Orpic polypropylene output hits 1m tonnes

(yarnsandfibers) -- SOHAR Oman Oil Refineries and Petroleum Industries Company (Orpic) said that its production of world class high quality polypropylene homopolymer at Sohar plant has crossed 1 million tonnes.

This is a significant milestone for the polypropylene plant in Sohar, which began production in October 2006.

The Sohar facility is the only polypropylene manufacturing unit in the Sultanate and is part of the country’s vision to develop downstream petrochemical products. Orpic’s refinery at Sohar is the main supplier of feedstock for polypropylene production, a key part in building the domestic integrated petrochemicals industry.

Khalid Al Gaithi, operation engineer at the poly propylene plant, said: “This was a proud moment for all in the PP plant as it achieves the main aim behind the economic ventures; thanks to the team spirit of all employees.

Orpic exports its polypropylene products to markets in the UAE, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and other countries in the Middle East. Part of the production is marketed in the local market.
MRC

(Plastemart) -- Japan's JGC Corp has inked a deal for expansion of ethane cracker for the Rabigh II petrochemicals complex owned by Saudi Aramco and Japan's Sumitomo Chemical. The contract is valued at approximately USD100-200 million.

Aramco and Sumitomo have taken longer than expected to pick contractors for the Rabigh II petrochemical expansion project, which is expected to cost around USD7 bln. JGC's deal is the latest to be awarded. South Korea's GS Engineering and Construction and Daelim Industrial, Italy's Saipem and Britain's Petrofac have all signed contracts to build the second phase of the complex in Rabigh, on the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia.

The JGC Group consists of the main company, which provides a wide range of services in the planning, design engineering, construction, and commissioning of various kinds of plants and facilities in Japan and aboard. The activities of the group companies include the equipment procurement services, and the provision of the inspection and maintenance services incident to the construction and running of such plants and facilities, the manufacture and sale of catalysts and other chemical products.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) – In July the total volume of large polymers output in Ukraine slashed to the level of 24,000 tonnes. Ukrainian traders reduced the volume of PVC and PS production, report MRC analysts.

In July the total volume of large polymers output (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride and polystyrene) in Ukraine reduced to the level of 24,000 tonnes, down 7% from June. Karpatneftekhim and Stirol cut down PVC and PS production accordingly.
In Q1 Karpatneftekhim quite actively increased the production volumes of suspension PVC. However, starting from April the plant started reducing the level of capacity utilization due to many factors, including the economical one. In July the output of suspension PVC decreased to 13,100 tonnes. The production of HDPE at Karpatneftekhim slightly exceeded 9,200 tonnes.

In general, over the past seven months the plant produced about 64,100 tonnes of HDPE. In early September the plant is going to shut down its PVC and PE production for a turnaround. However, the duration of the turnaround is not specified yet.
PP production capacity at Linik, as well as the oil refinery, still remains idle. The plant is going to return to oil refining as well as to PP production by the end of September-beginning of October.

The volume of PS output at Stirol (Gorlovka) declined to 1,700 tonnes last month due to the limited supply of styrene by Russian makers. The output of EPS made about 1,000 tonnes last month and GPPS production made about 700 tonnes.

The total year-to-date output of large polymers in Ukraine made about 204,000 tonnes, up 32% year-on-year.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Export prices of PVC are growing in the foreign markets in August. European producers have raised prices by EUR90-100/tonne. The suppliers of North American PVC plan to increase prices for September shipments, according to MRC analysts.

In August, export quotations of PVC are growing in foreign markets, the exception made some Chinese producers. European producers on the back of the growing contract prices of ethylene in August by EUR140/tonne, from July, raised their export prices by EUR90-100/tonne to the level of EUR760-820/tonne, FCA. The scheduled turnarounds of the plants in Poland, Hungary and Germany contributed to it.

The suppliers of North American PVC also have already contracted most volumes for August. The deals were in the range of USD940-960/tonne, CFR, St. Petersburg, and USD940-960/tonne, CIF Odessa. The suppliers of resins from the United States are planning to raise prices to USD960-1,000/tonne, CFR, St. Petersburg, and the USD980-1,000/tonne, CIF Odessa, for the September shipment.

Chinese makers still keep their export prices in the range of USD850-890/tonne, FOB, or USD880-920/tonne, DAP Dostyk.

The producers in the north of China have been experiencing problems with rail rolling stock since May, causing serious disruption in the terms of shipments of PVC. The deliveries had been even suspended till August, 15th, due to the lack of railway wagons in the region.

MRC

(WTiN Intelligence) -- Indorama Ventures (IVL) has completed the acquisition for the PET resin assets of PT. Polypet Karyapersada based in Cilegon, Indonesia, at a site with a capacity of 100,800 tonnes per annum.

IVL completed the acquisition through its wholly-owned subsidiary, PT. Indorama Polypet Indonesia on August 9, 2012. According to the company, the acquisition of the PET resin assets creates synergies, including lowering the cost of both plants, through shared services and logistic savings due to it being co-sited with its joint venture PTA plant, PT. Indorama Petrochemicals.
MRC