MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russia's production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) decreased in January-December 2017 by 10% year on year to 898,000 tonnes. All Russian producers reduced their output, with Kazanorgsitez being the exception, according to MRC's ScanPlast report.
December production of HDPE in Russia increased to 73,700 tonnes, whereas a month earlier this figure did not exceed 63,700 tonnes. Gazprom neftekhim Salavat and Stavrolen increased PE production. Overall HDPE production reached 898,000 tonnes in 2017, compared to 1,000,000 tonnes a year earlier. Only Kazanorgsintez increased its production, whereas other producers reduced their output because of different reasons.
The structure of HDPE production by plants looked the following way over the stated period.
Russia's December HDPE production at Kazanorgsintez increased to 47,500 tonnes from 46,500 tonnes a month earlier. The Kazan plant's overall HDPE production was 507,700 tonnes in January-December 2017, up by 4% year on year.
Stavrolen last month increased the production of HDPE for long-term preventive maintenance, but did not reach 100% of capacity utilisation. December HDPE production grew to 17,700 tonnes, compared with 8,700 tonnes in November. The plant's HDPE output reached 232,600 tonnes in 2017, down by 14% year on year.
Gazprom neftekhim Salavat decreased capacity utilisation in December, producing about 8,500 tonnes of HDPE against 7,700 tonnes in November (the producer shut the plant for a week long maintenances in November). Overall HDPE production at the Bashkir plant reached 92,200 tonnes in January-December 2017, down by 15% year on year. This year's low production was caused by a long shutdown for maintenance in July-August.
Nizhnekamskneftekhim switched over to production of linear PE in the early November. Thus, only 65,600 tonnes of HDPE were produced in 2017, whereas in 2016 this figure was 135,600 tonnes. Such a noticeable reduction in the output was caused by an increase in the share of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) in the total production.
MRC