Russia HDPE imports fall 4.3% in January-August

MOSCOW (MRC)–Production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in Russia decreased to around 647,100 tonne in the first eight months of 2017, down 4.3% year on year, according to MRC’s ScanPlast Report.

August HDPE production in Russia grew to 73,800 tonnes, whereas this figure was about 72,700 tonnes a month earlier.

Overall HDPE production reached 647,100 tonnes in the first eight months of the year, compared to 676,200 tonnes a year earlier.

Russia’s August HDPE production at Kazanorgsintez increased to 47,000 tonnes from 46,800 tonnes a month earlier. The producer’s total HDPE production was 363,300 tonnes in the first eight months of the year, up 10% year on year.

August HDPE production at Stavrolen reached about 25,400 tonnes against 25,800 tonnes in July.

Stavrolen shut its capacity for two months of maintenance works for the modernisation of part of the facilities from 16 September. The plant’s HDPE output reached 193,600 tonnes in the first eight months of 2017, up by 7% year on year.

Gazprom neftekhim Salavat shut down its HDPE capacities on 1 July for long-term turnaround, which lasted until the year end, so for a few days of work in August, the producer managed to produce 1,400 tonnes of HDPE.

Overall HDPE production at Gazprom neftekhim Salavat reached 52,900 tonnes in the first eight months of 2017, down by 28% year on year. Such a noticeable decrease in the volume of output was a result of long preventive maintenance, whereas last year the company worked without long-term turnaround.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim in late June, switched to the production of linear polyethylene and plans to resume the production of HDPE only on 15 September. Overall HDPE production at the plant in January-August was 37,100 tonnes compared with 92,500 tonnes year on year. Such a tangible reduction in output was a result of the increase in the share of LLDPE in total production.

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