SIBUR Begins Tomsk Production Overhaul

Tomsk, 15 October 2012. SIBUR launches Tomskneftekhim capacities overhaul to increase production volumes, upgrade and expand basic polymers, and improve industrial safety.

The project provides for production capacity growth from 130 ktpa to 140 ktpa for polypropylene based on the existing technology, and from 240 ktpa to 270 ktpa for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) based on the technology of Basell Polyolefine GmbH (Germany) enabling to improve the existing PE grades and produce a number of new LDPE grades at an upgraded unit.

Tecnimont, the main subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont Group, a leading international player in Engineering & Construction, Technology & Licensing and Energy & Ventures, is engaged in the LDPE unit expansion project to develop FEED (Front-End Engineering Design) documentation. Russian Plastpolymer is to prepare retrofit documentation for the polypropylene production unit. Russian and foreign designers have been introduced to the existing production and proceeded to develop project documentation.

General information:

Russian polypropylene production capacity totals 680 ktpa, while consumption amounts to 800 ktpa. In addition, according to various estimates, up to 1 mt of polypropylene, the third most popular plastic consumed globally (top two are polyethylene and PVC), is imported in Russia as finished products: plastic chairs and tables, disposable tableware, toys, plastic parts for automotive industry, and other products.

Low-density polyethylene is widely used to produce various types of packing, agricultural films, cable compositions, and medical and household items. LDPE consumption in Russia is 630 ktpa, while production comes to 560 ktpa.