Russia Jan-April HDPE production down by 6% year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in Russia fell to around 312,300 tonnes in the first four months of 2017, down 6% year on year, with Gazprom neftekhim Salavat and Nizhnekamskneftekhim showing a significant decrease, according to MRC ScanPlast report.

April HDPE production in Russia was 73,900 tonnes, while in March it was about 83,500 tonnes.

Kazanorgsintez and Stavrolen reduced their capacity utilisation because of shutdowns for maintenance at ethylene production capacities.

Overall HDPE output reached 312,300 tonnes in the first four months of 2017, compared to 330,700 tonnes a year earlier. Kazanorgsintez and Stavrolen’s higher output did not offset the reduction in production at the other two plants.

The structure of PE production over the reported period was as follows:

Russia’s April HDPE production at Kazanorgsintez decreased to 46,100 tonnes from 51,700 tonnes a month earlier. The producer’s total HDPE production was 178,800 tonnes in the first four months of the year, up 14% year on year.

Stavrolen produced about 18,400 tonnes of HDPE in April, while in January it produced about 25,000 tonnes. The plant’s HDPE output reached 91,500 tonnes in the first four months of 2017, up by 2% year on year.

Gazprom neftekhim Salavat increased its HDPE production to 9,400 tonnes in April because of a one-week shutdown for maintenance at the beginning of the month, compared to 6,700 tonnes a month earlier.

Thus, overall HDPE production at the Baskhir plant reached 31,300 tonnes in the first four months of 2017, down by 14% year on year.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim shifted to the production of linear polyethylene in the second half of January and returned to the production of HDPE only in May.

HDPE production at Nizhnekamskneftekhim 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.