Импорт бензола в Россию обновил рекорд
Поставки бензола в Россию из-за рубежа по железной дороге в январе — ноябре достигли 74 тыс. т, превысив рекордные 70,8 тыс. т, ввезенные в 2019 г. Рост импорта обусловлен нехваткой продукта из-за продолжительных ремонтов на заводах-производителях.
Крупнейшим поставщиком бензола в Россию в этом году стала Украина. Так, «Карпатнефтехим» увеличил отгрузки в январе — ноябре более чем в пять раз: на 25,3 тыс. т, до 30,7 тыс. т. А Кременчугский НПЗ «Укртатнафты» отгрузил в Россию 5,2 тыс. т бензола, тогда как в прошлом году такие поставки отсутствовали.
Белоруссия увеличила экспорт бензола в Россию по итогам января — ноября почти вдвое: до 30,8 тыс. т с 17 тыс. т. При этом НПЗ «Нафтан» повысил отгрузки почти в пять раз: на 13,5 тыс. т, до 17,3 тыс. т.
Тем временем отгрузки из Казахстана на российский рынок за 11 месяцев заметно снизились — на 22,1 тыс. т, до 7,3 тыс. т. Это связано с тем, что единственный производитель бензола в стране, Атырауский НПЗ, приостанавливал выпуск продукта на установке Paramax в период с 5 марта по 2 сентября.
Актуальные вопросы нефтехимического рынка будут рассмотрены на конференции Argus Нефтегазохимия 2022. СНГ и глобальные рынки 3-4 марта в Санкт-Петербурге. Возможно участие онлайн.
Больше новостей, ценовой информации и аналитических материалов о рынках продуктов нефтехимии, объемах производства и направлениях поставок — в издании «Argus Нефтехимия».
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Industry groups applaud national recycling bill
Industry groups applaud national recycling bill
Houston, 20 September (Argus) — A bill that would standardize aspects of the US recycling system and set a recycled content mandate has met with support from plastics industry groups and companies. The bill, which was introduced by US Congressman Larry Buchson (R-Indiana) and US Congressman Don Davis (D-North Carolina), would direct the Environmental Protection Agency to establish national recycling standards across the US, lessen restrictions on chemical recycling, and set a minimum recycled content standard for plastic packaging. The bill would require manufacturers of plastic packaging to use 30pc recycled content by 2030 in order to spur demand for recycled plastic, putting the percentage ahead of some state mandate laws such as New Jersey. The bill also defines chemical recycling as manufacturing instead of solid waste disposal, which would lower environmental regulation restrictions on chemical recyclers. Already, 25 states have enshrined this in law following support from plastics industry groups. The Plastics Industry Association and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) both came out in favor of the national recycling bill after it was announced yesterday. Additionally, Berry chief executive Kevin Kwilinski and Lyondellbasell chief executive Peter Vanacker also backed the bill. "This bill would bring about transformational change to how we recycle plastics in this country, while creating regulatory certainty for businesses to tackle these important challenges," ACC chief executive Chris Jahns said. By Zach Kluver Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Brazil hikes import tax on polymers, chemicals
Brazil hikes import tax on polymers, chemicals
Sao Paulo, 19 September (Argus) — Brazil's government increased import taxes of 30 polymers and chemicals to 20pc from 12.6pc this week, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Another 32 chemical products remain under evaluation by Gecex, the Brazilian committee for commercial trade management. With the 18 September decision, most rates will rise and will remain at this level for 12 months. Domestic manufacturers and chemical industries associations welcomed the decision, arguing that the measure will help level the playing field against foreign competitors who benefit from lower production costs. Brazil's chemical industry association Abiquim has been asking the government provide commercial protections for 62 products since May. Supporters of the tax hike, including Abiquim, say it will help create jobs and strengthen Brazil's domestic economy. They also said that the increased revenue from the higher taxes can be reinvested in infrastructure and public services, further benefiting the country. Brazilian petrochemical major Braskem said Thursday that it sees the tax increase as a positive step towards ensuring fair competition and fostering growth within the industry. Braskem produces basic chemicals, PE, PP and PVC. The most important aspect of the tax increase is not the number of products covered, but what it represents in value, said Abiquim's executive president Andre Passos Cordeiro. "These 30 products that were approved represent about 65pc of the import volume of this set of 62 products that we had proposed to the government," he said. "They also represent 75pc of the value of this same set of imports. The decision is welcome, well-founded technically, and brings relief to the chemical industry." The share of chemical imports in the Brazilian market soared in the last 20 years, according to Abiquim, reaching 47pc in 2023 from 21pc in 2000. In the first half of this year, the sector's trade deficit was close to $23bn, while the national industry's idle capacity reached its worst level ever. "We were losing strength with the closure of factories and loss of jobs," Cordeiro said. "I reiterate that the government's decision was essential for us, as an industry and as Brazilians. A strong industry presupposes a strong country." The Brazilian chemical industry is responsible for around 11pc of Brazil's GDP, according to Cordeiro Taxes could up consumer costs Critics of the tax hikes say they will increase costs for consumers and manufacturers who rely on imported polymers and chemicals. Brazil's plastic industry association Abiplast said it was concerned that the higher import taxes will increase production costs for plastic products, which could result in higher prices for end consumers. In a letter to associates, Abiplast said that the measure could hurt small- and medium-sized enterprises that do not have the same capacity as larger companies to absorb the increased costs. The tax hike could also negatively impact the competitiveness of Brazilian products in the global market, Abiplast said. By increasing the cost of raw materials, Brazilian plastic converters may find it more challenging to compete with foreign companies that have access to cheaper inputs. That could lead to a decrease in exports and a potential loss of market share internationally. Furthermore, opponents of the tax increase highlight that the measure could have unintended consequences on the broader economy. Higher production costs could lead to inflationary pressures, affecting the purchasing power of Brazilian consumers. They also point out that the tax increase may not necessarily lead to the desired boost in domestic production, as the domestic industry may not have the capacity to meet the increased demand for polymers and chemicals. The letter, signed by the chairman of the association's board Jose Ricardo Roriz Coelho, also said that despite exhaustive explanations to the government about the taxes' downsides, final approval [of the tax hike] still goes through Brazil's partners in trade bloc Mercosur — Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. If validated, the measure is expected to go into effect in October and last for one year. Abiplast said it will continue battling to reverse the measure, which the association deems unreasonable. Higher domestic prices may follow The market is taking some notice of the new proposed measures. One US polymers exporter to Brazil told Argus that if the tax hike becomes effective, Brazilian polymers manufacturers are expected to immediately raise prices to recover their margins. "The timing for the tax hike announcement was fine-tuned to let local producers secure additional margins in a time that sales are expected to increase in Brazil due to Christmas and New Year celebrations," one market participant told Argus. But any drop in polymer imports into Brazil from the taxes should recover in he beginning of next year, the source said. "Brazil's polymers production is not enough to address local demand, so imports will always be needed," the source said. Brazil's January-August PE imports surged by 45pc from the same period in 2023, reaching almost 1.4mn metric tonnes. North America had a 79pc share, while South America had another 10pc. The country also buys from Asia and the Middle East. By Fred Fernandes Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
LNG-burning vessels well positioned ahead of 2025
LNG-burning vessels well positioned ahead of 2025
New York, 19 September (Argus) — Vessels outfitted with dual-fuel LNG-burning engines are poised to have the lowest marine fuel expense heading into 2025 when the EU will tighten its marine EU emissions trading system (ETS) regulations and add a new regulation, " FuelEU", from 1 January 2025. Considering both regulations, at current price levels, fossil LNG (also known as grey LNG) will be priced the cheapest compared with conventional marine fuels and other commonly considered alternative fuels such as biodiesel and methanol. The EU's FuelEU maritime regulation will require ship operators traveling in, out and within EU territorial waters to gradually reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity on a lifecycle basis, starting with a 2pc reduction in 2025, 6pc in 2030 and so on until getting to an 80pc drop, compared with 2020 base year levels. The FuelEU GHG intensity maximum is set at 85.69 grams of CO2-equivalent per MJ (gCO2e/MJ) from 2030 to 2034, dropping to 77.94 gCO2e/MJ in 2035. Vessel pools exceeding the FuelEU's limits will be fined €2,400/t ($2,675/t) of very low-sulphur fuel oil (VLFSO) energy equivalent. GHG emissions from grey LNG vary depending on the type of marine engine used to burn the LNG, but ranges from about 76.3-92.3 gCO2e/MJ, according to non-governmental environmental lobby group Transport & Environment. This makes a number of LNG-burning, ocean-going vessels compliant with FuelEU regulation through 2034. The EU's ETS for marine shipping commenced this year and requires that ship operators pay for 40pc of their GHG generated on voyages within, in and out of the EU. Next year, the EU ETS emissions limit will increase to 70pc. Even with the added 70pc CO2 emissions cost, US Gulf coast grey LNG was assessed at $639/t VLSFOe, compared with the second cheapest VLSFO at $689/t, B30 biodiesel at $922/t and grey methanol at $931/t VLSFOe average from 1-18 September (see chart). "In 2025, we expect [US natural gas] prices to rise as [US] LNG exports increase while domestic consumption and production remain relatively flat for much of the year," says the US Energy Information Administration. "We forecast the Henry Hub price to average around $2.20/million British thermal units (mmBtu) in 2024 and $3.10/mmBtu in 2025." Provided that prices of biodiesel and methanol remain relatively flat, the projected EIA US 2025 LNG price gains would not affect LNG's price ranking, keeping it the cheapest alternative marine fuel option for ship owners traveling between the US Gulf coast and Europe. LNG for bunkering global consumption from vessels 5,000 gross tonnes and over reached 12.9mn t in 2023, according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), up from 11mn t in 2022 and 12.6mn t in 2021. The maritime port authority of Singapore reported 111,000t of LNG bunker sales and the port authorities of Rotterdam and Antwerp reported 319,000t in 2023 from all size vessels. Among vessels 5,000 gross tonnes and over, LNG carriers accounted for 89pc of LNG bunker demand globally, followed by container ships at 3.6pc, according to the IMO. The large gap between LNG global and LNG Singapore, Rotterdam, and Antwerp bunker demand, is likely the result of most of the demand taking place at the biggest LNG export locations where LNG carriers call, such as the US Gulf coast, Qatar, Australia, Russia and Malaysia. By Stefka Wechsler USGC bunkers and bunker alternatives $/t VLSFOe Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Japan PO and derivatives production, sales up in July
Japan PO and derivatives production, sales up in July
London, 19 September (Argus) — Japan's propylene oxide (PO) production rose in July, but stocks fell following brisk domestic sales in June-July, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (Meti) . PO production increased by 4.8pc on the month to 24,900t in July, while inventories fell by 15.6pc to 12,200t, compared with a January-June average of 14,800t/month. June sales had risen by 12.5pc month on month to 24,300t, outstripping that month's production, and July sales were at a similar elevated level, helping to draw down stocks. Average monthly sales in January-May were 21,000 t/month and in 2023 were 22,000 t/month. Most of Japan's PO production is for domestic use, with around 1,500t exported so far this year, mainly to the US. Downstream, July production of flexible polyurethane foam rose by 16.4pc in July to 10,200t, compared with a January-June average of 8,400t/month. Sales also rose by 15.4pc to 9,600t, helping to temper the rise in stocks, which reached 2,700t, broadly in line with the January-June average of 2,600t/month. And production of rigid polyurethane foam also rose in July, up by 10.7pc month on month to 5,700t, well above the average 4,800 t/month produced in the first half of the year. Sales rose by 16.3pc to 5,300t in July, leaving stocks almost flat from June at 1,300t. By Laura Tovey-Fall Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
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