Russia LDPE production up 9% in January-April

MOSCOW (MRC)–Production of low density polyethylene (LDPE) in Russia increased to about 221,800 tonne in the first four months of 2017, up 9% year on year, according to MRC ScanPlast report.

April LDPE production in Russia was 45,100 tonnes, while in March it was about 59,600 tonnes. The reduction in output was a result of the long-term shutdown of Kazanorgsintez for scheduled maintenance in April-May.

Overall LDPE output reached 221,800 tonnes in the first four months of 2017, compared to 203,300 tonnes a year earlier.

Tomskneftekhim produced about 23,200 tonnes of LDPE in April, while in March it was produced about 24,700 tonnes. The plant’s LDPE output reached 88,400 tonnes in the first four months of 2017, up by 3% year on year.

April LDPE production at Kazanorgsintez decreased to 6,600 tonnes from 19,200 tonnes a month earlier on the back of scheduled shutdown.

The producer’s total LDPE production was 66,400 tonnes in the first four months of the year, up 4% year on year.

Ufaorgsintez increased LDPE production to 8,300 tonnes in April, compared with 7,900 tonnes in March, while output LDPE totalled 32,900 tonnes in January – April of this year, down 2% year on year.

April LDPE production at Angar ZP decreased to 3,600 tonnes from 4,500 tonnes a month earlier. Angar ZP’s LDPE production reached 20,700 tonnes in the first four months of the year, compared with 6,400 tonnes year on year. The low level the production in 2016 was a result of the long forced shutdown of capacities in February-July due to a breakdown in the ethylene production.

Gazprom neftekhim Salavat last month increased capacity utilisation, total LDPE reached 3,500 tonnes against 3,500 tonnes in March. Overall LDPE production at Gazprom neftekhim Salavat exceeded 13,400 tonnes over the stated period, down by 3% year on year.

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