MOSCOW (MRC) -- Brazilian petrochemical firm Braskem announces its results for 3Q 2014, said the company in its press release.
In 3Q14, average cracker utilization rate stood at 90%, increasing 6 p.p. from 2Q14. Resumption of operations at the Triunfo site and the higher capacity utilization rate at the Rio de Janeiro complex offset the scheduled maintenance shutdown at the Sao Paulo cracker.
Braskem sales followed the resins market trend and reached 939 kton. Sales of PP (USA and Europe) totaled 470 kton, 2% lower than in 2Q14. Compared to 3Q13, sales grew 9%, supported by the better economic scenario.
EBITDA of RD1,502 million, benefitting from higher spreads in international markets and the growth in sales volume. Compared to 3Q13, EBITDA decreased 10%. In dollar, EBITDA was USD660 million.
Braskem's leverage stood at 2.71x. Fitch revised its rating outlook for Braskem to "stable," reflecting the reduction in its leverage levels, the continued improvement of its results and progresses in its growth and feedstock diversification project.
Mexico project's construction reached 82% completion with the beginning of the hiring and training Team Members to run the future industrial operation. Pre-marketing activities advanced, with the number of active clients reaching 276.
On August 11, the subsidiary BRASKEM-Idesa withdrew the fourth installment of the project finance in the amount of USD383 million. Regarding the Ascent project, Ineos, LyondellBasell and Technip were chosen to supply the technologies to be used in the project.
In a partnership with Think Plastic and Aduaneiras, the "Exporter Qualification Project" was created to increase exports of manufactured goods made from plastic.
As MRC wrote before, Braskem plans to build a new polyethylene (PE) plant at its existing complex in La Porte, Texas. The new plant will manufacture ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), making it the first time for Braskem to produce UHMWPE outside of its home base in Brazil. Construction on the plant will begin in the third quarter of 2014, with completion expected in the first half of 2016.
Braskem is Brazilian main producer of polyethylene and polypropylene. In addition with ongoing plants located in both petrochemical complexes, in April 2008 Braskem opened a 300,000 metric ton polypropylene plant in the city of Paulinia (Sao Paulo).
MRC