Q1 Russia polypropylene production decreases by 3%

MOSCOW (MRC)–Polypropylene (PP) production in Russia decreased to 353,900 tonnes in the first quarter, down 3% year on year, according to MRC ScanPlast.

March PP production in the country increased to 119,600 tonnes, compared with 108,700 tonnes in February. SIBUR Tobolsk and Stavrolen increased their production rates.

Total PP production in Russia reached 353,900 tonnes in Jan-March 2017 against 361,400 tonnes, an increase showed Stavrolen, Ufaorgsintez and Poliom.

The structure of PP production over the reported period looked as follows:

The largest producer of PP in Russia, SIBUR Tobolsk, in March produced about 48,200 tonnes against 34,800 tonnes a month earlier. Tobolsk-Polymer’s PP production reached 129,500 tonnes in Q1 2017, practically the same as in Q1 2016.

March production at Poliom was about 17,000 tonnes, while a month earlier this figure was 16,800 tonnes. Total PP production at the plant over the reported quarterly period was about 52,400 tonnes, up 5% year on year.

Stavrolen (LUKOIL) increased capacity utilisation in March, total polypropylene production had increased to 11,100 tonnes against 10,100 tonnes in February. Overall PP production at the plant exceeded 30,600 tonnes in January-March, up 5% year on year.

March PP production at Ufaorgsintez decreased to 9,100 tonnes from 10,300 tonnes a month earlier. The producer reduced capacity utilisation because of  technical problems at the propylene preparation site. PP output at Ufaorgsintez increased to 30,200 tonnes in January-March 2017 compared with 29,900 tonnes year on year.

March PP production at Nizhnekamskneftekhim increased to 18,900 tonnes from 16,900 tonnes a month earlier. The producer’s PP production in Q1 remained the same from last year’s level of 54,600 tonnes.

Tomskneftekhim also increased production volumes in March, and the final production of propylene polymers was 11,700 tonnes against 11,100 tonnes in February. Total PP production at Tomskneftekhim  over the reported period reached 34,800 tonnes, compared with 35,600 tonnes year on year.

Neftekhimiya (Kapotnya) shut its production capacities for turnaround in March, as a result PP production decreased to 3,600 tonnes compared with 8,600 tonnes a month ago. The producer’s PP output in Jan-March reached 21,800 tonnes, one third down year on year.

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