MOSCOW (MRC) – Scheduled maintenance at several RussianLDPEunits in September will result in rising prices – according to MRC’s analysts. On Thursday, many trading companies suspended LDPE sales. The market came to a standstill awaiting higher prices and lack of material.
Production capacities in Angarsk and Salavat will be shut down for scheduled repairs early in September. Kazanorgsyntezand Neftekhimsevilen will be suspended later. Many companies accumulate additional stocks for that period.
Strong demand for the 153rd LDPE grade caused unprecedented rise in prices at the end of the last week. Polyethyleneprices went up to RUB47.500-48.000/mt, including VAT. Temporary suspension of production of the 158th LDPE grade in Kazan and forthcoming scheduled repairs, bigPEexports from Tomsk and expectation of the next increase in prices made some trading companies suspend sales of the 158th LDPE grade.
The market is expected to become more stable next week when Russian producers decide on Septemberprices.