The shutdown of Stavrolen was the main reason for the reduction in production volumes, according to a MRC ScanPlast. 

 

June HDPE production in Russia grew to 69,000 tonnes. In general, Russia"s HDPE production totalled 442,000 tonnes in January - June 2014, compared with 518,700 tonnes in the same time a year earlier. Production growth at Kazanorgsintez and Gazprom neftekhim Salavat did not offset the shutdown of Stavrolen.

 

Structure of HDPE production over the reported period was as follows. The most significant increase in production was seen at Gazprom neftekhim Salavat (Gazprom), at the same time because of a number of reasons, the company still has not reached the level of 100% capacity utilisation. Producer"s HDPE production grew to 51,600 tonnes in the first six months of the year, up 42% year-on-year.

 

The largest PE producer in Russia - Kazanorgsintez (Taif) kept the loading of capacity utilisation in June at the May level; June HDPE production  at Kazanorgsintez was 42,500 tonnes. Total HDPE production at Kazanorgsintez in the first six months of 2014 grew to 262,700 tonnes, up 8% year on year. 

 

The third largest HDPE producer in Russia  - Nizhnekamskneftekhim (Taif) produced 79,400 tonnes in January - June of this year, compared with 84,800 tonnes in the same time a year earlier. The reduction in HDPE production resulted from the switching to linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) production in March - April. 

 

We remind that the second largest producer of HDPE in Russia - Stavrolen (LUKOIL) shut its polymer production because of the accidence at ethylene production in late February. Company officials said the company would resume HDPE production in January 2015.