Russia’s HDPE output down 5% in January-February

MOSCOW (MRC)–Production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in Russia decreased to 154,900 tonnes in the first two months of the year, down 5% compared to the same period in 2016, according to MRC ScanPlast report.

February HDPE production in Russia stood at 70,400 tonnes, while in January it was about 84,500 tonnes.

The decrease in production volumes was a result of the reorientation of Nizhnekamskneftekhim to the production of linear polyethylene at the end of January.

Overall HDPE production exceeded 154,900 tonnes in January-February 2017, compared to 162,200 tonnes a year earlier.

The increase in production at the facilities of Kazanorgsintez and Stavrolen did not help to compensate the reduction in output at other enterprises.

Russia’s February HDPE production at Kazanorgsintez decreased to 39,500 tonnes from 41,500 tonnes a month earlier.

Overall HDPE production at Kazanorgsintez reached 81,000 tonnes in January-February 2017, compared to 79,700 tonnes a year earlier.

Stavrolen produced about 22,400 tonnes of HDPE in February, while in January it was produced about 25,700 tonnes. The producer”s HDPE output in Jan-Feb reached 40,100 tonnes, up 10% year on year.

Gazprom neftekhim Salavat produced 8,500 tonnes of HDPE in February, compared with 6,600 tonnes in January. Total HDPE production at the plant reached 15,100 tonnes in January-February 2017, down 24% year on year.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim switched to LLDPE C4 production in the second decade of January. Total PP production at the plant in January was about 10,700 tonnes.

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