MOSCOW (MRC) -- Production of expandable polystyrene (EPS) in Russia in January-October 2013 increased by 35% year on year and totalled 95,500 tonnes, according to MRC ScanPlast.
SIBUR-Khimprom and Angarsk Polymer Plant raised their capacity utilisation by 47% and 6%, respectively, this year, whereas Plastik (Uzlovaya) reduced its output by 10%.
SIBUR-Khimprom is the largest EPS producer in Russia. The plant has accounted for nearly 82% of the total EPS production in Russia since early 2013.
October EPS production in Russia grew by 2,200 tonnes from September and reached 10,400 tonnes. This figure was achieved by increased capacity utilisation at all three Russian plants.
The increased production of Russian EPS resulted in displacement of imported EPS from the domestic market. Thus, EPS imports into Russia dropped by 17% in January-October 2013 to about 60,000 tonnes.
MRC