Russian PVC market recovering from crisis

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In Q1 2010 PVC consumption in Russia 2010 formed about 202 kt, standing between the levels of 2007 (186 kt) and 2008 (236 kt), according to MRC Monthly reports.

According to MRC data, Russian PVC market demonstrates readiness to reach the level of October 2008 volumes at the beginning of Q4 2009 while reaching the figure of 78 kt. Falling demand in Q1 2009 (by 39% to 145 kt), comparing to similar period in 2008 (236 kt), was almost compensated in 2010 - 202 kt consumption level. Production volumes in Q1 2010 almost correspond to pre-crisis January-March 2008 - about 152 kt, the increase compared to 2009 formed 17%.

In Q1 PVC import supplies formed over 50 kt. Seasonal shelter has possibly held the sharp elevation of imports in total. As MRC analysts tell, 5% decrease of custom tariff for PVC import is going to stimulate growth of this material's imports. PVC imports have been 20% growing since February, and April volumes two times exceed the figures in January (about 14 kt).

With the beginning of spring 2010 construction market reanimated and is showing growth signs. So, according to Rosstat data, plastic windows and windowsills production in April has 25% grown comparing with March (comparing with April 2009 - 18% increase). Window profile imports in 2009 formed 36.3 kt, which is 2,5 times less than 2009 volumes.

MRC

For more detailed event analysis and PVC market development forecasts please refer to MRC Annual reports.

(plastemart) -- Post merger of their ethylene operations, Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp. and Asahi Kasei Corp. plan a 30% reduction in ethylene capacity, trimming production costs by 3-4 bln yen by 2012. The two petrochemical majors will merge their ethylene operations under a 50-50 joint venture on April 1, 2011 to run their plants at a petrochemical complex in Okayama Prefecture. Each ethylene plant has an annual output capacity of 500,000 tons, together accounting for 12% of total output capacity in Japan.

Over the past many years, Japan's ethylene crackers have operated at near full run rates on growing demand in China. A supply glut from the feedstock advantaged Middle East (offering material at less than 10% of prices in Japan) as well as increasing capacity in China will result in reduced demand in the Japan. Mitsubishi and Asahi anticipate that domestic production capacity will rise to 30% more than market demand and domestic consumption. If automakers and electronics firms move production overseas, demand will continue to shrink. This could lead to further consolidation by the two partners into one plant, a move that would cut costs by 8-9 billion yen.

MRC

SITTARD (omnexus) -- With the new PP random copolymer 'SABIC PP Qrystal', SABIC claims to provide optical performance in their products while making energy savings during production.

SABIC PP Qrystal is a random copolymer that was recently developed with both the final product and the process in mind.

It is highly transparent, offers good antistatic properties and meets the precise demands of markets such as injection-molded houseware, office and home storage, lids and cap & closures. The levels of transparency and gloss make the resulting products highly competitive on the shelf.

MRCMRC Reference

Sabic. The share in the Russian market in 2008:
PE - 0.2%;
PP - 0.4%;
PS - 0.2%.

Annual sales growth in Russia over the last 5 years:
PE - 33%;
PP - 62%.

MOSCOW (SIBUR) -- SIBUR vice-president Petr Degtyarev has been appointed to the seat of Oil and Gas Director in Department of Energy of Russian Federation.

Petr Degtyarev came to SIBUR in 1999 as leading manager in production administration. In 11 years Mr. Degtyarev was taking up posts of head of a department in production administration, deputy head of material source administration, petrochemical department director, hydrocarbon supplies department director, hydrocarbon and monomer primary processing department director, deputy head of monomer and liquid chemical production administration, deputy head of plastics and organic synthesis administration. In 2006 Petr Degtyarev was appointed to the seat of operations vice-president.

Petr Degtyarev has played a significant role in creation and development of the biggest petrochemical holding in Russia. The company is hoping that experience and knowledge will promote the confident growth of Russian petrochemistry.

MRC
MRC Reference

Sibur Holding is the largest Russian petrochemical group.

Shareholders:
Gazprombank (70% minus 1 share);
Gazfond (25% plus 1 share);
5% reserved for option program.

The share in the Russian market in 2008:

polyethylene - 11.1%;

polypropylene - 16% (including PP-random - 11.2%);
ABS - 5.2%;
PVC - 8.1%.

(plastemart) -- Abu Dhabi-based polymer manufacturer Borouge has inked an agreement to build a second production plant in China's Guangzhou to produce 105,000 tpa of compounded polypropylene. Construction work on the plant is expected be completed by the middle of 2012, while investment outlay has not been disclosed. The new compounding plant will also benefit from the Application Research and Development Centre being established in Shanghai and the Innovation Centre being built in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

MRCMRC Reference

Borealis. The share in the Russian market in 2008:

polyethylene - 4.1% (including HDPE - 4.7%, LLDPE - 8.7%);
polypropylene - 3.2% (PP-impact - 7.5%).

Annual sales growth in Russia over the last 5 years:
polyethylene - 11%;
polypropylene - 6%.

Leader in polymers processing technologies:
extrusion coating;
cable extrusion;
injection molding.