Russian producers increased PVC production by 75% in October

MOSCOW (MRC) -- In October, Russian makers increased PVC output to 57,600 tonnes, up 75% from September. Over the past ten months, the growth of PVC output in Russia made about 500,000 tonnes, according to MRC ScanPlast.

In October, Russian producers increased PVC production (suspension and emulsion) to 57,600 tonnes, up 75% from September. Such a low index in September was due to a scheduled outage for maintenance at Sayanskkhimplast in September and the forced reduction of capacity utilization following the limited supply of ethylene from Kaustic (Sterlitamak). Last month, Sayanskkhimplast and Kaustic (Sterlitamak) showed record production volumes.

In October, Sayanskkhimplast produced record 27,000 tonnes of suspension PVC. In 2011, the plant produced 259,300 tonnes of PVC and, in 2012, the facility is going to increase the production volume by 4% to the level of 270,000 tonnes. Sayanskkhimplast is conducting a scheduled reconstruction and modernization of the polymer complex. By 2014, the company plans to increase its production capacity of suspension PVC up to 350,000 tonnes. Kaustic (Sterlitamak) also increased its capacity utilization after September restrictions of ethylene supply. The plant produced over 19,000 tonnes of the resin, which is two times higher compared to September.

In general, over the past ten months, the total production volume of PVC in Russia made about 500,000 tonnes, up 8% year-on-year. The output of suspension PVC grew to the level of 482,900 tonnes, up 8% year-on-year. All Russian makers increased production volume of suspension this year with the exception of Kaustic (Volgograd).

The only producer of emulsion PVC, Khimprom (Volgograd), keeps decreasing its output. Over the past ten months, the production volume of emulsion declined to 17,200 tonnes, down 5% year-on-year.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - In October, the Russian producers increased the production of polypropylene (PP) to 54,800 tonnes. The ten months’ production of PP in Russia made about 541,800 tonnes, according to MRC SkanPlast report.

In October, Russian producers increased the production of polypropylene to 54,800 tonnes, up 8% from September.

So low September figures resulted from several factors. Firstly, Tomskneftekhim and Neftekhimiya (Kapotnya) in September stopped their capacities for a scheduled maintenance. Secondly, in September also Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Stavrolen reduced their PP production due to the maintenance work on the pyrolysis furnaces.

Last month, all Russian producers increased their PP production, with the exception of Neftekhimiya (Kapotnya) and Ufaorgsintez. The output of polymers of propylene at these enterprises amounted to about 4,000 tonnes and 10,900 tonnes respectively. Nizhnekamskneftekhim increased production to 18,000 tonnes, Tomskneftekhim to 12,800 tonnes and Stavrolen to 9,200 tonnes.

In general, the ten months’ total production of polypropylene in Russia amounted to 541,800 tonnes, down 5% compared to the same period last year. Long stoppage of Stavrolen (from mid-December to mid-March) was offset by the growth in production from Tomskneftekhim and Ufaorgsintez.


MRC

(chemicals-technology) -- PTT Global Chemical is in talks with oil company Pertamina regarding building a petrochemical plant in 2013 in Indonesia.

"In addition to the investments, the company desires to increase investment in Indochina, particularly in Myanmar."
PTT Global Chemical chief executive officer Anon Sirisaengtaksin was quoted by Nation Multimedia as saying that the deal will be completed in the first quarter of 2013.

According to Sirisaengtaksin the PTT Global has also planned to revise its USD4.5bn five-year investment plan, based on the poor global economic conditions.

PTT Global is focusing on investing in projects that will add value to its products and de-bottlenecking.
The company will invest in Indonesia and Vietnam, as both countries have growth potential and purchasing power in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).

In addition to the investments, the company desires to increase investment in Indochina, particularly in Myanmar.
PTT Global Chemical had a revenue of Bt423.9bn (USD434m) and a net profit of Bt23.61bn (USD428m) for the first nine months 2012.

Incorporated in late 2011 through a merger of PTT Chemical PCL and PTT Aromatics and Refining PCL, PTT Global Chemical has petrochemical capacity of 8.2 million tpy of olefins and aromatics and refining capacity of 280,000 bpd.
The Polymer product business produce a wide range of plastic products for use in various industries. Among the main products are HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, PS.
MRC

(Natinal Post) -- The Canadian Plastic Bag Association (CPBA), which represents manufacturers and distributors, has launched legal action over the City of Toronto’s looming plastic bag ban, arguing council failed to properly consult the public. The plastic bag ban of 'single use plastic shopping bags' (Resolution No. 2 in Item No. EX20.2 and confirmed by By-law No. 805-2012) is slated to take effect in January.

The association says its members would be "significantly impacted" by virtue of their substantial economic interest in the production and distribution of plastic shopping bags in Toronto.

The CPBA argues that the plastic bag ban is unlawful and that it was passed in bad faith because council has not received any advice, evidence, or opinion from its staff or any other person indicating that banning "single-use plastic carry-out (shopping) bags" would further the economic, social, and/or environmental well-being of the City or would protect the health, safety and well-being of any person.

We remind, that, as MRC informed earlier, in September the Delhi government imposed a blanket ban on the manufacture, storage and usage of plastic bags in the capital, regardless of thickness. This ban will curtail demand for PE film and coating grades, which are the raw materials in the production of plastic bags.

The Canadian Plastic Bag Association (CPBA) is an incorporated advocacy organization representing a wide range of manufacturers and distributors of plastic shopping bags throughout Canada. Its members service a variety of retail sectors in Toronto including supermarkets, department stores, discount stores, drug stores, convenience stores and many others.
MRC

(plastemart) -- The Asia-Pacific region will continue to dominate the ethylene market in the future and generate more than a third of the worldwide demand.

The pioneer in the Asia Pacific region will be China, rising to become the greatest ethylene consumer worldwide and will therefore drive out the United States to the second place, followed by Saudi Arabia. Asia Pacific had the largest capacity and demand shares of 38% and 65% respectively in the year 2010.

The rapidly growing economy combined with a huge population base is expected to lead the increased demand for PET in the Asia Pacific region in the near future. This increased PET demand is set to drive the growth of the Ethylene Glycol (EG) market in the region. The Asia Pacific EG market has witnessed a rapid growth in the last decade and its production capacity has nearly doubled from 2000 to 2010.

Leading regional players operating in the market include Formosa Plastics Group, Honam Petrochemical Corporation, Idemitsu Kosan Co., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Mitsui Chemicals, Nova Chemicals Corp, PEMEX Mexicanos, Royal Dutch Shell plc, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), Sinopec, Beijing Yanhua Petrochemical Co Ltd and SK Energy.

MRC