Production volumes of large-tonnage polymers are demonstrating a steady growth on the Russian market. The gas processing sector and the petrochemicals industry are actively developing, with a range of new facilities to be added soon. In Amur Oblast, for example, a gas processing plant is being built which will process multicomponent gas from Yakutia. Methane will be exported to China, while ethane will be supplied to SIBUR’s petrochemical complex which is to be constructed in the vicinity of the Amur plant. ZapSibNeftekhim — Russia’s largest petrochemical complex producing ethylene and polyolefins — is scheduled to commence operation in the nearest future.

The new projects will change the situation at the Russian market for large-tonnage polymers, many segments of which have been declining in recent years. From 2015 to 2017, consumption of high-pressure and low-pressure polyethylene decreased, which led to a drop in prices.

These projects will offer new products on global markets of petrochemicals, most notably the helium market, where Russia may become a major player thanks to the Amur GPP which is to produce up to 60 million cubic meters of commercial helium a year.

These and other projects are intended to enhance Russia’s hydrocarbon industry, making Russia a global leader in petrochemical exports. New projects will also help key industry players diversify their business portfolios.