Russia chemical production up 7.5% in January-March year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Russia’s output of chemical products increased by 7.5% in the first three months of the year, according to official data.

The Federal Service of State Statistics (Rosstat) said last month’s production of basic chemicals grew by 9.4% from March 2016, with benzene and caustic soda accounting for the greatest increase in the output.

268,000 tonnes of ethylene were produced in March, compared to 238,000 tonnes a month earlier. Overall, over 773,000 tonnes of this olefin were manufactured in the first three month of 2017, up by 8.2% year on year.

Such a major increase in the output was caused by stable operations of Angarsk Polymer Plant this year, whereas last year the plant shut down its production in early February due to technical issues.

Last month’s production of benzene rose to 131,000 tonnes from 117,000 tonnes in February. Overall output of this product exceeded 378,000 tonnes over the stated period, up by 13.6% year on year. The increase in production was ensured by Angarsk Polymer Plant.

March production of xylenes was 45,400 tonnes, compared to 44,000 tonnes a month earlier. January-March output of xylenes was 146,600 tonnes, down by 6.8% year on year.

March production of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) was 110,000 tonnes (100% of the basic substance), up by 12.1% year on year. Overall output of caustic soda grew to 307,900 tonnes in January-March 2017, up by 12.3% year on year. In February 2016, due to force majeure for ethylene supply, SayanskKhimplast was forced to shut down its caustic soda production, the outage continued until July. 

Last month’s production of mineral fertilizers was 1.83m tonnes (in terms of 100% nutrients), up 8.5% from February. Russian plants produced over 5.37m tonnes of fertilizers in the first three months of 2017, up by 8.3% year on year. Production of all types of fertilizers increased, with potash fertilizers, the output of which grew by 13.9%, accounted for the greatest increase.

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