MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russia's production of polyethylene (PE) grew in 2015 by 9% year on year and exceeded 1.591 million tonnes. Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) accounted for the most significant growth in the output, according to MRC ScanPlast report.
December total PE production in Russia dropped to 145,500 tonnes from 150,800 tonnes, production of all PE grades were reduced. Overall PE production exceeded 1.591 million tonnes from January to December 2015 versus 1.466 million tonnes a year earlier. LLDPE accounted for the most significant increase in production.
The PE production structure by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
Last month's total production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) dropped to 85,500 tonnes from 86,500 tonnes a month earlier. Stavrolen reduced its output because of a shutdown in the first decade of December. Russia's overall HDPE production reached 903,400 tonnes over the twelve months of 2015, up by 11% year on year. Stavrolen accounted for such a major increase in the output, thus offsetting the decrease in Nizhnekamskneftekhim's production (the plant significantly increased its LLDPE share in its portfolio last year).
December total production of low density polyethylene (LDPE) rose to 58,500 tonnes from 59,800 tonnes a month earlier, all producers reduced their output, except for Ufaorgsintez. Russian producers produced a little over 641,700 tonnes of LDPE in 2015, up by only 1% year on year. Only Tomskneftekhim and Gazprom neftekhim Salavat accounted for lower production.
LLDPE production exceeded 46,000 tonnes in 2015, whereas the figure of 2014 was 16,200 tonnes. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is Russia's only LLDPE producer.
MRC