MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russia's production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) totalled 729,500 tonnes in the first ten months of 2019, down by 8% year on year. Two producers out of three reduced their output, according to MRC's ScanPlast report.
October total HDPE production in Russia decreased to 34,300 tonnes, whereas this figure was 45,900 tonnes a month earlier. Low output in September-October was caused by shutdowns for maintenance at Stavrolen and Kazanorgsintez. Thus, overall HDPE production reached 729,500 tonnes in January-October 2019, compared to 795,900 tonnes a year earlier. A slight increase in Kazanorgsintez's production could not offset the decrease in the two other producers' output.
The structure of polyethylene (PE) production by plants looked the following way over the stated period.
Kazanorgsintez's total HDPE production fell to 16,700 tonnes in October from 32,300 tonnes a month earlier. The Kazan producer shut down its production for a turnaround from 26 September to 20 October. The Kazan plant's overall HDPE output reached 418,200 tonnes in January-October 2019, up by 1% year on year.
Stavrolen produced 7,100 tonnes last month, compared to 3,400 tonnes in September, the Budyonovsk producer shut its production capacities for maintenance from 6 September to 18 October. The plant's overall output reached 221,300 tonnes over the stated period, down by 8% year on year.
Gazprom neftekhim Salavat maintained high capacity utilisation in October, the plant's total production grew to 10,500 tonnes from 10,200 tonnes a month earlier. The Bashkir plant's overall HDPE production reached 87,500 tonnes in the first ten months of 2019, down by 13% year on year. Such a great reduction in HDPE production was caused by a long turnaround in July, whereas the Salavat producer did not shut its production capacities for maintenance last year.
Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced exclusively linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) over the stated period.
MRC