PP imports into Russia rose by 4% in first eleven months of 2017

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) into Russia grew in January-November 2017 by 4% year on year to 160,800 tonnes.
Only delivery of propylene copolymers accounted for the increase in shipments, according to a MRC's DataScope report.

November imports of PP into Russia increased to 16,300 tonnes against 20,700 in October, the decrease accounted for homopolymer PP raffia grade and PP block copolymers. In general, imports of PP into Russia totalled 160,800 tonnes in January-November 2017, compared with 154,800 tonnes year on year. A serious reduction in external supplies was seen for homopolymer PP, while the largest increase in imports accounted for PP block copolymers.

Overall, the structure of PP imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.

November imports of homopolymer PP decreased to 4,500 tonnes against 7,500 tonnes a month earlier, shipments of homopolymer PP raffia from Central Asia decreased significantly, in particular, from Turkmenistan because of the preventive downtime of the local producer. Overall imports of this PP grade reached 57,200 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2017, compared to 68,400 a year earlier.

November imports of PP block copolymers in Russia decreased to about 3,300 tonnes against 5,200 tonnes in October. Local companies reduced their purchasing of PP block copolymers for non-pressure pipes extrusion and injection moulding in Europe. Imports of PP block copolymers into Russia reached 41,100 tonnes in January-November 2017, compared to 28,800 tonnes a year earlier.

Russia's imports of PP random copolymers in November were about 3,600 tonnes against 3,800 tonnes a month earlier on a seasonal factor local producers of pressure pipes reduced the purchase of PP. Total imports of PP random copolymers in Russia were 30,400 tonnes in January - November 2017, compared with 31,200 tonnes year on year. Imports of other propylene polymers for the reported period increased to about 36,500 tonnes compared with 26,500 tonnes in the same time a year earlier.


MRC

November imports of PC and compounds from the non-CIS countries were 1,210 tonnes versus 1,190 tonnes a month earlier.

Last month's imports of PC granules were 810 tonnes, compared to 770 tonnes in October. PC granules imports were 600 tonnes last November. Last month's imports of Covestro's PC granules were 300 tonnes, whereas Sabic's shipments were 350 tonnes and Lotte's imports - 70 tonnes.

PC granules imports grew by 32% year on year in January-November of 2017, excluding shipments from Belarus: from 7,200 tonnes to 9,500 tonnes. Imports of Covestro's PC granules reached in the first eleven months of 2017 3,900 tonnes, compared to 3,100 tonnes last year, whereas Sabic's shipments were 3,500 tonnes versus 2,000 tonnes.

Injection moulding grades accounted for 66% (6,200 tonnes) of the total PC imports, extrusion grades - for 29% (2,700 tonnes), blow moulding grades - for 5% (500 tonnes).

Shipments of Sabic's material from Belarus rose by 54% to 3,700 tonnes in January-September 2017 from 2,400 tonnes a year earlier.

Overall imports of PC and compounds increased by 30% in the first three quarters of 2017.

MRC

November EPS imports were 1,900 tonnes, compared to 1,700 tonnes a month earlier.

Styrochem's imports rose to 770 tonnes last month from 580 tonnes in October, Loyal's shipments were 490 tonnes versus 480 tonnes a month earlier, whereas BASF's imports were 250 tonnes versus 310 tonnes. Shipments from China reached 590 tonnes in November versus 560 tonnes a month earlier, accounting for 31% of the total EPS imports for the month versus a 33% stake in September.

In the total imports structure by producers, Styrochem's shipments rose by 18% to 6,800 tonnes from 5,700 tonnes a year earlier, which accounted for 35% of the total imports versus a 28% stake in January-November 2016. Loyal's share decreased in the first eleven months of 2017 to 22% (4,300 tonnes) year on year versus 24% (4,900 tonnes) a year earlier, BASF accounted for 14% (2,800 tonnes) versus 13% (2,600 tonnes), LG Chem - for 8% (1,500 tonnes) versus 6% (1,300 tonnes).

Overall imports of Chinese EPS dropped by 10% year on year in the first eleven months of 2017 to 6,300 tonnes from 7,000 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- NOVA Chemicals Corporation (NOVA Chemicals) announced two significant growth projects for its Ontario operations involving a capital investment expected to exceed CdnD$2 billion, said the company on its website.

This brings industry-leading manufacturing technology to Ontario, with improved product performance and increased energy efficiency.

The announcement marks the addition of two new large-scale capital investments in the Sarnia-Lambton region. The expansion of NOVA Chemicals’ Corunna cracker by approximately 50 percent will provide ethylene feedstock to a new polyethylene facility, NOVA Chemicals’ second Advanced SCLAIRTECH™ technology facility (AST2). The AST2 facility is designed to increase NOVA Chemicals’ polyethylene production capacity by approximately 950 million pounds (450 kilotons) per year. Site preparations are currently underway for both projects, with start-up targeted for late 2021.

"We are pleased to be moving forward with this growth opportunity and thankful for the support from the provincial government. With this investment, we are bringing innovation to the North American and global marketplace, investing in our highly skilled people and creating a solid future for the communities in which we operate. This was made possible by our talented teams across Canada, the strong support of the community and collaboration with Ontario," said Naushad Jamani, Senior Vice President, Olefins and Feedstocks, NOVA Chemicals.

Earlier this year, NOVA Chemicals acquired the Geismar Olefins Facility located in Louisiana, an operating facility with positive cash flow and significant opportunity for future growth. An additional opportunity to help meet the growing consumer demand for polyethylene continues to progress. Specifically, the proposed Joint Venture with Borealis and Total involving Total’s existing Bayport, Texas polyethylene facility, development of a new light feed cracker in Port Arthur, Texas and a new Borstar® technology polyethylene facility in Bayport, with expected start-up in 2020.

NOVA Chemicals develops and manufactures chemicals and plastic resins that make everyday life healthier, easier and safer. Our employees work to ensure health, safety, security and environmental stewardship through our commitment to sustainability and Responsible Care®. NOVA Chemicals, headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is wholly-owned ultimately by Mubadala Investment Company of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) — Britain's largest oil pipeline could shut down for weeks for unscheduled repair work, sending the price of crude to new 2-yr highs and triggering a steep rally in natural gas prices, just as a cold snap sweeps the country, said Reuters.

The Forties Pipeline System, which carries around 450,000 bpd of Forties crude from the North Sea to the Kinneil processing terminal in Scotland, had been operating at reduced capacity since Dec. 7 when a routine inspection revealed a small leak. Ineos, a privately owned Anglo-Swiss chemicals company, owns the pipeline and said it had taken the decision to close the system completely.

Oil traders estimated this was the first total closure since 2011, when then-operator BP shut it down while a suspected World War II bomb was removed from the seabed. "It's early days and it is premature to give a time frame for the repair work. We can't give a precise estimate other than to say it is a matter of weeks, rather than days," an Ineos spokesman said.

Ineos bought the Forties Pipeline System (FPS) from BP less than 2 mos ago for USD250 MM. The pipeline, which handles nearly a quarter of total North Sea crude output, is also a major route for bringing natural gas to Britain that has been produced offshore.

Britain is in the grip of a cold front that has brought heavy snowfall and prompted the closure of schools and disrupted travel across the country. Ineos, which also owns the 200,000-bpd Grangemouth refinery in Scotland, said the plant would have to seek "alternative supplies of crude", but that there was enough oil currently in storage at Grangemouth for the company to "manage the situation."

Fiona Legate, a senior analyst for the North Sea oil industry at consultant Wood Mackenzie, said even a temporary shutdown of the pipeline would have wide-reaching implications for the UK oil and gas industry. "FPS transports liquids from more than 80 fields, including the two largest producers in the UK—Buzzard and Forties," she said.

"The bulk of throughput from FPS comes from 10 fields ... In 2017, FPS transported more than 40% of liquids in the UK Continental Shelf." The price of Brent crude oil rose by nearly 2% on Monday to its highest since mid-2015, around USD65/bbl, while prices of Forties on the physical market traded at four-month highs. Forties is the biggest of the five North Sea crude oil streams that underpin the dated Brent price benchmark.
MRC