PP imports to Russia rose by 28% in H1 2018

Russian companies slightly reduced their PP imports in June, which were 17,200 tonnes versus 18,200 tonnes a month earlier, shipments of propylene homopolymers (homopolymer PP) from Turkmenistan decreased. Overall, 97,300 tonnes of propylene polymers were imported into Russia in January-June 2018, compared to 67,570 tonnes a year earlier. Imports of all grades of propylene polymers increased, with homopolymer PP accounting for the greatest increase in deliveries.

Overall, the structure of PP imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.

June imports of homopolymer PP dropped to 6,500 tonnes from 8,100 tonnes a month earlier, shipments of homopolymer PP raffia from Uzbekistan decreased. Overall imports of this PP grade reached 35,500 tonnes in January-June 2018, compared to 26,200 a year earlier.

Last month's imports of block copolymers of propylene (PP block copolymers) were 4,200 tonnes versus 4,100 tonnes in May. Local companies increased their purchasing of PP block copolymer for injection moulding and pipe extrusion in Europe. Imports of PP block copolymers into Russia rose to 24,400 tonnes in the first six months of 2018, compared to 20,400 tonnes a year earlier.

June imports of statistical copolymers of propylene (PP random copolymers) were 3,200 tonnes, compared to 2,900 tonnes a month earlier, purchases from films producers increased. Overall imports of this propylene copolymers grade were 16,800 tonnes in the first six months of 2018, compared to 13,600 tonnes a year earlier, with imports of pipe propylene copolymers showing a two-fold increase.

Imports of other propylene polymers totalled 20,500 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 15,600 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- SATORP (Saudi Aramco Total Refining and Petrochemicals Company) has selected Axens to evaluate, develop, and implement an Advanced Process Control (APC) system for its aromatics complex ParamaX producing high purity paraxylene and benzene, reported Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The objective of the APC system is to achieve substantial economic benefit by providing extremely precise control of product quality while reducing consumption of utilities. This project is managed by Axens’ APC experts in close collaboration with SATORP engineers to develop the first process control solution for the whole aromatic complex including Eluxyl Axens’ technology.

Eluxyl is at the heart of the ParamaX Suite and is known for its excellence in operation, ability to handle high-capacities, and highly-stable molecular sieve for Paraxylene separation. The other aromatics process technologies, parts of the ParamaX Suite are the xylenes isomerization unit, XymaxSM , developed by ExxonMobil Chemical Technology Licensing and the extractive distillation unit, Morphylane, by ThyssenKrupp Uhde Engineering Services.

Axens’ APC project execution can rely on a proven methodology, tailored control strategy, inferential modules based on catalytic reaction kinetics and a unique process licensor insight resulting in a robust and easy to maintain process control solution.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Haldor Topsoe has delivered the catalyst charge for a new regenerative catalytic oxidizer at the Sinopec Qilu styrene-butadiene rubber plant in Zibo - the biggest rubber producer in China and part of Sinopec Group, the world’s largest oil refining, gas & petrochemical conglomerate, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

"The catalyst performance has been excellent since start up. We have been very happy with the fast catalyst delivery from Topsoe," says Mr. Li, Vice Plant Director of Sinopec Qilu Rubber.

The catalyst has been optimized to meet Sinopec Qilu’s requirements for performance, total investment cost, and pressure drop. Topsoe R&D delivered advanced performance measurements that enabled design for the optimal platinum load in order to meet the required emission limits. This has led to a very competitive product at the lowest possible cost.

The tailor-made catalyst was delivered to Sinopec Qilu in less than three months. The CATOX catalyst is a platinum monolith that oxidizes hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOC) into harmless CO2 and H2O at very low temperatures, saving energy and investment costs. The CATOX catalyst is suited for a number of industries in addition to SBR, including purified terephthalic acid (PTA), formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, and CO2 purification.

As MRC informed before, China's Sinopec group, parent of Sinopec Corp, will invest USD29.05 billion to upgrade four refining bases between 2016 and 2020 to produce higher-quality fuels. Sinopec's upgrades come as China, the world's second-biggest oil consumer, is embracing more stringent fuel standards in its battle against pollution and suffering an overall glut in refining capacity. After the upgrades, the total refining capacity of the four refining sites will reach 130 MMtpy, or 2.6 MMbpd, while ethylene capacity will reach 9 MMtpy.

Sinopec Corp. is one of the largest scale integrated energy and chemical company with upstream, midstream and downstream operations. Its principal business includes: exploring, developing, producing and trading crude oil and natural gas; producing, storing, transporting and distributing and marketing petroleum products, petrochemical products, synthetic fiber, fertilizer and other chemical products. Its refining capacity and ethylene capacity rank No.2 and No.4 globally. Sinopec listed in Hong Kong, New York, London and Shanghai in August 2001.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - Austria’s oil and gas group OMV said planned maintenance at its Petrobrazi refinery in Romania will negatively affect its operating profit in the second quarter, as per Reuters.

The full-site turnaround will impact its second-quarter clean current cost of supplies (CCS) earnings in its downstream business by around 35 million euros ($41 million) versus the first quarter, the group said on Wednesday.

The shutdown required OMV to store more crude, leading to not yet realized profits of around 60 million euros, it said.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) - The U.S. Chemical Safety Board is analyzing metal shrapnel from an April explosion at a Husky Energy Inc refinery in Wisconsin that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents as it continues to investigate the cause of the blast, the agency’s chief said, as per Hydrocarbonprocessing.

The metal shrapnel blown out from the gasoline-producing fluidic catalytic cracking unit (FCCU) at the refinery in Superior, Wisconsin, tore through a tank containing hot asphalt, which spread fire through the plant, Kristen Kulinowski, the safety board’s interim executive, said.

The metallurgical analysis may determine what caused the explosion. “It’s a painstaking process as much of the metal is covered with asphalt,” Kulinowski said.

The refinery has remained shut since the explosion on April 26.

Husky spokeswoman Kim Guttormson said there is no date for the restart of the refinery, but the company may provide an update on its July 26 conference call on second-quarter earnings.

The CSB has not released control of the FCCU to Husky, board spokeswoman Hillary Cohen said. Another update on the investigation will be issued in August.

Like the National Transportation Safety Board, the CSB has no regulatory or enforcement authority but recommends changes in industry practices and regulations based on its investigations.
MRC