GS Caltex set up polymer compounds unit in Czech Republic

(Plastemart) -- In an effort to diversify its overseas business portfolio, GS Caltex Co. has set up a unit in the Czech Republic to produce and sell polymer compounds. To be located in Karvina, the plant is expected to have annual sales of 100 bln won (USD 93.8 mln), and construction is expected to be completed next year. GS Caltex is South Korea's second-largest refiner. The unit, GS Caltex Czech, will start to build a plant later this year. Europe is one of the biggest polymer compounds markets, with demand estimated to have reached 1.2 mln tpa.

MRC

The most considerable reduction of resin output was observed in the second quarter that was stipulated by scheduled maintenance of Chemprom (Volgograd), Sayanskchemplast, Plastkard and Sibur-neftehim.

Also one of the reason for output decrease was a long-term ethylene price conflict between Kaustik (Sterlitamak) and Gazprom neftehim Salavat.

Rapid increase of PVC processing made the Russian market a pure net importer. Since 2005, import supplies of PVC had been exceeding exports. By 2011, a share of import PVC in the Russian market had surpassed 50%. Over the six months, overall imports only of suspension PVC exceeded 247 KT.

In late May 2011, Group of companies Lukoil launched production of suspension PVC at Karpatneftehim in Ukraine. Investments in the project (German Vinnolit technology) made more than USD 500 mln. In June, the plant made 8.85 KT of suspension PVC.

Not earlier than in 2013, the Russian-Belgium JV Rusvinyl plans to launch a new PVC plant in Nizhegorod region with capacities of 330 KTa.


MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Over the five months, investments in production of PS heat insulation and decoration materials grew 6.5 times compared to 2010, according to MRC DataScope: Equipment. Three fourths of investments fell at production of XPS-insulation.

According to MRC analyst Asima Mamedova, the growth of capacities in this sector made 12 KTa. In the sector of EPS-plates and decorative products capacities grew by 11 KT.

During 2009-2010 we had been observing considerable reduction of investments in the building sector. Main market players didn't hurry to increase their capacities, as a result, capital investment reduced 10 times compared to peak 2008, Asima Mamedova said.

Return to pre-crisis consumption of feedstock in this sector stimulated main market players to expand their production sites. Among such companies: Tehnonikol and Tehnolog (XPS-plates), Mosstroy-31 (EPS-plates), VBM Pro-Rjazan that produces formworks.

Detailed analysis on investments in equipment for polymers processing by technologies and sectors, finished goods and companies is presented in a monthly MRC report DataScope: Equipment.

MRC

MOSOW (MRC) -- During the five months of 2011 polypropylene (PP) goods production capacities in Russia grew by 120 KTa, , according to MRC DataScope: Equipment.

Significant growth of capacities was in IM goods sector - about 35 KTa per year, says Olga Sinelnikova, the analyst of MRC. PP pipes production capacities in 2010 grew by 50 KT, for January-May by 8.5 KT. PP sheet and film production capacities grew by 21 and 14 KTa respectively.

Setting up production sites of foreign companies such as Opel, PSA Peugeot Citroen, Mitsubishi Motors, Mazda and localization requirements promoted production development of car components. According to MRC Annual report Polypropylene in Russia - 2011: IM capacities gain in this sector made 24.5 KT in 2010. There are two biggest investors in the sector in 2011 - Krista and Avtoframos. Schlemmer is establishing new car components production in Russia. Nizhnekamskneftekhim plans to launch car components productions in SEZ Alabuga.

Compared to 2010, PP market grew by 22% to 783 KT in Russia, according to MRC Annual report Polypropylene in Russia - 2011. PP production made 585 KT (+4%). There was a sharp deficit of raw material in the market, which absorbed by rapidly increasing imports. At the end of the year import made record 200 KT.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In January-May the growth of capacities of polyethylene (PE) processing in Russia made 150 KTa, according to MRC DataScope: Equipment.

In 2011 the structure of PE processing investment is changing against 2010 - says Olga Sinelnikova, the analyst of MRC.

Almost the half of investments in 2011 made in polyethylene tubes production (+56 KTa). The biggest investments were made by Polyplastic Group and Techstroi.

According to MRC Annual report Polyethylene in Russia - 2011: the biggest capacities gain in 2010 was marked in the sector of films(+162 KTa). During the five months of 2011, capacities gain in films production made 43 KTa. Production of films with high barrier properties is developing in the sector. There was noticeable investment of Polymer company (Desnogorsk city) in 9-layer film line Reifenhauser in 2011.

According to Rosstat data, polymer pipe production in January-May 2011 has 43% grown comparing with the same period of the previous year, while consumtion of pipe HDPE up 38%, - according to MRC analysts.

Detailed analysis on investments in polymers processing by technologies, sectors, finished goods, countries-suppliers and types of equipment is presented in MRC report DataScope: Equipment.

MRC