MOSCOW (
MRC) -- Emergency shutdown of production at Gazprom neftekhim Salavat, one of the leading Russian petrochemical producers, in late May did not affect much prices of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) plasticizer, according to MRC analysts.
As previously reported, in the second half of June, Russian DOP prices began to decline gradually after having reached Rb78,000-79,500/tonne, CPT Moscow, including VAT, on the back of seasonal demand and scheduled maintenance (from 20 April for 30 days) at Gazprom neftekhim Salavat, the key DOP supplier to the Russian market.
After the resumption of operations at the plant, the output of alcohols and DOP was stopped again due to a failure at the production. However, the market responded sluggishly to the accident in Salavat, spot DPO prices in early June rose to Rb78,000-80,000/tonne, CPT Moscow, including VAT.
But already by mid-June, spot DOP prices in Russia had begun to gradually decline. And the resumption of plasticizer production at Gazprom neftekhim Salavat only led to a further slight drop in prices. DOP prices went down to Rb78,000-79,000/tonne, CPT Moscow, including VAT.
Some market participants do not rule out that there may be further reductions of Russian DOP prices in July under pressure of the increased supply from Bashkir plant.
MRC