Russia polymers products June output higher as lockdowns ease

MOSCOW (MRC)–Russia’s output of products from polymers rose by 17% in June due to the easing of quarantine restrictions and seasonally stronger demand, following a decline in May, according to MRC analysts.

In the first half of 2020, polymers products output increased by 1.3% year on year.

The Russian Federal State Statistics Service said June production of unreinforced and non-combined films grew to 114,700 tonnes from 101,000 tonnes a month earlier.

Output of films products rose in the first six months by 10.7% year on year to 618,600 tonnes.

June production of non-porous boards, sheets and films went up to 36,200 tonnes from 33,000 tonnes in May. Overall output of these products reached 196,700 tonnes in January-June 2020, up by 6.8% year on year.

Production in June of porous polymer boards, sheets and films was 27,900 tonnes, up by 25.1% month on month. Overall output of these products reached 135,100 tonnes in the first half, compared to 124,000 tonnes a year earlier.

June production of plastic bottles and flasks fell to 1.8bn items from 1.96bn a month earlier. Overall output of these plastic products totalled 10.72bn units over the stated period, compared to 10.40bn a year earlier.

Production in June of polymer pipes, hoses and fittings was 64,500 tonnes versus 56,500 tonnes in May. Overall output of these products was 314,700 tonnes in January-June 2020, up by 16.2% year on year.

June production of sacks and bags from ethylene polymers reached 2.98bn units compared to 2.55bn a month earlier. Overall output of these plastic products totalled 14.66bn units in the first six months of 2020, compared to 11.96bn a year earlier.

Production in June of linoleum and floor coverings was 15.4m square metres (SQM), compared to 8.6m SQM a month earlier. Overall output of these products totalled 64m SQM over the stated period versus 67.6 SQM a year earlier.

June production of plastic windows and door blocks reached 2.39m SQM and 85,600 SQM respectively, versus 1.82m SQM and 69,200 SQM a month earlier.

Overall output of these plastic products totalled 11.3m SQM and 416,000 SQM respectively, compared to 9.89m SQM and 427,300 SQM a year earlier.

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