MOSCOW (Market Report) - May chemical production index in Russia grew by 0.3% compared to May's indicator a year earlier. This indicator increased by 2.5% in for the first five months, according to Rosstat.
According to the Federal Service of State Statistics of the Russian Federation, May output of basic chemicals increased by 0.3% compared to May of the previous year, the main increase accounted for mineral fertilizers.
In general, the output of basic chemicals increased by 2.5% in January-May of this year, while the output of some products reduced.
May production of ethylene in Russia reached 240,000 tonnes against 244,000 tonnes a month earlier. Russia's production of ethylene reached 1.267 mln in the first five months of the year , down 0.3% year on year.
The output of benzene in Russia last month reduced to 113,000 tonnes against 116,000 tonnes in April. Total production of benzene during the period under review reached 618,800 tonnes, up 3.3% year on year.
May production of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) was 97,800 tonnes (100% of the main substance) versus 96,700 tonnes a month earlier, the increase in the output was a result of the gradual reaching of 100% loading after the scheduled shutdown at RusVinyl. Total production of caustic soda rose to 5.235 mln tonnes in January-May, down 0.7% year on year.
May production of mineral fertilizers (in terms of 100% of nutrients) reached 2.006 mln, compared to 1.990 mln tonnes in April. Total production of mineral fertilizers in Russia was about 10.028 mln tonnes in the first five months of this year, up 4.6% year on year. The most significant increase accounted for the production of nitrogen fertilizers, an increase to the previous year - 7.1%.
MRC