MOSCOW (MRC) -- Due to a high level of capacity utilization, Russian PE producers managed to increase production of polyethylene to more than 150,000 tonnes in January, according to MRC ScanPlast.
Since November last year, the output of polyethylene has been increasing in Russia. In January, Russian producers showed a high level of capacity utilization, despite a serious decline in demand in all sectors of PE consumption. Makers of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) accounted for the main increase in the output. The total output of HDPE exceeded 92,000 tonnes, while the production of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) made about 58,000 tonnes. Russian makers did not produce LLDPE in January.
Last month Russian HDPE producers managed to keep 100% capacity utilization, despite low domestic demand, and reduced exports. In January, Kazanorgsintez retained December level of HDPE production - about 42,000 tonnes. Stavrolen increased production to 26,400 tonnes, Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced about 19,000 tonnes. Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat reduced the production volume of HDPE to 5,000 tonnes in January.
Producers of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) kept a high level of capacity utilization last month, except for Tomskneftekhim and Angarsk polymer plant. The total output of LDPE at these plants amounted to 20,600 tonnes and 4,500 tonnes, respectively. In January, the largest producer of polyethylene - Kazanorgsintez produced a little more than 21,000 tonnes of LDPE. The total output of low-density polyethylene by Ufaorgsintez and Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat made 8,000 tonnes and 3,500 tonnes, respectively.
MRC