HDPE production in Russia dropped 2% in Q2 2018

MOSCOW (MRC) - Russia's production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) was about 491,400 tonnes in January-June 2018, down 2% year on year. Only two producers increased production volumes over the reported period, according to MRC ScanPlast.

June production of HDPE in Russia decreased to 79,000 tonnes, while in the same time last year it barely exceeded 86,800 tonnes. Decrease in production volumes was seen by all producers, excepting Gazprom neftekhim Salavat. Overall HDPE output decreased 491,400 tonnes in the first six months of 2018, compared to 500,400 tonnes a year earlier; two Tatar producers - Kazanorgsintez and Nizhnekamskneftekhim reduced production volumes in favour of linear polyethylene (LLDPE).

Structure of PE production over the reported period looked as follows.

Russia's June HDPE production at Kazanorgsintez decreased to 44,600 tonnes from 48,400 tonnes a month earlier. The Kazan plant's overall HDPE production was 262,200 tonnes in January-June 2018, down by 3% year on year.

Stavrolen last month produced about 23,400 tonnes against 25,600 tonnes a month earlier. The plant's HDPE output reached 151,100 tonnes in the first six months of 2018, up by 6% year on year.
Gazprom neftekhim Salavat cut capacity utilisation and June HDPE production at the plant reached about 10,900 tonnes, compared with 10,300 tonnes in May. Total HDPE production at the plant reached 60,400 tonnes in January-June 2018, up 17% year on year.

During the period under review, Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced HDPE only in April and May. Total HDPE production at Nizhnekamskneftekhim was junst 17,700 tonnes in January-June 2018 against 37,100 tonnes year on year.


MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- PTT Global Chemical (PTTGC) is likely to shut its low density polyethylene (LDPE) plant, as per Apic-online.

A Polymerupdate source in Thailand informed that the company has planned to halt operations at the plant on September 5, 2018. The plant is slated to remain under maintenance for about 10 - 12 days.

Located at Map Ta Phut in Thailand, the LDPE plant has a production capacity of 345,000 mt/year.

As MRC reported earlier, PTT started commercial operations at its new 400,000 mt/year metallocene C6 linear low density polyethylene plant at Map Ta Phut, Thailand, in the first quarter of 2018.

PTT Global Chemical is a leading player in the petrochemical industry and owns several petrochemical facilities with a combined capacity of 8.45 million tonnes a year.
MRC

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