Temporary trouble in Russian film-grade HDPE market

In July PE production was suspended at Stavrolen due to technical problems. Also Salavatnefteorgsyntez was forced to shut down HDPE and LDPE production due to accident at ethylene supply at the beginning of the month. However, improvement is expected in the Russian market next two weeks. Kazanorgsyntez and Nizhnekamskneftehim are going to increase domestic shippings, Stavrolen and Salavatnefteorgsyntez are going to resume the production. Current price offers for small available film-grade HDPE volumes fluctuate depending on a region in the range of RUB 55.500 - 57.000/mt, including VAT, FCA. Price for future volumes is on the average level RUB 53.500 - 54.500/mt.

MRC

For more information please refer to MRC ⌠Polyethylene in Russia Price reports.

(RBC) -- LUKOIL board of directors has approved the administration staff where vice-president and head of main petrochemicals sales coordinating administration Vadim Vorobyev together with vice-president and head of strategy and economics administration Gennadiy Fedotov made the debut.

They took places of vice-president, head of main technical administration Jevan Cheloyants and vice-president, head of main control and internal audit Vagit Sharifov.

MRC

(prw) -- Engel has delivered its first Ecodrive model in the UK to Agentdraw, the Leicester based design specialists with in-house toolmaking and moulding.

The 400 tonne tiebarless machine is equipped with Engel's new energy saving Ecodrive system, which was showcased at the PDM10 exhibition in May.

Agentdraw specified a large 90mm plasticizing unit, giving a shot weight capability of over 2.5 kg, and it selected the largest platen size available.

MRC

(plastemart) -- Saudi Aramco and Dow Chemical Co have extended a deadline for companies to qualify for bidding to build a giant petrochemical project. This is an indication of the certainty of the project despite earlier doubts about the cost.

Originally the plant was to be built at Ras Tanura and get integrated with an expansion of the refinery. Relocate of the project to Jubail is expected to save around US$5 bln.

Besides saving money for reclaiming land at Ras Tanura, the new location will benefit from existing infrastructure in place, and synergies with an existing refinery at Jubail and a new one under construction.

MRCMRC Reference

Share in the Russian market, 2008:

polyethylene - 2.5% (including LLDPE - 33.1%);

polypropylene - 0.8% (including PP-impact - 1.1%);

polystyrene - 2.6%.

Annual sales growth in Russia, recent 5 years:

polyethylene - 55%;

polypropylene - 28%;

polystyrene - 2%.

Imports by processing technologies:

pipe extrusion;

film extrusion;

sheet extrusion;

foaming.

(plastemart) -- Polypropylene producer Petroquim has restarted operations in Chile after being out of service since February 2010, following an earthquake. Production rates are very low at about 10,000 tons, at the 100,000 tpa plant as the testing phase is currently underway at the plant, until everything is normalized. The PP plant stopped operations due to feedstock constraints caused by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake damaged the refinery that provides the feedstock.

MRC