Russia’s production of high density polyethylene (HDPE) decreased by 8.4% year on year in the first ten months of 2017 to 760,600 tonnes, according to MRC’s ScanPlast report.

All Russian HDPE producers decreased their output during the period, apart from Kazanorgsitez.

October HDPE production in Russia fell to 46,400 tonnes, whereas this figure reached 66,500 tonnes in September.

Scheduled shutdowns for maintenance at the two largest plants – Kazanorgsintez and Stavrolen – were the main reason for the decreases.

Overall HDPE output reached 760,600 tonnes in January-October 2017, compared to 830,200 tonnes a year earlier.

Kazanorgsintez’s total HDPE output fell to 16,800 tonnes in October from 33,700 tonnes a month earlier, the Kazan plant began a gradual shutdown of its production capacities for a turnaround, which lasted until 19 October.

The Kazan plant’s overall HDPE production was 413,800 tonnes in January-October 2017, up by 4% year on year.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim produced 17,800 tonnes of HDPE last month versus 9,000 tonnes in September (the Nizhnekamsk plant only switched to HDPE production in the second half of September).

The plant’s overall HDPE output was 64,700 tonnes in January-October 2017, compared to 117,800 tonnes a year earlier.

Such a noticeable reduction in the output was caused by an increase in the share of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) in the total production.

Gazprom neftekhim Salavat maintained high capacity utilisation in October and produced 11,800 tonnes of HDPE versus 11,300 tonnes a month earlier.

Overall HDPE production at the Bashkir plant reached 76,000 tonnes in January-October 2017, down by 17% year on year. This year’s low production was caused by a long shutdown for maintenance in July-August.

Stavrolen shut its HDPE production for a two-month maintenance and modernisation of some of its production capacities in mid-September.

The resumption of operations started on 15 November.

The plant’s HDPE output reached 206,100 tonnes in the first ten months of 2017, down by 8% year on year.