At approximately 3.15am on Thursday 11 July 2013, the Qenos Plastics PE Plant experienced a gearbox problem on a recycle compressor. As a consequence, the reactor shutdown system was activated and as designed, the hydrocarbon in the process was sent initially to the ground flare and then the elevated flare. Information on the flares at Plastics is available on this website.

The noise perhaps heard by local residents was the ground flare. With the flaring and noise, particularly at this time of the night, it is understandable that some residents may have been concerned. At no stage, was there any risk to community, or our employees at the plant.