Russian SR capacity to increase

By David Shaw, ERJ staff

Singapore -- Nine capacity expansion projects for synthetic rubber are currently underway in the Russian Federation. Sergey Mikhaylov, head of marketing at Sibur LLC's synthetic rubber unit said these affect polybutadiene, solution SBR; butyl rubber, isoprene rubber,  nitrile rubber and SBS thermoplastic elastomer.

Four of these are due to be completed during 2009. These include a new 40 kt project for S-SBR and a 50 kt expansion of SBS, bringing capacity to 85 kt/year at Voronezhsynthezkauchuk; a 55kt/year capacity expansion for butyl rubber at Togliattikauchuk and a 12kt/year NBR powder project at Krasnoyarsk SRP.

While no projects are due on stream in 2010, two furter expansion are due in 2011. Krasnoyarsk  is due to bring 56 kt/year of capacity for NBR on stream, while Voronezhsynthezkauchuk will bring on stream 50 kt of capacity for  SBS styrenic block copolymer.

In 2012, Nizhnekamskneftekhim is due to bring on stream 200kt of butyl and halobutyl as well as 160kt/year of neodymium-catalysed butadiene rubber.

In addition, the isoprene rubber business is undergoing changes, with 60 kt of capacity coming on stream at Togliattikauchuk, though this is designed to replace other capacity which is being ended, as Russia reduces its reliance on isoprene made from C₅ sources.

Mikhaylov said consumption of isoprene rubber in Russia has fallen to 197 kt in 2008 from 213 kt in 2007 and 236kt in 2006.