HDPE production in Russia decreased by a quarter in H1

MOSCOW (MRC) – In H1 2012, the total production of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in Russia amounted to about 343,000 tonnes, nearly a quarter less year on year, according to MRC analysts.
Russian producers in June increased the output of HDPE to 59,000 tonnes, while in May this figure was about 43,000 tonnes. Stavrolen still stands idle. Moreover, Nizhnekamskneftekhim switched to the production of linear polyethylene, which resulted in the reduction of HDPE production in May.

Russia's largest producer of polyethylene Kazanorgsintez last month actually kept production of high-density polyethylene (taking into account the calendar factor) at the level of May.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim in early June had to continue production of LLDPE, the total volume of PE production amounted to about 16,000 tonnes. Gazprom neftekhim Salavat in June increased production of HDPE more than three times. In May, due to the technical problems the production of HDPE has been reduced to 1,300 tonnes.

In general, in H1 2012, the total output of HDPE by Russian producers made about 343,000 tonnes, down 24% year on year. The main reason for the decline was the stoppage of Stavrolen, but the plant intends to resume production of polyethylene in early September.

mrplast.com

MOSCOW (MRC) – The total PP production volume in Russia made about 322,000 tonnes year-to-date, down 6% year-on-year, report MRC analysts.

Russian makers produced 59,000 tonnes of PP in June, down 3% from May.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Stavrolen managed to increase their output last month while the other makers reduced their production volumes. The further decline in PP output is expected due to the unscheduled shutdowns (Tomskneftekhim) and scheduled outages for maintenance (Ufaorgsintez and Stavrolen).

There were slight changes in PP production in June. Propylene copolymer production was reduced in favor of PP-homo, particularly, raffia, on upcoming July outages for maintenance (Ufaorgsintez and Stavrolen).

In general, in the first half of the year the total PP output of Russian makers made about 322,000 tonnes, down 6% year-on-year. Almost all Russian makers have improved their production performance this year. The only exception is Stavrolen, which resumed its PP production only in mid-March due to December breakdown in 2011.

MRC

(mfrtech) -- W. R. Grace & Co. has signed a multi-year agreement with Braskem to develop process technologies and catalyst solutions to produce green chemicals. The agreement is intended to advance the commercialization of a process to convert renewably sourced feedstocks into value-added products.

"This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to become a leading supplier of catalysts to the renewable chemicals industry."

The use of renewable feedstocks is a growing trend in the global chemical industry. The technology under development in the Grace-Braskem collaboration is based on carbon sources from renewable agricultural processes that contribute to lower carbon emissions than traditional feedstocks.

"We are pleased to have the opportunity to work in cooperation with the world leader in green plastics," said George Young, Vice President of New Business Development at Grace. "This collaboration demonstrates our commitment to become a leading supplier of catalysts to the renewable chemicals industry."

Braskem is a global leading producer of biopolymers and has announced plans to expand production of sugar-based bio-polyolefins. "We continue to innovate to meet market needs for more sustainable solutions," said Edmundo Aires, Vice President of Corporate Innovation and Technology at Braskem. "We're convinced this partnership will enable us to do this better."

Braskem is the leading thermoplastics resin producer in the Americas, with a goal of becoming the world leader in sustainable chemistry by 2020.

Grace is a global supplier of innovative catalyst technologies with a leading position in the petroleum refining and polyolefin market segments.
MRC

(prw) -- Rehau has opened what it claims is the first UK facility to produce pre-insulated pipework for the heating and biomass sectors. The move, part of a GBP3.4m investment programme at its factory in Blaenau, North Wales, secures jobs at the site.

Up until now, the whole of the UK market has relied exclusively on imports of this type of pipework, according to Rehau, which has seen sales of its Rauvitherm product more than double during the past year, driven by the booming UK biomass and district heating markets and, more recently, by the impact of the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Martin Hitchin, Rehau’s chief executive, said: "Despite the fact that it is a global group, Rehau has long had a policy of producing locally wherever possible and this investment is very much in line with that. It is further evidence of our commitment to reducing carbon emissions across the entire supply chain and of securing that supply chain on behalf of our customers."

The official opening of the facility was attended by Elfyn Llwyd MP, Lord Dafydd Elis-Thomas, representatives from the Department for Energy and Climate Change and customers.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) – In H1this year, the total production of unmixed polyvinylchloride in Russia made about 322,300 tonnes, up 21% year on year, according to MRC analysts.

Russian producers in June increased their output of suspension and emulsion PVC to 54.000 tonnes, while in May this index was about 50,000 tonnes. Last month almost all Russian producers increased their production of polyvinylchloride, the exception made only Sibur-neftekhim because of scheduled stop on the turnaround.
Russia's largest producer of suspension PVC Sayanskkhimplast last month increased its output up to 24,800 tonnes, from about 21,000 tonnes in May.

In June, Caustic (Sterlitamak), in fact, retained the May level of capacity utilization – 18,100 tonnes. Caustic Volgograd (formerly Plastcard) after the technical problems in May, increased its production to 7,100 tonnes.

Sibur-Neftekhim, on the contrary, due to a short stop on the turnaround reduced the production volume to 2,200 tonnes.

Russia's only producer of emulsion PVC - Khimprom (Volgograd), produced in June about 1,900 tonnes of resin.

In general, in the first half of this year, the total output of unmixed polyvinylchloride from Russian producers amounted to about 322,300 tonnes, up 21% year on year. The production of suspension PVC has increased by 22% and eceeded 312,200 tonnes. The main increase in production provided Caustic (Sterlitamak) and Sayanskkhimplast, the growth in production of these producers was 41% and 25% respectively. At the same time the production of emulsion PVC decreased by 8% to 10,000 tonnes.

MRC