Russia’s HDPE output drops 3% in Jan-May

MOSCOW (MRC)–Production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in Russia decreased to about 405,300 tonnes in the first five months of 2017, down 3% year on year, according to MRC ScanPlast report.

Producers Gazprom neftekhim Salavat and Nizhnekamskneftekhim showed a decrease in production.

May HDPE production in Russia was 93,000 tonnes, while in April it was about 73,900 tonnes.

The main increase in production was provided by Nizhnekamskneftekhim.

Overall HDPE output decreased 405,300 tonnes in the first five months of 2017, compared to 418,000 tonnes a year earlier.

Kazanorgsintez and Stavrolen’s higher output did not allow to offset the reduction in production at the other two plants.       

Russia’s May HDPE production at Kazanorgsintez decreased to 40,100 tonnes from 46,100 tonnes a month earlier. The producer’s total HDPE production was 222,900 tonnes in the first five months of the year, up 12% year on year.

May HDPE production at Stavrolen reached about 24,800 tonnes against 18,400 tonnes in April.

The low figure for April was a result of ten-day scheduled maintenance works. The plant’s HDPE output reached 116,300 tonnes in the first five months of 2017, up by 9% year on year.

Gazprom neftekhim Salavat produced 10,200 tonnes of HDPE in May, compared with 9,400 tonnes in April. Thus, overall HDPE production at Gazprom neftekhim Salavat reached 41,500 tonnes in the first five months of 2017, down by 9% year on year.

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

HDPE production at the Tatar plant was 13,900 tonnes over an incomplete month of work. Overall HDPE production at the plant in January-May was only 24,600 tonnes compared with 67,100 year on year.

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