Velocys and PQ partner for catalyst manufacturing

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Velocys plc, the renewable fuels company, has announced that it has partnered with PQ Corporation (PQ) for the supply of commercial quantities of Velocys’ proprietary catalyst to be used in multiple biorefineries incorporating its technology, according to Hydrocarbonprocessing.

PQ is a leading global provider of specialty catalysts, services, materials and chemicals for the refinery, emissions control and petrochemical industries.

Catalyst produced by PQ has already been used to successfully produce renewable transportation fuel and other products at ENVIA, the world’s first commercial smaller scale gas-to-liquids plant, which incorporates Velocys technology. In addition, PQ will manufacture the catalyst to be used by Velocys’ licensees as well as by the biorefinery projects that the company is developing with its industry partners, including its US biorefinery that will convert waste woody biomass into 20 million gallons per year of low-carbon transportation fuels and its plant in the UK that will convert waste into sustainable jet fuel.

"PQ has the proven capability to produce Velocys’ catalyst following our rigorous commercial production methodology. Our relationship with PQ gives us a great combination of a trusted and high-quality manufacturer who can deliver for us all over the world. After their successful production and deployment of our catalyst at the ENVIA biorefinery, we’re now ready to move to the next phase of catalyst manufacturing, with greater commercial quantities produced for future projects," Paul Schubert, COO of Velocys, said.

"Our highest priority is to safely manufacture, market and distribute products in a responsible manner that protects the environment. We do this, in part, by collaborating with our customers to create new products and technologies that further our mission. Our partnership with Velocys is a perfect example of this," David J. Taylor, PQ’s Executive Vice President and President – Environmental Catalysts and Services, said.
MRC

PP imports to Belarus rose by 7.5% in Jan-Jul 2018

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) into Belarus grew in the first seven months of 2018 by 7.5% year on year, totalling slightly over 58,300 tonnes. Demand increased for all grades of propylene polymers, according to MRC's DataScope report.

July PP imports into Belarus were 8,800 tonnes, compared to 8,400 tonnes a month earlier, local companies raised their purchasing of injection moulding propylene copolymers in Russia. Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 58,300 tonnes in January-July 2018, compared to 54,200 tonnes a year earlier, with propylene copolymers accounting for the greatest increase in demand.

The supply structure by PP grades looked the following way over the stated period.


July imports of homopolymers of propylene (homopolymer PP) to the Belarusian market dropped to 5,700 tonnes from 6,000 tonnes a month earlier, local companies reduced their purchases of homopolymer PP raffia in Russia. Overall imports of homopolymer PP reached 39,300 tonnes in the first seven months of 2018, up by 5.6% year on year. Russian producers with the share of about 89% of the total shipments were the key suppliers.

July imports of propylene copolymers to Belarus were 3,100 tonnes versus 2,300 tonnes a month earlier, local companies increased their procurement of injection moulding statistical copolymers (PP random copolymers) in Russia. Thus, overall imports of propylene copolymers reached 19,000 tonnes in January-July 2018, whereas this figure was 17,000 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC

Ufaorgsintez shut PE and PP production

MOSCOW (Market Report) -- Ufaorgsintez (petrochemical asset of Bashneft, which is part of Rosneft) shut down the second low density polyethylene (LDPE) line and polypropylene (PP) production capacities for maintenance. The outage will be long, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

The plant's customers said Ufaorgsintez took off-stream its second LDPE line for a scheduled turnaround on 19 September (production of 158 and 153 grade polyethylene (PE) was shut) and PP production. The outage will be quite long and will last until 12 and 19 October, respectively.

As reported earlier, the first LDPE line (108 grade PE) was already shut for a 30-day maintenance on 1 September.

Ufaorgsintez's overall LDPE and PP production capacities are about 90,000 and 120,000 tonnes per year, respectively.

PJSC Ufaorgsintez produces phenol, acetone, synthetic ethylene-propylene rubber, high and low density polyethylene, polypropylene, over 30 types of petrochemical products and over 25 items of consumer products. Ufaorgsintez's net profit was Rb5.41 billion in 2017, down by 7% year on year.
MRC

Output of chemical products in Russia grew by 3.4% in January-August 2018

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russia's output of chemical products dropped in August 2018 by 0.4% month on month.
Thus, this figure increased by 3.4% in the first eight months of the year of 2018, according to Rosstat's data.

According to the Federal Service of State Statistics, last month's production of basic chemicals decreased by 0.4% from July 2018, with ethylene accounting for the main reduction. Overall production of chemical products grew in January-August 2018 by 3.4% year on year, with benzene accounting for the greatest increase in the output.

243,000 tonnes of ethylene were produced in August versus 237,000 tonnes a month earlier, Angarsk Polymers Plant and Tomskneftekhim's production capacities were shut down for maintenance last month. 2,002 tonnes of this olefin were produced in the first eight months of 2018, up by 1.6% year on year.

Last month's production of benzene dropped to 115,000 tonnes from 117,000 tonnes in July. Overall output of this product reached 965,800 tonnes over the stated period, up by 6%year on year.

August output of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) was 108,000 tonnes (100% of the main substance) versus 106,000 tonnes a month earlier, increase production was caused by a the resumprion of the capacities of SayanskKhimPlast. Overall production of caustic soda grew to 844,500 tonnes in January-August 2018, up by 3.6% year on year.

Last month's output of mineral fertilizers was 1.819 m tonnes (in terms of 100% nutrients) versus 1.783 m tonnes in July, Russian producers increased their production of nitrogen and potash fertilizers. Overall, Russian plants produced 13.645 m tonnes of mineral fertilizers in the first eight months of 2018, up by 2.2% year on year. Nitrogen fertilizers accounted for the greatest increase in the output - up by 6% year on year.
MRC

TNKPZ shuts PP production

MOSCOW (MRC) - Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries (TKNPZ) intends to shut the production of polypropylene (PP) for scheduled maintenance works. The outage will be quite long, according to ICIS-MRC Price report.

Customers of the complex said, the shutdown of capacities for PP production is scheduled from 20 September, the turnaround of the production will take 20 days. The plant's annual PP production capacity is 100,000 tonnes.

The Turkmenbashi complex of oil refineries (TKNPZ) in 2017 produced 84,100 tonnes of polypropylene (PP), slightly exceeding the plan for the year (82,500 tonnes). As mentioned earlier, a new plant for the production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene with a total capacity of 382,000 tonnes and 86,000 tonnes, respectively, was recently launched in Turkmenistan.

As the potential customers of the enterprise reported, now there is a test run of polyolefins, and the official start-up of production is scheduled for 17 October. The first shipments from the new petrochemical complex have been already sold in early September, and recently there were deals for PP done at USD1,050/tonne, FCA.

TKNPZ produces automobile gasoline, aviation and technical kerosene, hydrotreated diesel fuel, petroleum coke, polypropylene, a wide range of technical lubricating oils, liquefied gas, road and construction bitumen. A significant part of the production of the complex is exported to Russia, Japan, Italy, Turkey, China, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Georgia, Armenia.
MRC