PE imports to Ukraine down by 5% in January-October 2017

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into the Ukrainian market dropped in the first ten months of 2017 by 5% year on year to 204,500 tonnes. The greatest increase in demand occurred for high density polyethylene (HDPE), according to MRC DataScope.

October imports of polyethylene to Ukraine practically remained at the level of September and reached about 19,100 tonnes, local companies increased purchases of HDPE and low density polyethylene (LDPE). Overall PE imports decreased 204,500 tonnes in January-October 2017, compared to 216,400 tonnes a year earlier, on lower demand for LDPE and HDPE, while demand for other ethylene polymers increased.

Structure of PE imports over the reported period was as follows.


Last month, imports of HDPE into the Ukrainian market increased, and some local companies actively built up additional stocks of pipe and injection moulding HDPE. October HDPE imports into the country were about 6,900 tonnes, compared with 5,900 tonnes in September.
Overall HDPE imports decreased to 81,500 tonnes in the first ten months of the year, compared to 101,000 tonnes a year earlier. The most reduction in imports accounted in the film HDPE, resulting from the resumption of local production.

October LDPE imports grew to 6,000 tonnes from 5,600 tonnes a month earlier, with Russian producers accounting for the main increase in shipments. Overall LDPE imports exceeded 55,500 tonnes over the stated period, down by 1% year on year.

Last month's LLDPE imports were 4,900 tonnes, compared to 6,400 tonnes in September, with stretch films producers accounting for a decrease in demand. Overall LLDPE imports grew to 54,200 tonnes in January-October 2017 from 48,100 tonnes a year earlier. Producers of film products and large items, produced by rotational moulding, accounted for the main increase in demand.

Imports of other PE grades, including ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), totalled 13,300 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 11,400 tonnes a year earlier.


MRC

PET Technologies opens new production plant in Ukraine

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Blow moulding machinery supplier PET Technologies has opened a new production facility in Chernihiv, Ukraine to mark its 18th birthday, said Plasticsnewseurope.

The Neunkirchen, Austria-based supplier of blow moulding machinery, moulds, filling lines, PET bottle design and service, said the new site housed office and production spaces, including a 7.000 sq. m PET stretch blow moulding hall.

The company said it would be producing its automatic PET stretch blow moulder APF-Max, with output up to 14 000 bph, at the site.
MRC

Iran has exported 4.26 MMbbl of oil from South Pars since March

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Iran has exported about 4.26 MMbbl of oil from South Pars to international destinations since the beginning of the Iranian calendar year, which began in late March, Fardin Asadi, the manager for development of oil layers at South Pars, reported Reuters with reference to Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA).

South Pars is the world’s largest gas field which also has significant oil reserves. Approximately 25,000 bbl of oil are extracted from South Pars daily, Asadi told ISNA.

France’s Total signed a deal with Tehran in July to develop phase 11 of South Pars, marking the first major Western energy investment in Iran since the lifting of sanctions against the country last year.

Total will be the operator with a 50.1% stake, alongside Chinese state-owned oil and gas company CNPC with 30%, and National Iranian Oil Co subsidiary Petropars with 19.9%.

The field exported about $6.9 B worth of gas condensate, a 28% increase in the value of exports of that product over the same period last year, a customs official told state media in August.

As MRC infromed previously, in June 2017, Russian oil major Rosneft agreed to explore and develop five fields in Iraq's Kurdistan as the company seeks to become a key player in one of the world's newest and fastest-growing oil provinces.
MRC

Solvay Performance Polyamides announces price increase in Asia for Technyl polyamide compounds

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Solvay Performance Polyamides, a world leader in polyamide-based performance materials, announces a price increase across Asia of USD300 per metric ton for the entire Technyl range of products, effective immediately, as per the company's press release.

"The stringent environmental measures recently implemented by the Chinese government have a structural impact all along the polyamide chain in Asia, intensifying market tightness and rising supply costs," said Bertrand Lousteau, Head of Asia-Pacific for Solvay Performance Polyamides Global Business Unit. "This game-changing context makes such a price rise necessary to restore a sustainable margin level in the region."

As MRC wrote before, in July 2016, Solvay completed the divestment of its shareholding in Inovyn (London), bringing to an end Solvay's chlorvinyls joint venture with Ineos. Solvay received exit cash proceeds amounting to EUR335 million (USD370.7 million). The dissolution of the jv follows regulatory clearances from the relevant authorities.

Solvay, with a market share 27%, is the second largest PVC manufacturer in Europe, after Kerling with 29% of the market. Solvay is headquartered in Brussels with about 30,900 employees spread across 53 countries. It generated pro forma net sales of EUR12.4 bn in 2015, with 90% made from activities where it ranks among the world’s top 3 players.
MRC

First phase of CITGO Aruba Refinery camp almost complete

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The first phase of an envisioned 1,500-bed man camp that will house workers needed to support the CITGO Aruba Refinery refurbishment project on the island is almost complete, according to Hydrocarbonprocessing.

This first construction phase of the man camp - which will be situated in the same location used by the refinery's previous operator consists of dormitory buildings and service facilities that can house up to 400 workers.

Construction of the man camp has positively impacted the economy of the island, with engineering and construction activities employing nearly 150 local residents, as well as procurement activities for materials and services.

Over the next several weeks, work at the man camp site will continue, with full completion scheduled for the 1Q 2018.
MRC