PS consumption in Ukraine increased by 25% in January 2014

MOSCOW (MRC) - Demand for polystyrene (PS) and styrene plastics in Ukraine grew to 3,400 tonnes in January 2014, up 25% from January 2013, according to MRC Monthly Report.

Buying activity in PS market increased in January because converters aimed to build up their inventories anticipating price rise in the foreign markets and a sharp devaluation of the hryvnia.

Many companies said despite the decline in the activity in the market of finished goods they feared a rise in PS prices, that is why they had increased their purchases.

Because of strong demand in the domestic market in January, Stirol shipped general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) practically to the domestic market only. Sources at the plant also reported a strong demand for Ukrainian expandable polystyrene (EPS) and GPPS this year. However, the producer did not meet the demand because of emty stock inventories and low production rates.

As reported previously, January imports of polystyrene and styrene plastics to Ukraine was 3,100 tonnes, down 2% from January 2013.
However, imports of expandable polystyrene (EPS), on the contrary, increased to 1,100 tonnes in January 2014, down 81% from January 2013.

Demand for polystyrene and styrene plastics will improve in the coming months, helped by the seasonal increase in activity and production rates.



MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Russian producers of high density polyethylene (HDPE) continue to keep high level of capacity utilisation, despite the low seasonal demand. Production of Russian HDPE increased by 6% in January 2014, compared with January 2013, according to MRC ScanPlast.

Demand for PE is traditionally weak in January. However, despite the low demand Russian producers kept a high level of capacity utilisation in January 2014. January HDPE production rose to 97,500 tonnes in the Russian market, compared with 92,000 tonnes in January 2013 (in December 2013 it was 93,700 tonnes).

Nizhnekamskneftekhim (Taif) and Gazprom neftekhim Salavat (Gazprom) increased their HDPE output in January 2014. Production of HDPE at these plants exceeded 16,500 tonnes and 9,000 tonnes respectively.

Russia's largest producer of polyethylene - Kazanorgsintez (Taif) kept capacity utilisation in January 2014 at the level of December 2013.
January HDPE production at the producer's capacities exceeded 45,100 tonnes.

Stavrolen (LUKOIL) slightly decreased its capacity utilisation in January, total HDPE production at the plant was about 26,700 tonnes.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Strong demand from the domestic market and scheduled outages for maintenance at some polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plants in the United States continue maintaining export prices high. March offer prices for the CIS markets start from USD1,080/tonne, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

Strong demand from the domestic market and the upcoming long shutdowns for maintenace works at Westlake and Shin-tech's plants led to a serious reduction in export PVC quotas for March shipments in the US. PVC export prices for March shipments exceed USD1,080/tonne for the CIS markets amid limited export quotas and higher ethylene prices.

Negotiations over March PVC shipments from the United States began this week. Offer prices for the CIS markets were heard in the range of USD1,080-1,100/tonne CFR St Petersburg and CFR Odessa, Novorossiysk, whereas February shipments were negotiated at USD1,050-1,070/tonne CFR St Petersburg and CFR Odessa, Novorossiysk.

Many market participants have refrained from purchasing PVC in the United States so far. The main reason for this is the weakening of the national currency against the dollar (in Russia - 6%, in Ukraine - 8.5%). Weak seasonal demand for finished products and consequent serious limitations of current assets also force them to refrain from purchasing North American resin.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Grand Pacific Petrochemical Corp has shut a styrene monomer (SM) plant for maintenance turnaround, as per Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in Taiwan informed that the plant was shut on February 15, 2014. It is likely to remain off-stream till March 11, 2014.

Located at Tashe in Taiwan, the plant has a production capacity of 130,000 mt/year.

As MRC wrote previously, Idemitsu Kosan, one of Japan’s largest refining and petrochemical companies, is in plans to shut its SM plant for maintenance turnaround in April 2014. It will remain off-stream for around one month. Located in Chiba, Japan, the plant has a production capacity of 210,000 mt/year.

Besides, Taiyo Petrochemical is in plans to shut its SM plant for maintenance in September 2014. The shutdown is expected to remain in force for around 30 days. The plant is currently operating at full production capacity levels. Located at Ube in Japan, the SM plant has a production capacity of 370,000 mt/year.

Also, another major Asian petrochemical producer Samsung Total is likely to shut its No.1 SM plant for maintenance turnaround in March 2014. It is likely to remain off-stream for around one month. Located in Daesan, South Korea, the No.1 SM plant has a production capacity of 650,000 mt/year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- PolyOne Corporation, a premier global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions, has announced the hiring of Cathy K. Dodd as vice president, marketing, reported the company on its site.

Ms. Dodd succeeds Julie A. McAlindon who was promoted to president of PolyOne's Designed Structures and Solutions following the acquisition of Spartech. Ms. Dodd will be responsible for developing and executing PolyOne's marketing strategy and leading all corporate marketing functions to achieve the company's objectives of profitable sales growth, innovation, specialty mix improvement and value creation.

Ms. Dodd joined PolyOne from Eastman Chemical Company where she served in strategic marketing roles, including director of downstream engagement and design, as well as director of global chemicals marketing. In addition she worked at Honeywell International as brand manager for FRAM and Autolite, as well as global market manager for healthcare specialty films. Ms. Dodd began her career at Ashland Oil, serving in various marketing, supply chain and commercial roles.

Ms. Dodd earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in marketing and management from the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky.

As MRC informed previously, The Board of Directors of PolyOne Corporation has recently declared a quarterly cash dividend of USD0.08 per share on the common stock outstanding. Dividend is to be paid on April 4, 2014, to stockholders of record on March 14, 2014.

PolyOne Corporation is a global provider of specialized polymer materials, services, and solutions. PolyOne is a provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions with operations in specialty polymer formulations, color and additive systems, polymer distribution and specialty vinyl resins.
MRC