Output of chemical products in Russia grew by 2.3% in Jan-Oct 2018

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russia's output of chemical products rose in October 2018 by 4% month on month. However, this figure increased by 2.3% in the first ten months of 2018, according to Rosstat's data.

According to the Federal Service of State Statistics, last month's production of basic chemicals grew by 4% from September 2018, with caustic soda accounting for the main increase. Overall production of chemical products grew in January-October 2018 by 2.3% year on year, with benzene accounting for the greatest increase in the output.

196,000 tonnes of ethylene were produced in October versus 232,000 tonnes a month earlier, Kazanorgsintez, Stavrolen and Ufaorgsintez's production capacities were shut down for maintenance last month. 2,430,000 tonnes of this olefin were produced in the first ten months of 2018, up by 3.8% year on year.

Last month's production of benzene dropped to 96,600 tonnes from 104,000 tonnes in September. However, overall output of this product reached 1,166,400 tonnes over the stated period, up by 4,4%year on year.

October production of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) were 109,000 tonnes (100% of the basic substance) versus 102,000 tonnes a month earlier. Overall output of caustic soda grew to 1,055,500 tonnes in January-October 2018, up by 3.2% year on year.

Last month's output of mineral fertilizers was 1,736,000 tonnes (in terms of 100% nutrients) versus 1,760,000 tonnes in September, Russian producers reduced their production of potash fertilizers. Overall, Russian plants produced 18,960,000 tonnes of mineral fertilizers in the first ten months of 2018, up by 1% year on year. Nitrogen fertilizers accounted for the greatest increase in the output - up by 4.3% year on year.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- UK’s Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has published the UK Plastics Pact roadmap to 2025, a document highlighting key actions businesses should take to help curb the plastic pollution, as per Plasticsnewseurope.

The actions, published 15 Nov, are in line with the targets of the UK Plastics Pact which was launched in April with the aim of tackling the issue of plastic waste through collaboration across the entire supply chain.

The pact, led by WRAP, proposes to eliminate “problematic or unnecessary single-use packaging” through redesign, innovation or alternative (reuse) delivery model. It also aims to make 100% of plastics packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable.

Additionally, the Plastic Pact has set a 70% target for effective recycling or composting of plastics packaging with a view to achieving an average of 30% recycled content across all plastic packaging.

The 68 members of the pact are responsible for 80% of the plastic packaging sold in UK supermarkets, and half of all packaging placed on the market.

The roadmap published by WRAP outlines key activities that could be taken by all parts of the supply chain to deliver on all four of the targets.

Some of the activities include defining key terms, such as measurement and reporting; recyclability and developing criteria for “problematic & unnecessary” packaging.

The document also urges the pact members to embed targets and interim milestones in their corporate and organisational objectives; review their portfolios to identify opportunities for improvement and initiate partnerships for innovation.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The 25,000 square foot factory will have the capacity to manufacture 200 RT7000 recycling machines per year, destined for markets in the UK and Europe, as per Plasticsnewseurope.

The patented recycling machine RT7000 converts plastics to Plaxx oil, which can be used as fuel to make new plastics. In this process, the RT7000 heats up the plastic in the absence of oxygen to break the waste plastic down into Plaxx.

The process allows the recycling of plastics currently considered unrecyclable, such as plastic film, laminated food pouches and crisp packets and even black plastics.

Another feature of RT7000 is its small size, which allows it to be installed within existing waste management facilities, reducing the financial and environmental costs of transporting residual plastic waste.

"We have a goal to triple Europe’s current plastic recycling capability by 2027 through the provision of 10 million tonnes of urgently needed new waste plastic recycling capacity," said Adrian Griffiths, CEO, Recycling Technologies at the opening ceremony.

As part of this, Recycling Technologies expects to recruit more than 300 people within the facility, in addition to offering apprenticeship programmes.

For the project, Griffiths said his company received the backing of top UK universities and the government, as well as the Swindon Borough Council, which allowed RT to develop the pre-production machine at its recycling centre.
MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into Belarus decreased by 10.6% year on year in the first nine months of 2018, reaching 83,100 tonnes. At the same time, local companies reduced purchasing of exclusively linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), according to MRC's DataScope report.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of Belarus, PE imports to Belarus dropped to 7,300 tonnes in September 2018 from 8,100 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies reduced their purchasing of low density polyethylene (LDPE). Overall PE imports totalled 83,100 tonnes in January-September 2018, compared to 93,000 tonnes a year earlier. Demand for LLDPE subsided significantly, whereas demand for high density polyethylene (HDPE) increased.

The structure of PE imports to Belarus by grades looked the following way over the stated period.

September 2018 HDPE imports fell to 2,700 tonnes from 3,200 tonnes a month earlier, with Russian producers accounting for the main decrease in shipments. Overall imports of this PE grade into Belarus totalled 28,500 tonnes in January-September 2018, which virtually corresponded to the last year's figure.

HDPE imports were slightly over 4,200 tonnes in the first month of autumn, which corresponded to the August figure. Thus, overall HDPE imports totalled 41,100 tonnes in the first nine months of 2018, up by 12.7% year on year.

Overall LLDPE imports reached 12,700 tonnes over the stated period, whereas this figure was 28,400 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) into Belarus grew in the first nine months of 2018 by 4.3% year on year, totalling slightly over 75,200 tonnes. The greatest increase in imports occurred for homopolymer PP, according to MRC DataScope.

September PP imports to the Republic of Belarus amounted to about 8,000 tonnes against 9,000 tonnes a month earlier, homopolymer PP supplies from Russia decreased due to restrictions on exports from local producers. Total PP imports into the country reached 75,200 tonnes in January - September, compared with 72,100 tonnes year on year. The demand for homopolymer PP increased, but demand for propylene copolymers decreased.

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

September imports of homopolymer PP to Belarus decreased to 5,500 tonnes compared to 6,600 tonnes a month earlier, local companies faced significant restrictions on the supply of homopolymer PP from Russia in anticipation of a series of shutdowns for the prevention of local producers. Overall imports of homopolymer PP reached 51,400 tonnes in the first nine months of 2018, up by 6.8% year on year. Russian producers with the share of about 89% of the total shipments were the key suppliers.

September imports of propylene copolymers to Belarus were 2,500 tonnes versus 2,300 tonnes a month earlier, local companies increased their procurement of injection moulding statistical copolymers (PP random copolymers) in Europe. Overall imports of propylene copolymers reached 23,900 tonnes in January-September 2018, whereas this figure was 24,100 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC