The Russian market of HDPE to face insignificant changes in March

MOSCOW (MRC) -- The growth of prices for PE in the external markets is going on, while low demand and excessive offer will limit the price growth in Russia, according to MRC Price Reports.

The continuing growth of oil prices along with ethylene prices in the European and Asian markets will result in further growth of polyethylene prices in March. Some European producers have already declared their intentions to jack up the prices for HDPE by EUR 40-50/mt next month. The same actions are considered also by the Asian producers. According to preliminary data, the March price rise for HDPE will make USD 40-60/mt.

After launching of new capacities in Nizhnekamsk and Salavat, the Russian market of HDPE is not so adoptive to the price rise in the external markets. Even now, by the end of February, the Russian converters could not fully accept January PE price rise. Low seasonal demand almost in all consumption sectors in terms of stable work of all producers resulted in the market saturation and enforced competition between HDPE producers.

The range of prices for HDPE is considerably high in the market. For example, for film HDPE it makes 58.500 - 63.000 RUB./t, including VAT, FCA, depending on producers and regions. The forecasted growth of PE prices in Asia and Europe will have some effect on prices in Russia. In the beginning of March the price rise is not expected in the Russian market, and the price range for HDPE from the Russian producers will decrease to 1.500 - 2.000 RUB./t.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Capacity of the market of volume polymers (polyethylene, PVC, polypropylene, polystyrene and PET) in Russia grew last year by one mln MT and reached the level of 4.5 mln MT. Overall consumption of polymers in comparison to 2009 increased by 28%, according to MRC annual reports.

The market, in literal sense, jumped to the unpredicted level, that's why all our reports are united with the general visual idea of a jump. Frankly speaking, the received estimates may not fully correspond to the real situation in the market, and they need extra explanation. In our reports we will present our arguments, where such significant numbers came from, - said Olga Sinelnikova, the head of annual reports department, MRC.

Polyethylene sales grew by 420 KT (or by 32%), PVS sales - by 247.5 KT (34%), polypropylene - by 141 KT (22%), polystyrene - 88 KT (29%), PET - by 98 KT (22%). Now the average annual consumption of volume polymers by one Russian has reached its historical maximum and makes 32 kg/per.

A positive factor last year was the growth of overall domestic production of basic polymers by more than 500 KT. New capacities are launched in Salavat, Nizhnekamsk, Kazan and Perm.

Despite a positive dynamics in polymers production the Russian market still depends on imports whose total volume exceeded 1.49 mln MT in 2010. Converters are forced to use 35% of imported polymers in their production. In 2010 in many directions record import indices were fixed: PE - 457 KT, PVC - 485 KT, PP - 198 KT.

As we suggested a year ago (see news dated January 15, 2010), the creation of Customs Union has a considerable impact on the Russian market. In 2011 we expect non less significant changes connected with possible Russia's joining WTO. In MRC annual reports there are several scenarios of the polymers market development in terms of WTO. The tags cloud for all reports is available lower. The reports will be issued on March 20, 2011.

MRC

(Food Productiondaily) -- UK plastic processors have warned that soaring raw material costs will lead to significant price increases for the their products, while a leading packaging body said higher costs will inevitably be passed down the supply chain.

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) served clear notice yesterday that increases of up to 80 per cent for some plastics over the last two years would mean that sectors such as packaging should expect to be hit by further price rises this year.

''Some grades of polyethylene and polypropylene have increased by 70 per cent and 80 per cent respectively since January 2009, said BPF director-general Peter Davis.

He added that in the last 12 months alone polypropylene registered a 40 per cent increase, while polystyrene prices had almost doubled since January 2009.

Dick Searle chief executive of The Packaging Federation, in the UK, said packaging manufacturers have been faced with unprecedented raw material costs across the industry. Searle indicated that faced with such raw material hikes packaging producers would also have no option but to pass such cost increases on in order to stay in business.

MRC

(MandaDeals) -- Key Capital Partners (KCP) has provided expansion financing to Wells Plastics, and taken a minority stake in the company. KCP has invested 3.8 million pounds in equity in the company, alongside senior debt facilities from Natwest and investment from incoming executive chairman, Paul Richardson. Members of the existing management team including sales and marketing director Carl Birch, technical director Andrew Barclay and former managing director David Nelson will retain a role at the company

The buy-out of the additive manufacturer will enable Wells Plastics to target markets in the Middle East, Africa and South America.

Staffordshire-based Wells produces specialist additives for plastic manufacturers and processors, which modify the properties of the plastic to improve characteristics such as UV and flame resistance.

Growth in demand for its Revert product, which speeds up the natural degradation process of plastic, such as carrier bags, has driven increased sales at Wells, according to a statement from the company.

MRC

(Styron) -- Styron, the global materials company and manufacturer of plastics, latex and rubber, will present its plastics for the LED Lighting industry as an exhibitor at the 12th annual Strategies in Light show in Santa Clara, Calif. Among the products showcased will be Styron's innovative CALIBRE 301-58LT Polycarbonate Resin combining high light transmission, comparable to acrylics, with high melt flow ideal for LED Lighting applications.

Styron offers a broad spectrum of extrusion and injection molding grade polycarbonate resins and compound and blends under the brand names CALIBRE Polycarbonate Resins and EMERGE Advanced Resins. These materials feature properties required by the LED Lighting sector, i.e., high light transmission, excellent light diffusion, impact strength, heat resistance and UV stability, and are used in applications ranging from signs and retail displays to traffic signals and light sources in appliances.

The LED Lighting market is growing globally in response to environmental regulations and consumer preference for environmentally-friendly products. This has caused lighting to move from incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescents to light emitting diodes (LED), with regional and regulatory requirements dictating the pace of conversion.

MRC