MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russia's output of chemical products increased by 6.9% in the first four months of the year, as per Rosstat's data.
The largest increase in output occurred for the benzene and caustic soda, as per the Federal State Statistics Service. According to the Federal Service of State Statistics, last month's production of basic chemicals grew by 5.2% from April 2016. Total production of key chemicals in the country grew by 6.9% in the stated period. Benzene and caustic soda accounted for the greatest increase in the output.
April production of ethylene was 234,000 tonnes compared with 268,000 tonnes in March on the back of scheduled maintenance works at Kazanorgsintez and Stavrolen. Overall, over 1.0 m tonnes of this olefin were manufactured in the first four month of 2017, up by 8.4% year on year.
Last month's production of benzene dropped to 105,000 tonnes from 131,000 tonnes in March on the back of shutdown at two productions. Overall output of this product exceeded 483,000 tonnes over the stated period, up by 12.5%year on year. The increase in production was ensured by Angarsk Polymer Plant.
April production of xylenes was 43,600 tonnes, compared to 45,400 tonnes a month earlier. January-April output of xylenes was 190,200 tonnes, down by 4.6% year on year.
April production of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) was 98,900 tonnes (100% of the basic substance), down 11.4% year on year. Overall output of caustic soda grew to 406,800 tonnes in January-March 2017, up by 9.6% year on year. In February 2016, due to force majeure for ethylene supply, SayanskKhimplast was forced to shut down its caustic soda production, the outage continued until July.
April production of mineral fertilizers was 1.757 mln tonnes (in terms of 100% nutrients), down 4.9% from the March level. Russian plants produced over 7.125 mln tonnes of fertilizers in the first four months of 2017, up by 7.4% year on year.
Production of all types of fertilizers increased, with potash fertilizers, the output of which grew by 14%, accounted for the greatest increase.
MRC