Russian producers decreased PP production in August by 10%

(MRC) -- In Russia production of polypropylene (PP) decreased by 10% to 52.6 KT in August from the previous month. The total volume of PP production over the eight months made 452 KT, according to MRC ScanPlast.

Scheduled maintenance stops of Tomskneftechem and Ufaorgsyntez capacities, as well as Stavrolen’s unscheduled stop in August resulted in decrease of PP output in Russia. On the whole, over the eight months, the total PP production in Russia increased by 10% year on year.

Production growth this year to a large extent has resulted from reduction of maintenance period. Neftekhimia (Kapotnya) and Ufaorgsyntez limited maintenance duration on several days.

Along with the production growth Russian producers expand the range of PP grades. Tomskneftechem (Sibur) is a leader in this field.Over eight months the company released more than 20 new grades of polymer. 

Tomskneftechem aims to expand its PP range to 69 grades. In August Ufaorgsyntez released a new grade- PP 01370 with high melt flow index. In the current year there were also some changes in the types of PP production.

Oversupplies of PP-homo in the Russian market, in particular, raffia, made some Russian producers increase propylene copolymer output. On the back of it propylene copolymer output grew by 38% year on year. The largest increase showed block propylene copolymers production.

Taking into account 2011 data, nearly 20% growth of PP production is expected. Commissioning of new facilities will also contribute to this. In Q4 a new PP production unit is launching in Poliom (Omsk) with 180 KT capacities. The new production is expected to work at full capacity by mid-2012. It is planned to organize several plants nearby to manufacture packaging, utensils, building materials. About 40% of Omsk production PP is going to be exported.

mrcplast.com