MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall output of chemicals grew in the first eleven months of 2017 by 4.9% year on year, with mineral fertilizers accounting for the greatest increase in production, according to Rosstat.
According to the Federal Service of State Statistics, last month's production of basic chemicals rose by 3% from October. Thus, output of basic chemicals went up by 4.9% year on year in January-November 2017, with chemical fertilizers accounting for the greatest increase in production and ethylene - for the least growth.
November output of ethylene was 250,000 tonnes, compared to 205,000 tonnes a month earlier, last month's low production was caused by a scheduled shutdown for maintenance at Stavrolen. Overall, over 2.6 mln tonnes of this olefin were produced in the first eleven months of 2017, up by 2.3% year on year.
Last month's production of benzene rose to 117,000 tonnes from 114,000 tonnes in October. Overall output of this product exceeded 1.24 mln tonnes over the stated period, up by 4.8%year on year.
November production of sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) were 106,000 tonnes (100% of the basic substance) versus 109,000 tonnes a month earlier. The decrease in the volume of output last month was seen at Kaustik (Volgograd). Overall output of caustic soda grew to 1.12 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2017, up by 6.9% year on year.
Last month's production of mineral fertilizers was 1.82 mln tonnes (in terms of 100% nutrients) versus 1.88 mln tonnes in October. However, Russian plants produced 20.06 mln tonnes of fertilizers in January-November 2017, up by 8.3% year on year.
Production of all types of fertilizers increased, with potash fertilizers, the output of which grew by 11.8%, accounted for the greatest increase.
MRC