Russia’s PE output up 1% in January-October

MOSCOW (MRC)–Russia’s production of polyethylene (PE) grew by 1% year on year in the first ten months of 2017 to 1.4m tonnes, according to MRC’s ScanPlast report.

The linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) segment accounted for the greatest increase in the output.

October overall PE production decreased to 105,500 tonnes, whereas this figure reached 122,600 tonnes a month earlier, with high density polyethylene (HDPE) accounting for the main decrease in the output.

Overall PE production reached 1,407,600 tonnes in January-October 2017, compared to 1,400,000 tonnes a year earlier.

Output of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and LLDPE increased, whereas HDPE production decreased.

October HDPE production fell to 46,400 tonnes from 66,500 tonnes a month earlier, with the largest producers – Kazanorgsintez and Stavrolen – shutting their production capacities for maintenance in September.

Russian plants’ overall HDPE output reached 760,600 tonnes in January-October 2017, down by 8% year on year.

Last month’s overall LDPE production rose to 59,100 tonnes from 48,900 tonnes in September.

Two producers – Tomskneftekhim and Angarsk Polymers Plants – simultaneously increased their output.

Overall LDPE production exceeded 540,000 tonnes over the stated period, up by 5% year on year.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim, Russia’s only LLDPE producer, significantly increased its output this year, its LLDPE production was about 107,000 tonnes in the first ten months of 2017, whereas this figure did not exceed 57,700 tonnes a year earlier.

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