PE imports to Russia rose by 8% in Jan-Apr

April PE imports to the Russian market were 48,800 tonnes, compared to 52,200 tonnes a month earlier, local companies increased their purchasing of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and EVA. Overall PE imports reached 187,300 tonnes in the first four months of 2018 versus 173,300 tonnes a year earlier. The HDPE and EVA segments accounted for the increase in imports, whereas LLDPE and LDPE segments accounted for the decrease in imports.

The structure of PE imports looked the following way over the stated period.

April HDPE imports fell to 21,000 tonnes from 22,300 tonnes a month earlier, local companies reduced their purchasing of film grade HDPE in Uzbekistan. Overall HDPE imports reached 80,000 tonnes over the stated period versus 60,900 tonnes a year earlier; shipments of film grade and blow moulding PE increased significantly.

Last month's LLDPE imports were 12,600 tonnes, compared to 14,600 tonnes in March, local companies reduced their shipments of film grade PE. LLDPE imports totalled 48,300 tonnes in January-April 2018 versus 58,700 tonnes a year earlier, Nizhnekamskneftekhim's increased output was the main reason for lower dependence on imports.

April LDPE imports virtually dropped to 7,100 tonnes from 7,700 tonnes a month earlier, shipments of PE for paper lamination were reduced. Overall LDPE imports totalled 28,380 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 29,400 tonnes a year earlier.

Last month's EVA imports exceeded 3,900 tonnes, compared to 3,800 tonnes in March; demand for EVA for compounds production increased. Imports of this ethylene copolymer grade grew by 30% in January-April 2018 to 15,200 tonnes.

Imports of other ethylene polymers were 14,500 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 12,500 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Yemen's Aden refinery is seeking 150,000 tonnes of oil products for the local market in two separate tenders, the state news agency SABA said, as per Reuters.

The refinery is seeking 30,000 tonnes of unleaded petrol and 30,000 tonnes of diesel in its first tender, as fuel supplies ran low because of Yemen's civil war.

Aden refinery is also seeking 60,000 tonnes of petrol and 30,000 tonnes of heating oil for electricity generation in Aden in its second tender.

The document stated that offers should be presented in U.S. dollars with a deadline of May 21.
MRC

MOSOCOW (MRC) -- Celanese Corporation, a global specialty materials company, has announced price increases on its polyamide-based long-fiber thermoplastic compounds (PA66-LFT) and thermoplastic polyurethane long-fiber thermoplastic compounds (TPU-LFT), as per the company's press release.

The price increases below will be effective for orders placed on or after June 1, 2018, or as contracts otherwise allow:

- for polyamide-based long-fiber thermoplastic grades (PA66-LFT): by USD0.10/kg - for Americas, by EUR0.10/kg - for Europe, by USD0.10/kg - for Asia;
- for thermoplastic polyurethane long-fiber thermoplastic grades (TPU-LFT): by USD0.35/kg for Americas, by EUR0.35/kg - for Europe and by USD0.35/kg - for Asia.

As MRC informed before, Celanese Corporation increased May prices of vinyl acetate-based emulsions sold in China. Thus, the company's prices of EVA emulsions rose by CNY300/mt for China, effective May 1, 2017, or as contracts otherwise allow.

Celanese Corporation is a global technology leader in the production of differentiated chemistry solutions and specialty materials used in most major industries and consumer applications. Based in Dallas, Celanese employs approximately 7,300 employees worldwide and had 2016 net sales of USD5.4 billion.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Petronas and Saudi Arabia's state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco have launched the corporate identity of their joint ventures in the Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) in Pengerang, Johor, said Saudi Aramco.

The joint ventures are the Pengerang Refining Company Sdn Bhd (PRefChem Refining) and Pengerang Petrochemical Company Sdn Bhd (PRefChem Petrochemical), collectively known as “PRefChem”.

Commenting on the company’s visual identity, Dr Colin Wong Hee Huing, the CEO of the two companies, said the circular movement of the logo represents collaboration, precision and bonding between Petronas and Saudi Aramco, while the blue and green colours portray PRefChem as a vibrant, dynamic and environmentally friendly company.
According to a press statement issued by Petronas, the refinery complex and cracker is now 96.54 per cent complete while the petrochemical facilities has achieved 84.8 per cent completion.

"This integrated partnership marks a visionary move by two professionally-run national oil companies where both are able to leverage on each other’s strengths and share technical capabilities as well as experiences for mutual benefit.

"I am proud that we are amongst the pioneer of national oil companies partnering with one another to ensure better positioning for both organisations in an increasingly competitive market,” said Petronas president and group CEO Tan Sri Wan Zulkiflee Wan Ariffin.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) – As part of the launch of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s (ADNOC) new Downstream strategy at the ADNOC Downstream Investment Forum in Abu Dhabi this week, over 200 senior energy, petrochemical and private sector leaders and CEOs toured the Ruwais Industrial Complex and Ruwais City, where they viewed existing facilities and key assets and were briefed on a number of future development plans, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The expansion of the Ruwais Industrial Complex and Ruwais City is at the heart of ADNOC’s strategy to deliver a more valuable downstream business. Located in the strategically important Al Dhafra region, 240 kilometres west of Abu Dhabi, and building on the existing strengths and competitive advantages of the Ruwais Industrial Complex, ADNOC’s new downstream plans 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 the 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, and drive the expansion and development of Ruwais City and the Al Dhafra region. The strategy is expected to add more than 15,000 jobs by 2025 and contribute an additional 1% to GDP per year.

ADNOC will also develop a new, large-scale, manufacturing ecosystem in Ruwais through the creation of new petrochemical Derivatives and Conversion Parks. Both parks will enable numerous new petrochemical activities and value chains in such fields as construction chemicals, oil and gas chemicals, surfactants and detergents.

As part of the Ruwais area development, ADNOC will significantly expand Ruwais City to meet the expected increase in demand for housing and other facilities resulting from an enlarged Ruwais Industrial Complex. ADNOC plans to make Ruwais an even more attractive and thriving city for a greatly expanded, diverse and high-skilled workforce. Along with new homes, ADNOC is undertaking a range of infrastructure and community enhancement projects to ensure residents experience the best possible quality of life and are part of a strong, sustainable community.

ADNOC’s Downstream Investment Forum brought together leaders from a diverse range of industries and sectors, to discuss key trends impacting their businesses and investments in the energy and petrochemicals industry. At the forum, ADNOC unveiled plans to become a global downstream leader, capable of stretching the margin of every barrel of oil produced, as it accelerates the delivery of its 2030 smart growth strategy. This will deliver more valuable upstream and more profitable downstream businesses and ensure an economic and sustainable supply of gas.

The tour of the Ruwais Industrial Complex and city included visits to Ruwais Refinery West and East, several of the site’s control centres, Borouge 3 and future large-scale project locations, as well as a guided bus tour of Ruwais City.
MRC