MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russia's output of chemical products dropped in March by 2.3% year on year. Thus, this figure increased by 2.1% in the first quarter of 2018, according to Rosstat's data.
According to the Federal Service of State Statistics, last month's production of basic chemicals fell by 2.3% from March 2017, output of ethylene, some polymers and rubbers decreased. Overall production of chemical products grew in January-March 2018 by 2.1% year on year.
264,000 tonnes of ethylene were produced in March, compared to 245,000 tonnes a month earlier. 783,000 tonnes of this olefin were produced in the first three months of the year, up by only 1% year on year.
Last month's production of benzene rose to 134,000 tonnes from 125,000 tonnes in February. Overall output of this product reached 389,800 tonnes over the stated period, up by 3.5%year on year.
March production of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) was 112,000 tonnes (100% of the basic substance) versus 104,000 tonnes a month earlier. Overall output of caustic soda grew to 329,000 tonnes in January-March 2018, up by 2.9% year on year.
Last month's production of mineral fertilizers was 2,046,000 tonnes (in terms of 100% nutrients) versus 1,967,000 tonnes in February. Overall, Russian plants produced about 6,032,000 tonnes of mineral fertilizers in the first three months of 2018, up by 4.4% year on year. Phosphorous fertilizers accounted for the greatest increase in production - up by 7.2% year on year.
MRC