PVC production in Russia rose by 6% in Jan-Apr

Some Russian producers reduced their capacity utilisation in April, the total output of unmixed PVC was 75,400 tonnes versus 81,500 tonnes a month earlier. Overall PVC production reached 322,200 tonnes in January-April 2018, compared to 302,600 tonnes a year earlier. All plants raised their production, with SayanskKhimPlast accounting for the greatest increase in the output.

The structure of PVC production by plants looked the following way over the stated period.

RusVinyl (joint venture of SIBUR and SolVin) produced 20,900 tonnes of PVC in April, with 1,700 tonnes accounting for emulsion polyvinyl chloride (EPVC), compared to 30,800 tonnes a month earlier. The Nizhny Novgorod producer shut down its production for a scheduled turnaround in the third decade of April. The maintenance was finished in early May. Thus, RusVinyl's overall production of resin reached 105,500 tonnes in the first four months of 2018 versus 102,600 tonnes a year earlier.

SayanskKhimPlast increased its capacity utilisation last month, the plant's production of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) reached 24,300 tonnes, whereas this figure was 19,800 tonnes in March. The Sayansk plant managed to produce 96,200 tonnes of resin in the first four months of the year, compared to 83,500 tonnes a year earlier.

Bashkir Soda Company (BSC) produced 22,300 tonnes of SPVC in April, whereas 22,900 tonnes were produced in March. The Bashkir plant's overall production of resin was 89,100 tonnes in January-April 2018, up by 3% year on year.

Kaustik (Volgograd) slightly reduced its production last month, the plant's overall SPVC output was 7,900 tonnes versus 8,000 tonnes in March. The plant's overall production of resin reached 31,400 tonnes over the stated period versus 30,300 tonnes a year earlier.

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MOSCOW (MRC) - May contract price of ethylene in Europe was agreed up by EUR20/tonne from the April level.
However, European producers increase only high density polyethylene (HDPE) prices for the May supplies in the CIS countries, according to the ICIS-MRC Price Report.

Negotiations on May PE shipments from Europe to the CIS markets began last week. But the increase in the price of ethylene in the region led to an increase in the export prices for only certain types of polyethylene for buyers from the CIS.

Prices for low density polyethylene (LDPE) were rolled over from April level. Negotiations on May shipments of HDPE were conducted in the range EUR1,020-1,100/tonne FCA, up EUR20/tonne from the April price level. There were no restrictions for May PE supply from European producers.

Prices of black PE 100 grew by EUR20/tonne in most cases and were discussed in the range of EUR1,300-1,360/tonne FCA. Most producers have serious export restrictions this month, and many companies have not been able to close their needs in full.

Deals for May shipments of LDPE were discussed in the range of EUR1,050-1,110/tonne FCA, which practically the same as in April.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Extrusion machinery maker Davis-Standard LCC used the NPE2018 trade show as the forum to unveil what it calls "the next evolution" of its global brand, as per Canplastics.

"The new identity and messaging strategy is designed to better express [our] customer-centric and forward-looking business approach, and also to provide customers and prospects with a more unified and compelling visual experience when interacting with Davis-Standard marketing and web resources," the Pawcatuck, Conn.-based company said in a statement.

The previous Davis-Standard brand dates back to the 1950s-60s, when Ben Davis joined Standard Machinery Co. to create the Davis-Standard name. The original company, Reliance Machinery Co., was founded in 1848 and manufactured cotton gins and paper binding machines. Extrusion was developed in the 1950s.

"We previously branded ourselves as ‘The Global Advantage,’ and we’ve executed that by expanding our global facilities and capabilities over the years. But now the focus is now more squarely on helping our customers execute, to better understand their requirements, to build stronger relationships and trust, and to provide the best total solutions," Davis-Standard president and CEO Jim Murphy said. "We felt our brand wasn’t fully reflective of our standing in the industry; we now have a brand that better speaks to our leadership. We have been on an upward trajectory and now is the time for our brand to embody what we have become, and still intend to become."

The company’s new tag line – "Where Your Ideas Take Shape" – is what Murphy describes as the brand’s exclamation point. "It reflects our intent to help customers create a better future, doing it with collaboration and teamwork,” he said. "We need to do this with each other within Davis-Standard and in partnership with our customers."

The brand refresh includes a new logo – the first logo update in nearly 50 years – and a brighter image. It also includes an updated brand story and a new website.
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MOSCOW (MRC) -- Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPP), Houston, has entered the first of three cryogenic natural gas processing plants at its operations in Reeves County, Tex., near Orla, as per Ogj.

The 300-MMcfd Orla 1 train, which is also equipped to extract more than 40,000-b/d of NGLs, began commercial operations as of May 2, EPP said. Alongside commissioning of Orla 1, the partnership also entered into service about 70 miles of high-pressure residue gas pipeline connecting the plant to its existing intrastate gas pipeline system and a 30-mile extension of its NGL system to provide producers with takeaway capacity and direct access to EPP’s integrated network of NGL assets.

Startup of the Orla 1 train will be followed by commissioning of the Orla 2 train in fourth-quarter 2018 and the Orla 3 processing train in 2019, the operator said. Once completed, the three trains will be able to process up to 1 bcfd of gas and have the capacity to produce 150,000 b/d of NGLs.

"The start of operations at our Orla natural gas processing complex will facilitate continued growth of natural gas and NGL production in the Permian basin, which is expected to double over the next 4 years," said A.J. Teague, chief executive officer of EPP’s general partner.

Completion of the three trains at Orla, along with EPP’s existing assets, will increase the operator’s Permian processing capacity to 1.5 bcfd, and when combined with EPP’s extensive integrated midstream network that includes its NGL fractionation and storage complex in Mont Belvieu, Tex., Orla will support Delaware basin producers with flow assurance and access to expanding domestic and international markets, Teague said.
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MOSCOW (MRC) – The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) today unveiled plans to invest AED 165 billion (USD45 billion) alongside partners, over the next five years, to become a leading global downstream player, enabling it to further stretch the value of every barrel it produces to the benefit of ADNOC, its partners and the UAE, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The plans were unveiled at the ADNOC Downstream Investment Forum, which took place today in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The unprecedented investment program will underpin a new downstream strategy to significantly expand ADNOC’s refining and petrochemical operations at Ruwais in the UAE, and undertake highly targeted overseas investments to secure greater market access.

Building on the existing strengths and competitive advantages of the Ruwais Industrial Complex, ADNOC will create the world’s largest and most advanced integrated refining and petrochemicals complex. Through a combined program of strategic partnerships and investment, ADNOC will increase its range and volume of high-value downstream products, secure better access to growth markets around the world and create a manufacturing ecosystem in Ruwais that will significantly stimulate In-Country Value creation, private sector growth and employment. The strategy is expected to add more than 15,000 jobs by 2025 and contribute an additional 1% to GDP per year.

H.E. Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of State and ADNOC Group CEO, said: "Given the projected increase in demand for petrochemicals and higher value refined products, we are repositioning ADNOC to become a leading global downstream player. We will invest significantly in Ruwais and open up attractive partnership and co-investment opportunities along our extended value chain to create a powerful new downstream engine and springboard for growth that will benefit our country, our company and our partners."

"Importantly, the expansion plans for Ruwais will also support Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s economic development and diversification, create high-skilled jobs and enhance the country’s status as a globally attractive destination for energy investments", he added.

ADNOC’s downstream investment plans are in line with its 2030 strategy of a more profitable upstream, more valuable downstream and sustainable, economic gas supply, underpinned by more proactive and adaptive marketing and trading. Building on its legacy of success, ADNOC has undertaken a significant group transformation program over the last two years. The business has improved operational efficiency, enhanced performance and realigned the management of its portfolio of assets and capital to create a new and expanded partnership and investment model.

ADNOC is now accelerating this transformation by unveiling its plans to become a leading global downstream player. The new strategy will be supported by ADNOC’s 45 year plus legacy of a unique and open approach to partnerships, built on the UAE’s bedrock values, reliability and attractiveness. ADNOC will again look to create long term downstream partnerships, providing access to the most attractive parts of the energy value chain, to redefine ADNOC’s future growth.
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