HDPE production in Russia dropped 2% in Q1 2017

MOSCOW (MRC)–Russia’s production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) decreased in the first three months of 2017 by 2% year on year, totalling 238,400 tonnes as Gazprom neftekhim Salavat and Nizhnekamskneftekhim reduced their output significantly, according to MRC’s ScanPlast Report.

Total HDPE production in Russia for March was 83,500 tonnes, whereas this figure reached 70,400 tonnes a month earlier. Kazanorgsintez and Stavrolen accounted for a major increase in capacity utilisation.

Overall, HDPE production reached 238,400 tonnes in the first three months of 2017, compared to 243,400 tonnes a year earlier. Kazanorgsintez and Stavrolen’s higher output did not offset the reduction in production at the other two plants.

Kazanorgsintez’s March HDPE production exceeded 51,700 tonnes versus 39,500 tonnes a month earlier. Overall HDPE production at Kazanorgsintez reached 132,700 tonnes in January-March 2017, compared to 121,700 tonnes a year earlier.

Stavrolen produced about 25,000 tonnes of HDPE last month, whereas it manufactured 22,400 tonnes in February. The plant’s HDPE output reached 73,100 tonnes in the first three months of 2017, up by 11% year on year.

Gazprom neftekhim Salavat reduced its HDPE production to 6,700 tonnes in March because of a one-week shutdown for maintenance at the beginning of the month, compared to 8,500 tonnes a month earlier. Thus, overall HDPE production at the Baskhir plant reached 21,800 tonnes in the first three months of 2017, down by 19% year on year.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim switched to linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) output in the second half of January and plans to resume HDPE production only in May. HDPE production at the Tatar plant was 10,700 tonnes over an incomplete month of work.

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