Russia’s Jan-Nov HDPE production up by 6.5% year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Russia’s production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) was about 877,600 tonnes in January-November, up 6.5% year on year, although not all Russian producers raised their output, according to MRC’s ScanPlast report.

November HDPE production in Russia grew to 81,700 tonnes compared to 64,200 tonnes a month earlier. Capacities of the two largest producers, Kazanorgsintez and Stavrolen were shut for the repair in October.

Overall HDPE production reached 877,600 tonnes in the first 11 months of 2018, compared to 824,300 tonnes a year earlier.

All producers increased their output volumes with the exception of Nizhnekamskneftekhim, which reduced production in favour of linear polyethylene (LLDPE).

The structure of polyethylene (PE) production by plants looked the following way over the stated period:

Kazanorgsintez’s total HDPE output increased to 45,800 tonnes in November from 16,800 tonnes a month earlier. The Kazan producer shut down its production capacities for almost a one-month scheduled turnaround on 25 September.

The Kazan plant’s overall HDPE production was 465,500 tonnes in January-November, up by 1% year on year.

Stavrolen produced about 25,600 tonnes last month versus 18,600 tonnes in October, the Budenovsk producer took off-stream its production capacities for maintenance in the first decade of October.

The plant’s overall HDPE output reached 266,700 tonnes in the first 11 months of 2018, up by 24% year on year.

Such a large increase in the output was caused by the absence of a long scheduled maintenance this year.

Gazprom neftekhim Salavat shut its capacities in November for a short scheduled shutdown, with about 8,200 tonnes produced, compared with 11,500 tonnes in October.

The Bashkir plant’s total HDPE output reached 109,000 tonnes in the first 11 months of 2018, up by 30% year on year.

Such a large increase in output was caused by the absence of a long scheduled turnaround this year, as was the case with Stavrolen.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced HDPE only in April-May and in late September during the stated period. Thus, the Nizhnekamsk producer manufactured only 43,800 tonnes of HDPE over an incomplete four months of operations, versus 65,600 tonnes a year earlier.

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