Russian chemical production Jan-Jun 2025:

Russian ethylene production amounted to 2.281 million tons in the first half in 2025 against 2.340 million tons in 2024, whilst propylene production dropped from 1.321 million tons to 1.245 million tons.  Benzene production fell from 689,640 tons to 666,584 tons.  At the same time declines were reported for phenol, acetic acid and isopropanol. 

Ethylene glycol production dropped from 253,280 tons to 159,406 tons, mainly due to the reduction of ethylene deliveries from Kstovo to Dzerzhinsk in the early part of this year.  SIBUR-Kstovo’s olefin production was affected in February by the drone attack at the end of January, affecting ethylene oxide output.  Russian chemical products which saw increases in the first six months included methanol where production increased from 1.919 million tons in the first six months in 2024 to 2.057 million tons in 2025.

Russian polymer production Jan-Jun 2025

Russian production of plastics in primary forms decreased by 1.4% in the first half of 2025, amounting to 5.388 million tons.   Ethylene polymer production increased to 1.866 million tons from 1.773 million tons in the first half last year, whilst the production oof propylene polymers dropped from 1.084 million tons to 1.051 million tons. 

In all categories of plastic processing, a decrease in production was also recorded including polymer pipes which fell by 10.7% to 489,000 tons), polymer plates and unreinforced film by 3.7% to 779,000 tons and polymer boards and other film by 12.9% to 235,000 tons.  At the same time, growth was noted in the production of synthetic fibres by 9.7% to 106,000 tons.

Production of synthetic rubbers in the first half of 2025 amounted to 747,026 tons, which is 4% more than in the same period last year. The main increase was recorded in the first quarter.  The production of synthetic rubber increased despite the decline in consumption in the tyre industry.  In the first half of the year, the volume of tyres produced amounted to 22 million pieces, which is 12.5% less than a year earlier.

Russian chemical plant management in wartime

In addition to normal operational activity the management of chemical companies in Russia face serious challenges due to the constant threat of drone attacks. These threats include the possibility of sabotage, industrial espionage, and direct attacks that could lead to serious man-made disasters.  To address these challenges, comprehensive security measures must be put in place, including physical protection, drone detection and suppression systems, and the development of evacuation and emergency response plans.  Although some financial support is provided by the government some of the costs are absorbed by the companies themselves placing a burden. 

It is even more difficult for companies to find people now than money.  The industry employs 680,000 Russians, but there are still 186,000 vacancies.  At the recently opened silica gel production in Dzerzhinsk, the entire construction and launch was carried out by specialists from Turkey and India.  Already in the Russian labour market, there is a real battle for each graduate. The fact is that specialized specialists are hunted not only by chemical enterprises, but also by other industries.  

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