PVC production in Russia rose by 25% from January to July 2015

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The overall production of unmixed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in Russia increased over the first seven months of 2015 by 25% year on year and totalled 473,500 tonnes. RusVinyl accounted for the lion's share of the production growth, Bashkir Soda Company also increased its ouput significantly, according to MRC ScanPlast report.

All Russian producers increased their PVC production in July, the overall output totalled about 75,000 tonnes versus 66,600 tonnes a month earlier. Russia's total production of unmixed PVC reached 473,500 tonnes from January to July 2015 versus 379,400 tonnes a year earlier. RusVinyl and Bashkir Soda Company (BSC) increased theri production significantly this year.

The PVC production structure by producers looks the following way over the stated period.

SayanskKhimplast raised its output to 22,100 tonnes last month from 20,100 tonnes in June. And since August 9, the plant has stopped its production for a scheduled maintenance. The Sayan plant produced 140,900 tonnes of PVC over the first seven months of 2015, down by 22% year on year. This year's lower supplies of ethylene from Angarsk Polymer Plant was the main reason for the plant's reduced production.

BSC produced 21,700 tonnes of PVC in July 2015, wheras the June figure was 20,400 tonnes. The overall output of resin at the Bashkir plant rose to 147,000 tonnes over the said period, up by 11% year on year. As reported previously, in 2016, the plant plans to increase its production capacity to 240,000 tonnes per year.

RusVinyl (JV of SIBUR and SolVin) raised its capacity utilisation last month, the total PVC production was 23,100 tonnes (including 500 tonnes of emulsion PVC), whereas the plant's June PVC output was 18,400 tonnes. From January to July 2015, the plant's overall production of resin totalled about 130,000 tonnes, of which 3,300 tonnes accounted for emulsion PVC.

Kaustik (Volgograd) also slightly increased its production in July, last month's PVC production of the plant totalled 8,100 tonnes versus 7,900 tonnes a month earlier. The plant produced a total of 55,700 tonnes of resin over the stated period, virtually down by 1% year on year.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Shenyang Chemical has taken off-stream a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) plant for a maintenance turnaround, as per Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in China informed that the plant was shut early last week. It is likely to remain off-stream till end August 2015.

Located in Liaoning province, China, the LLDPE plant has a production capacity of 100,000 mt/year.

As MRC informed previously, in late July 2015, Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical shut its LLDPE plant for maintenance. It is likely to remain off-stream for around one month. Located at Nanjing in China, the plant has a production capacity of 200,000 mt/year.

Besides, PetroChina, China's largest oil and gas producer, restarted a high density polyethylene/linear low density polyethylene (HDPE/LLDPE) plant following maintenance turnaround in early June 2015. It was shut on April 10, 2015. Located in Dushanzi, China, the plant has a production capacity of 660,000 mt/year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- PPG Industries announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire the remaining interest in Chemfil Canada Limited, a joint venture of PPG and Madinal Enterprises, as per producer's press release.

The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to customary closing conditions. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Chemfil Canada produces pretreatment products, as well as some general industrial chemicals, for automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and industrial customers in Canada.

The acquisition will enhance PPG’s pretreatment presence and capabilities in Canada, and after closing the acquired products and services will be offered under the PPG name. Also at the conclusion of the transaction, an affiliate of Madinal Enterprises will own the Windsor production facility and certain non-pretreatment business and product lines that will continue to use the Chemfil name.

As MRC informed earlier, in June 2015 PPG Industries agreed to acquire US-based IVC Industrial Coatings for an undisclosed amount.

PPG Industries, Inc. (PPG) is a global supplier of protective and decorative coatings. Performance Coatings, Industrial Coatings and Architectural Coatings- EMEA segments supply protective and decorative finishes for customers in a range of end use markets, including industrial equipment, appliances and packaging; factory-finished aluminum extrusions and steel and aluminum. Founded in 1883, PPG has global headquarters in Pittsburgh and operates in nearly 70 countries around the world. Reported net sales in 2014 were USD15.4 billion.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Borouge has selected Neste Jacobs, a technology, engineering and project management company, as a front-end engineering and design (FEED) service contractor for its polyethylene (PE) plant modification project, located in the Ruwais industrial area of the UAE, said Hydrocarbonprocessing.

This project is the third FEED project in a row which Neste Jacobs is delivering to Borouge in the UAE under the long-term service contract that was previously signed between the two companies (Tier 1 contract).

"This contract is an important milestone in cooperation and partnership between Neste Jacobs and Borouge," said Jarmo Suominen, CEO of Neste Jacobs. "This project is also a proof that we are generating real added values for our customers and provide high quality services competitively in the Middle East and also globally."

The project scope includes FEED services such as process and plant engineering and project management. The project will be executed by Neste Jacobs' Abu Dhabi office, and it will be delivered within the course of year 2015.

"Neste Jacobs' extensive know-how of our polyethylene process technology and our production plants combined with Neste Jacobs' local presence in the Middle East were some of the most important selection criteria for choosing a FEED contractor," said Abdulla N. Ateya, senior vice president of Borouge's technical group.

"Neste Jacobs is our long-term engineering partner and we are very much looking forward to extending our good cooperation with them," he added.

As MRC informed earlier, Borealis and Borouge, the world's leading providers of innovative, value-creating solutions for the wire and cable industry, continue to deliver on their commitment to driving innovation in the global industry. Borealis and Borouge have developed new products such as Borealis PP4874 for data cables and Borealis LE0563 for submarine power cable jackets, which will be showcased at the 2014 Wire Dusseldorf. Thus, the company is going to launch its two new grades at the event.

Borouge is a joint venture between the Abu Dhabi National Oil company and Borealis.

Borealis is a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers. Borealis is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and operates in over 120 countries with around 5,300 employees worldwide.

MRC