Russia January-August PE production up 6% year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Production of polyethylene (PE) in Russia reached about 1,179,500 tonnes in first eight months, up 6% year on year, with the largest increase recorded in the linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) sector, according to MRC ScanPlast.

August PE production decreased to 136,200 tonnes from the previous month when it was 144,300 tonnes, with the main decline in low density polyethylene (LDPE).

Overall PE production reached 1,179,500 tonnes in the first eight months of the year, compared to 1,117,900 tonnes a year earlier. The production of LDPE and LLDPE increased, while the output of high density polyethylene (HDPE) decreased.

The structure of PE production over the reported period looked as follows:

Russia’s August HDPE production increased to 74,400 tonnes from 72,900 tonnes a month earlier. In general, total volume of HDPE output by Russian plants reached 647,700 tonnes in January-August, down 4% than in 2016.

August LDPE production in the country decreased to 46,100 tonnes, compared with 52,800 tonnes in July. All three producers decreased production volumes –  Tomskneftekhim, Ufaorgsintez and Kazanorgsintez.

Overall LDPE production in the country exceeded 432,100 tonnes over the stated period, up by 10% year on year.

The only producer of linear polyethylene in Russia – Nizhnekamskneftekhim – this year significantly increased output with the final figure for LLDPE production for eight months at around 100,000 tonnes, while a year earlier this figure did not exceed 49,000 tonnes.

MRC, a partner of ICIS, produces polymers news and pricing reports from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.