Global refining catalyst market driven by growth in hydroprocessing

(hydrocarbonprocessing) -- Refining catalysts are experiencing strong growth this year, driven by demand for cleaner fuels, increasing use of heavier and dirtier feedstocks and major additions to refining capacity.

Refining catalysts are moving to a more balanced market, the report says, shifting from one characterized by oversupply to a more stable sales effort.

The market picture for hydroprocessing catalyst supply and demand continues to evolve, the report says.

Hydroprocessing catalysts are the fastest-growing refinery catalysts, according to ReportsnReports. These catalysts help control and improve the operational efficiencies in the petroleum refining process.

Hydroprocessing catalysts are also used to create cleaner fuels, especially ultra-low-sulfur diesel (ULSD).

Demand is lower for the more mature FCC catalysts than the hydroprocessing catalysts, allowing hydroprocessing catalysts to pass FCC catalysts and become the largest segment of the refinery catalyst market.
MRC

Chineese government raises fuel prices

(news.flanders-china) -- The Chinese government raised fuel prices on March 20 by a larger than expected 6% to 7% to help refiners reduce losses.

Retail prices for gasoline and diesel were raised by CNY600 per ton, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said.

The last increase was on February 8 when prices went up by CNY300 per ton. PetroChina Chairman Jiang Jiemin said earlier this month that its refining loss last year was larger than the CNY50 billion expected and was still widening.


MRC

China PVC traders forced to keep domestic prices low despite global uptrend

(chemmonitor) -- Global polyvinyl chloride (PVC) manufacturers have executed a series of price increases in the current year. The shifts were based on more expensive feedstock and tighter supply.

However, China-based PVC companies did not succeed in their attempts to enhance prices in the country's market. This is partially explained by the poor downstream demand. Most users adopted a cautious position and mainly obtain the product on a hand-to-mouth basis.

MRC

Gulf countries to proceed with plastics industry expansion

(chemmonitor) -- An 11 percent share in the global market for plastics currently belongs to Gulf countries. The latter ones register annual growth of the plastics industry by one tenth on average.

The Oman's industry expands by around 3.5 percent per year. The country houses several prominent propylene and polyethylene (PE) production facilities. They are located at Salalah and Sohar. Besides, over 48 smaller units are situated in the territory of the Sultanate.

The industry rise is mainly based on the boost of the world demand for the materials.
MRC

Production of bulk polymers in Ukraine grew by 1.5 times

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In January-February, overall production of bulk polymers in Ukraine increased by one and half year on year and made 57,581 tonnes, according to a MRC ScanPlast. In February, total production of bulk polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride and polystyrene) in Ukraine grew to 30,251 tonnes, the largest increase in production fell made PVC.


Before seasonal growth of demand Karpatneftekhim (Lukoil Group) increased its production volume of PVC to 14,583 tonnes, thus increasing capacity utilization to 60%. In January, the production rate made 9,295 tonnes. Production of PVC is expected to increase further in March, with more than 11,000 tonnes of resin will be sent to export markets. The calendar factor decreased production of polyethylene in February to 8,748 tonnes. In general, in January-February, total production of HDPE in Ukraine made more than 18,000 tonnes, which was actually equal to the same period last year.

Last month production of polypropylene fell to 6,170 tonnes. In March, the Ukrainian producer Linik suspended for an indefinite time the refining, the production capacity of polypropylene made 60%, due to the work at imported feedstock.


In April, production of polypropylene is possible to stop. The two months production of polypropylene made about 14,400 tonnes, which was 19% down, compared to the year before.
In February, there was a small increase in production of polystyrene. Last month Concern Stirol produced only expandable polystyrene with the output amounted to 750 tonnes. In January, production of general purpose polystyrene made about 440 tonnes.


In January-February, overall production of bulk polymers in Ukraine grew by nearly 50% compared to the same period a year ago and amounted to 57,581 tonnes. Such a significant increase in production to a greater extent resulted from the start of production of suspension PVC by Karpatneftehim last May.


MRC