Czech crude imports Jan-Apr 2026

Imports of crude to the Czech Republic totalled 2.005 million tons in the first four months in 2026 against 1.662 million tons in the same period in 2025.  Azerbaijan shipped 520,000 tons of crude to the Czech Republic in the first four months in 2026 against 493,200 tons in the same period in 2025. 

Some of the lighter Azeri crude is processed at the Kralupy refinery.  The larger Litvinov refinery has switched to a combination of Norwegian and Saudi Arabian oil, amounting to 410,000 tons and 520,000 tons respectively for January to April 2026.  

Polish crude imports Jan-Apr 2026

From the total of 8.078 million tons of crude imported into Poland in the first four months in 2026, supplies from Saudi Arabia totalled 3.978

million tons followed by Norway which provided 2.855 million tons.  

Average prices for Polish crude purchases dropped from $539.4 per ton in the first four months in 2025 to $453.9 per ton in 2026.  Due to lower prices refining margins for the Orlen Group recovered steadily throughout 2025 but then started to fall in December.  Prices since the end of February have risen significantly.

Despite the Middle East crisis, Orlen has been able to keep fuel flowing largely because of the changes it made after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.  Orlen had gradually reduced its reliance on Russian crude and expanded direct supply agreements with Saudi Arabia and other producers.  This was shift that proved a game changer for Orlen. 

Orlen’s experience with different crudes

Recalibrating oil processing technology to allow the usage of non-Russian crude was started by Orlen over 15 years ago.  Orlen invested in upgrading its refineries and testing new blending recipes. The work allowed it to process a wider range of Middle Eastern and other crude grades without sacrificing as much output. 

While rival refiners were assessing which replacement grades their plants could handle, Orlen had laboratory data and operational experience to draw on, and also prepared a substitution plan for each contract. The options included bringing forward deliveries under long-term agreements, buying additional crude on the spot market and changing refinery blends if a scheduled cargo was delayed.  Orlen has increased the share of crude it buys directly from producers, reducing its reliance on the spot market and contracts arranged through intermediaries. 

Hungarian crude imports Jan-Apr 2026

Hungary imported only 548,800 tons in the period January to April 2026, against 1.719 million tons in 2025.  Supplies from Russia amounted to 1.650 million tons against only 168,200 tons this year.  Average prices for Russian crude rose to €473.7 per ton from €452.8 per ton in 2025.  Whilst the Druzhba has been down Hungary has been taking crude from Slovakia.  Russian oil exports to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline recovered to the normal level of 165,000 barrels per day in May. 

Polish petrochemical production Jan-Apr 2026

Ethylene production in Poland rose in the first four months to 106,081 tons against 94,000 tons in January to April 2025, whilst propylene dropped slightly from 134,300 tons to 133,117 tons.  Butadiene production dropped from 19,350 tons to 17,256 tons, whilst phenol production has not taken place so far this year. 

In the plastics sector polypropylene production dropped from 149,200 tons to 103,600 tons, whilst polyethylene dropped from 96,400 tons to 93,600 tons.  

Nowa Chemia-update

Nowa Chemia’s new installation will replace the Olefin II installations that have been operating for several decades. 

Orlen plans to obtain the first quality products from Nowa Chemia in 2029.  Orlen's flagship petrochemical investment is a slimmed down version of Olefin III. Covering an area of approximately 780 hectares.  Hyundai Engineering and the Spanish company Técnicas Reunidas are responsible for the implementation of the investment.

Nowa Chemia will optimize the cost and increase the production capacity of the company's two flagship products: ethylene by 15% to 740,000 tpa, and propylene by 10% to 340,000 tpa.  Nowa Chemia will replace the currently operating Olefin II installation.   The plant will also have a new PGH installation, i.e. a pyrolysis gasoline hydrogenation system, which is responsible for removing reactive compounds or sulphur from it. A styrene extraction plant is also being built at Plock for the first time from which it will be possible to obtain polystyrene.  Installations for the production of ethylene oxide and glycol are also being built.

Currently, the level of advancement of the Nowa Chemia project is over 80%.  Starting such a complex installation consists of many stages.  The first stage is deoxygenation of the installation, checking all flange connections: whether the systems themselves are well protected, twisted, and welded. Then hydrocarbons and the first mechanical start-ups are introduced.

European petrochemical producers seek support from the EU

European producers are closing plants and cutting jobs as the EU debates how hard to push back against China.  The European Commission is preparing new measures to prop up the EU’s chemicals industry as a wave of cheap Chinese imports pushes the sector downwards.  EU leaders will discuss a Commission effort to curb the Chinese supply glut at a summit on 18-19 June.  However, the Brussels machinery moves slowly, and drawing up measures could take months, or even years which is time that Europe’s chemical producers do not have. 

The EU executive is now looking at a series of options to save companies. These range from sectoral quotas and import restrictions to more aggressive targeted tariffs on Chinese producers.  European producers also argue for a loosening of rules against net zero and CO2 emissions.

Orlen Jan-Mar 2026

The first quarter this year for the Orlen Group’s petrochemical division continued along the pattern established in 2025, although some product groups showed comparative rises against last year.  Revenues from monomer sales dropped from €187.0 million in the first quarter to €158.9 million, whilst polymers rose from €174.5 million to €183.2 million.  PTA sales revenues rose from €65.7 million to €84.4 million, and plastics rose from €44.7 million to €84.4 million.  Both product groups benefited from higher sales volumes. 

Second quarter revenues are expected to rise sharply after the impact of the Middle East crisis on petrochemical prices.  Petrochemical margins for Orlen and the European market were generally lower in 2025 than in 2024.   In April this year margins rose slightly as prices increased and that trend is expected to continue.

Polish monomer imports, Jan-Apr 2026

Butadiene import prices for Poland dropped to €777.7 per ton in January-April 2026 against €939.9 per ton for 2025.   Shipments totalled 37,349 tons in the first four months against 39,775 tons in January to April 2025.  Germany increased exports in 2026 to 15,913 tons versus 14,968 tons in 2025, and Austria reduced shipments to 13,401 tons against 10,217 tons. 

Poland imported 28,091 tons of propylene in January to April 2026, against 31,129 tons in the same period in 2025. 

 Average import prices for propylene imports into Poland declined from €919.7 per ton in the first four months in 2025 to €825.6 in 2026.  However, prices recorded a substantial increase in April.    

Styrene imports into Poland rose from 33,349 tons in the first four months in 2025 against 37,358 tons in 2025.  Average prices fell to €1168.2 per ton against €1198.2 per ton in 2025.

Saudi Arabia provided 12,226 tons of styrene in the first four months this year, against 10,563 tons in the same period in 2025, followed by the US where deliveries rose from 6,081 tons to 8,462 tons.   

MOL reduced production due to accident

After the accident that took place at Tiszaujvaros on 29 May MOL’s preparations for the restoration of the Olefin-1 plant depend on the plant being disassembled and cleaned.  The damaged components will be dismantled, and the company will immediately begin procuring the equipment necessary for the restoration.   Following the technical inspection of the damaged equipment, MOL will have a more accurate picture of how long the restoration will take. Based on preliminary expert estimates, operations can resume after several months of work.  The accident could reduce annual profit by approximately $100-150 million, depending on the duration of the recovery, while direct damages could reach $100 million, at least part of which may be covered by insurance.

MOL’s purchase of NIS

MOL claims to have concluded negotiations with the Serbian government regarding the acquisition of a majority stake in Naftna Industrija Srbije, including the control of HIP-Petrohemija.  Should the transaction be completed managing Petrohemija could pose serious challenges to MOL.  The petrochemical plant is incurring losses and needs substantial investment just in the modernisation of existing facilities besides new projects such as the construction of a polypropylene plant.  Regarding feedstocks the complex is totally dependent on the adjacent refinery at Pancevo where US sanctions could be removed in the event of a successful acquisition by MOL or another non-Russian company.

Hungarian monomer trade, Jan-Apr 2026

Hungarian butadiene exports amounted to 12,107 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 12,564 tons in the first four months in 2025.  Exports to Poland rose from 9,645 tons in January to April 2025 to 11,219 tons in 2026, whilst exports to the Czech republic declined from 2,189 tons to 889 tons.  Butadiene is exported from MOL’s Tiszaujvaros complex, with Poland as the largest destination.   Prices increased from €710.4 per ton in 2025 to €773.2 in 2026.

Exports of propylene from Hungary amounted to 10,708 tons in January to April 2026 against 32,678 tons in January to April 2025.  Propylene production in Hungary has been affected by the lack of crude supply in the first part of 2026.  Shipments to Slovnaft in Slovakia were reduced from 22,860 tons to 10,708 tons, whilst no deliveries were made to Poland this year.  Prices averaged €842.2 per ton in 2026 against €1061.2 per ton in January to April 2025. 

Styrene imports into Hungary declined from 25,281 tons in January to April 2025 against 15,646 tons in 2026.  Average prices fell to €1291.6 per ton against €1307.2 per ton in 2025.  Imports are dominated by shipments from Italy where volumes amounted to 13,220 tons. 

Czech olefin monomer trade, Jan-Apr 2026

Czech ethylene imports amounted to only 90 tons in the first four months this year against 1,697 tons in the same period in 2025.  Czech propylene imports dropped from 24,769 tons to 11,477 tons.  Germany supplied 30,742 tons in 2025 and Poland 15,002 tons.  Butadiene imports into the Czech Republic amounted to 17,435 tons compared to 17,627 tons. 

Ethylene exports from the Czech Republic amounted to 2,197 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 4,924 tons in the same period in 2025, whilst propylene exports rose to 3,563 tons.  Most of the ethylene is delivered by pipeline to Bohlen in Germany whilst several thousand tons was exported to Slovnaft in Slovakia last year.  Styrene imports into the Czech Republic amounted to 3,744 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 10,358 tons in the same period in 2025.  Average prices for styrene imports into the Czech Republic dropped from €1200.4 per ton to €1053.0 per ton in the first four months in 2026.  

Czech polyethylene trade Jan-Apr 2026

For imports of all forms of polyethylene, Czech inward shipments amounted to 101,197 tons in January to April 2026 against 101,966 tons in the same period in 2025.  Average prices of imports rose from €1502.8 per ton to €1573.5 per ton.  Germany was the largest source of polyethylene imports, followed by the Netherlands and Belgium.

Polyethylene exports from the Czech Republic amounted to 129,441 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 133,270 tons in the same period in 2025.  Average prices increased from €1394.7 per ton to €1417.9 per ton. 

HDPE export shipments comprised 108,687 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 112,250 tons in the same period in 2025.  Germany was the largest destination for Czech HDPE supplied from Litvinov.  Other important markets for Czech polyethylene exports include Poland, Italy and Belgium.

European polyethylene spot prices have increased 100% on the low end since the end of February, due to the Middle East conflict, and are now heading for historical highs, with LDPE higher than even during the 2022 Russian invasion crisis.

Although there is increasing resistance to price hikes, especially as they pass down the chain, suppliers are indicating that there could be higher offers to come.  At the same time there are concerns over raw material security and producers may have to concentrate sales on contract customers rather than spot sales. 

Polish polyethylene trade Jan-Apr 2026

Polish imports of polyethylene totalled 519,918 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 452,431 tons in the same period in 2025, with average prices falling from €1314.9 per ton to €1286.4 per ton. 

HDPE is the largest category of imported polyethylene into Poland, amounting to 166,716 tons in January to April 2026 versus 141,812 tons in 2025.  Germany is the largest supplier of HDPE to the Polish market.  

LLDPE imports rose from 71,597 tons in January to April 2025 to 81,597 tons in the corresponding period in 2026.  Most of the LLDPE imports were sourced from West Europe, including France, the Netherlands and Germany.  LDPE imports rose to 129,708 tons in January to April 2026 from 114,212 tons in the corresponding period in 2025.    Imports from ethylene alpha olefins increased from 98,641 tons to 111,850 tons.

Polish polyethylene exports amounted to 83,393 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 105,003 tons in 2025.  Average prices for polyethylene exports increased from €1098.6 per ton to €1210.5 per ton.  Exports of HDPE from Poland amounted to 50,552 tons in January to April 2026 versus 64,679 tons in the same period in 2025 whilst LDPE exports dropped from 17,473 tons to 16,225 tons.  Exports of ethylene alpha olefins from Poland amounted to 4,509 tons in January to April 2026.  In addition to the production of ethylene polymers at Plock, exports are assisted by reexported imports.

Hungarian polyethylene trade Jan-Apr 2026

Imports of all grades of polyethylene into Hungary amounted to 55,743 tons in January to April 2026 against 57,727 tons in January to April 2025.  Hungarian import prices for polyethylene amounted to €1585.1 per ton against €1578.4.  The largest category of polyethylene imports comprised HDPE, which dropped from 24,333 tons to 22,903 tons.

Exports of LDPE from Hungary decreased from 13,890 tons in the first four months in 2026 to 6,688 tons in January-April 2026.  HDPE exports dropped from 76,346 tons to 53,409 tons in January-April 2026.

Hungarian polyethylene exports amounted to 63,641 tons in January to April 2026 against 105,455 tons in January to April 2025.  Average prices of polyethylene exports rose from €1227.0 per ton to €1322.6 per ton. 

Should MOL be approved of the takeover of Petrohemija, as part of the NIS holding, the additional polyethylene capacity will make it the largest producer in Central and East Europe.  Other advantages currently include additional propylene capacity which may help to improve the supply/demand balance between Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia.  

Polish PP Trade Jan-Apr 2026

Polish polypropylene imports, including homo grade and copolymers, amounted to 355,249 tons against 318,474 tons in the same period in 2025.   Imports of propylene copolymers rose slightly from 106,903 tons to 113,189 tons. Average prices for all types of polypropylene imports decreased from €1459.3 per ton to €1356.8 per ton. 

Export shipments from Poland dropped to 88,647 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 109,616 tons in January to April 2025.  Homo polymer grades comprised the main category of Polish polypropylene exports, where Germany was the largest destination.  Average export prices rose from €1338.4 per ton in 2025 to €1371.6

Hungarian polypropylene trade Jan-Apr 2026

Exports of all forms of polypropylene from Hungary amounted to 70,093 tons in January to April 2026 versus 78,965 tons in the corresponding period in 2025.  Average prices of exports declined from €1337 per ton to €1371.9.  Homo-grade PP provides the main category of Hungarian polypropylene exports, amounting to 37,395 tons this year versus 40,419 tons in January to April 2025.  Exports from propylene copolymers dropped from 36,654 tons to 29,616 tons.

For imports of all forms of polypropylene, Hungarian inward shipments increased to 68,705 tons in January to April 2026 versus 64,718 tons in the corresponding period in 2025.  Imports of propylene copolymers into Hungary increased from 6,770 tons to 7,688 tons whilst homo grade polypropylene imports rose from 19.349 tons to 22,609 tons.  

Czech polypropylene trade Jan-Apr 2026

Exports of all forms of polypropylene from the Czech Republic amounted to 106,789 tons in January to April 2026 versus 98,572 tons in the same period in 2025.  Average export prices declined from €1453.4 per ton in 2025 to €1434.9 per ton in 2026.  

For imports of all forms of polypropylene, Czech inward shipments amounted to 177,960 tons in January to April 2026 against 177,497 tons in the same period in 2025, with average prices dropping from €1553.0 per ton to €1418.2 per ton. 

Hungarian synthetic rubber trade Jan-Apr 2026

Hungarian imports of synthetic rubber amounted to 21,317 tons in January to April 2026 against 32,331 tons in January to April 2025.  Average prices dropped from €2465.9 per ton to €2124.1 in 2026. 

Butadiene rubber imports into Hungary amounted to 10,584 in 2026 to 10,612 tons, with the largest source coming from Indonesia.  SBR imports dropped from 17,186 tons to 6,814 tons. 

Synthetic rubber exports from Hungary amounted to 19,493 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 21,874 tons in the same period in 2025.  Prices for exports increased from €2795.4 per ton to €2218.3 per ton in 2026.

Czech rubber trade Jan-Apr 2026

Exports of synthetic rubber from the Czech Republic amounted to 47,903 tons in January to April 2025 versus 47,215 tons in the same period in 2025.  At the same time imports increased from 48,618 tons to 65,970 tons in 2026.  Natural rubber imports rose from 27,051 tons to 28,981 tons.

Despite a rise in prices in April Czech synthetic rubber export prices were down to €1856.4 per ton in 2026 to €2062.5 per ton in 2025 whilst import prices dropped from €2173.2 per ton to €1614.3. Natural rubber prices decreased last year to €1884.6 per ton from €2270.6 per ton in January to April 2025.

Czech butadiene rubber trade Jan-Apr 2026

The Czech Republic exported 40,769 tons of butadiene rubber in the first four months against 39,937 tons in the same period in 2025.  Average prices dropped from €1969.8 per ton to €1746.3 per ton.  Czech exports of butadiene rubber to Poland amounted to 6,331 tons in January to April 2026 against 5,073 tons in the same period in 2025.  

Polish rubber exports Jan-Apr 2026

Synthetic rubber exports from Poland amounted to 98,780 tons in January to April 2026 against 103,303 tons in the same period in 2025.   Exports of butadiene rubber from Poland amounted to 20,613 tons in January to April 2026 versus 16,260 tons in the same period in 2025.   The largest category of rubber exports is concentrated on SBR grades.

For all types of synthetic rubber imports into Poland average prices increased from €1919.5 per ton in January to April 2024 to €2245.2 in 2025.  Due largely to demand side factors Poland rose imports to 77,098 tons against 74,792 tons in the same period in 2025. 

In the first four months this year imports of butadiene rubber into Poland totalled 16,564 tons versus 17,340 tons in January to April 2025.  Import prices amounted to €2102.4 per ton in the first four months this year.

Polish benzene exports Jan-Apr 2026

Polish exports of benzene totalled 40,996 tons in January to April 2026 against 29,893 tons in the same period in 2025.  Exports to Germany increased from 24,727 tons to 30,942 tons in 2026, with average prices dropping from €824.4 per ton to €665.3 per ton. 

The average contract price of benzene on the European market declined steadily during 2025 but has since increased due to the Hormuz crisis. 

Polish PTA exports Jan-Apr 2026

PTA exports amounted to 125,708 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 74,881 tons in the same period in 2025.  Exports to Germany rose from 69,583 tons to 115,807 tons.  Average prices for PTA exports from Poland changed from €741.9 per ton to €688.0 per ton in January to April 2026.   

Polish aromatic imports Jan-Apr 2026

Phenol imports into Poland amounted to 44,852 tons in January to April 2026 which was up from 34,249 tons in the same period in 2025.  Germany was the dominant supplier of phenol to Poland, shipping 31,537 tons against 29,247 tons in the same period in 2025.    Average prices for phenol imported into Poland rose slightly from €1020.2 per ton to €1076.9 per ton in 2026.  

In other product areas, styrene imports into Poland amounted to 38,631 tons in the period January to April 2026 against 36,262 tons in the same period in 2025.  Aside the Netherlands and Belgium, other supplies came from the US and Saudi Arabia. 

Average prices for styrene imports into Poland dropped from €1353.5 per ton to €1165.8 per ton in 2026.  Ethylbenzene imports amounted to 34,298 tons against 33,246 tons in the same period last year.  All the ethylbenzene was shipped from Kralupy to Oswiecim, all within the structures of the Synthos Group.

Czech aromatic trade Jan-Apr 2026

Czech aniline exports amounted to 23,572 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 40,768 tons in the same period in 2025.  Hungary was the main recipient, and BorsodChem the customer.  In other areas of Czech aromatic exports benzene increased from 9,654 tons in January to April 2025 against 14,451 tons in 2026.  Ethylbenzene exports amounted to 34,296 tons against 36,197 tons.  The product is supplied solely from the Kralupy plant in the Czech Republic.

Hungary exported 1,331 tons of benzene in the first four months against 14,586 tons in the same period in 2025, with average prices rising from €779.5 per ton to €854.6 per ton, whilst imports increased from 14,141 tons to 27,577 tons with prices rose from €748.9 per ton to €770.1 in 2026.  Imports of toluene dropped from 19,270 tons to 4,568 tons, with prices dropping slightly from €922.3 per ton to €906.2.

Hungarian TDI exports in January to April 2026 amounted to 59,374 tons against 102,182 tons in January to April 2025.  Average prices dropped from €1986.3 per ton to €1936.1 per ton. 

Exports of TDI from Hungary to Belgium amounted to 6,643 tons in January to April 2026 against 16,660 tons in January to April last year, whilst volumes to Italy dropped from 12,120 tons to 5,455 tons. 

MDI exports from Hungary amounted in January to April to 79,832 tons against 80,309 tons in January to April 2025.  MDI export prices dropped to €1936.1 per ton against €1986.3 per ton in 2025.     Canada was the largest destination in the first four months, taking 6,892 tons from Hungary.

BorsodChem made a price adjustment in March and April due to the effects of the war in the Middle East which may be at the end now, or simply taking a pause.   

As a major MDI producer in Europe, BorsodChem's price adjustment reflects how rising energy costs triggered by geopolitical conflicts are quickly being passed down the chemical industry chain. This may have a cascading impact on costs and market prices in downstream industries such as polyurethane, insulation materials, and automotive components in Europe.

Central European isocyanate trade Jan-Apr 2026

TDI and MDI prices rose in April in all the main consuming regions, although the Middle East crisis may be over the full effects are yet to be felt.   Both MDI and TDI are applied across multiple sectors including aerospace, transportation, construction, and home appliances. MDI is primarily used in rigid and semi-rigid polyurethane foams, widely applied in building insulation materials, refrigerators, and freezers requiring structural strength. TDI is mainly used in flexible polyurethane foams for soft furniture applications such as sofa cushions, mattresses, and automotive seats. 

TDI imports into Poland amounted to a total of 24,119 tons in January to April 2026 against 20,349 tons in January to April 2025.   Prices of TDI imported into Poland dropped from €1988.6 per ton in 2025 to €1976.3 per ton.  Hungary was the largest supplier in the first four months in 2026, shipping 12,184 tons to Poland versus 20,349 tons in January to April 2025.  

MDI imports into the Czech Republic totalled 12,374 tons in January to April 2026 against 13,407 tons in the same period in 2025.  The leading supplier this year so far was Belgium with 3,374 tons followed by Hungary with 3,200 tons.  Average prices rose from €2002.5 per ton last year to €2018.2 per ton.                                                       

Czech polyol imports Jan-Apr 2026

Czech polyol imports amounted to 17,927 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 16,482 tons in the same period in 2025.  France was the largest supplier in the first four months.  Average prices dropped to €1943.3 per ton against to €2172.6 in the first four months in 2025.

Hungarian polyol imports Jan-Apr 2026

Imports of polyols into Hungary rose in the first four months in 2026 to 6,556 tons against 5,565 tons in the same period in 202.  Imports from China amounted to 1,606 tons in the first four months.

European polyol market 2026

A very large supply of inventory polyols were stored on the European market at the start of 2026 from the continuation of aggressive imports by Chinese suppliers.  By March Chinese imports started to be affected from outbreak of war in the Middle East, blocking transport routes from Asia and the Middle East.  In addition, at least one producer of propylene oxide in Europe has shifted production to propylene glycol, which is more profitable during this period.  

Since April, there have been marked increases in raw material prices, which has to some extent influenced the increase in the prices of polyether polyols. 

Deliveries from China were clearly less visible in March.  The market shifted from long supply weak demand in January to limited supply still weak demand in March, with price levels increasingly determined by energy costs, logistics and commodity availability rather than by volume growth.

PCC Rokita-polyol sales

Poland’s main producer of polyols PCC Rokita exports around two thirds of production from the Brzeg Dolny site and mostly to European destinations.  The company focuses essentially on two polyol groups, polyester and polyether.  Sales of polyester polyols in the Polish market were higher for PCC Rokita in 2025, whilst demand for polyether polyols was more restricted.  PCC Rokita has been close to using its full production capacity for polyester polyols which go mostly into polyurethane insulation panels.  For polyether polyols, the key market is flexible foams which are used mainly in the furniture industry. 

In the group of polyester polyols, in the first quarter of this year, there was a low but balanced demand with supply. PCC Rokita's sales were at a slightly higher level compared to those recorded in the first quarter of 2025. Market prices for polyester polyols were slightly lower, although it was still a fairly good level. Raw materials were generally available, with the war in the Middle East causing increases in commodity prices that were gradually translated into product prices.  The EBITDA margin rose from 2.4% in the first quarter last year to 4.9% in the first quarter in 2026. 

Hungarian maleic anhydride exports Jan-Apr 2026

Hungary exported 6,278 tons of maleic anhydride in January to April against 6,347 tons in January to April 2025.  Average prices declined from €1401.8 per ton to €1185.8 per ton.  Exports of maleic anhydride to Poland from Hungary dropped from 1,097 tons in 2025 to 936 tons in 2026.

Hungarian organic chemical exports Jan-Apr 2026

Exports of organic chemicals from Hungary totalled 469,045 tons in 2025, down from 579,296 tons in 2024.  The largest commodity in the organic chemical sector is TDI, accounting for 41% of Hungarian organic chemical exports in January to April by volume and 33% by value.  Overall, the value of organic chemical exports from Hungary amounted to €1.346 billion in 2025 which was down from €1.249 billion in January to April 2024.  Imports of organic chemicals dropped from 692,690 tons in 2024 to 653,540 tons in 2025, with values dropping from €1.524 million to €1.451 million.

Hungarian aniline & acrylonitrile imports Jan-Apr 2026

Aniline imports into Hungary dropped from 21,288 tons in January to April 2025 to 20,509 tons in January to April 2026.  Inward shipments al came from BorsodChem-MCHZ in the Czech Republic.  Cost prices of aniline imports dropped from €1353.3 per ton to €1264.5 per ton.

Polish organic chemical imports Jan-Apr 2026

Methanol is the largest organic chemical imported into Poland, with volumes totalling 247,044 tons in January to April 2025 against 210,057 tons in the same period in 2025.   For other organic chemical imports Poland imported 12,011 tons of acetic acid in January to April against 9,459 tons in January to April 2025.  The US provided 7,587 tons this year. 

Ethyl acetate imports into Poland amounted to 5,527 tons in January to April 2026 against 3,618 tons in January to April 2025.  Belgium provided the largest share of imports. 

Maleic anhydride imports into Poland amounted to 3,976 tons in January-April 2026, versus 3,922 tons in the previous year.  Imports are currently sourced from Germany, Hungary and South Korea.  Isopropanol imports into Poland amounted to 4,750 tons in January-April 2026, down from 5,976 tons in the previous year.  Aside Germany, imports come from the Netherlands and South Africa.

Polish glycol/oxide imports Jan-Apr 2026

Ethylene glycol imports into Poland amounted to 16,787 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 8,897 tons in the same period last year.  Belgium is the main supplier of glycols to the Polish market.  DEG imports increased to 11,908 tons against 11,103 tons.  PCC Exol is the main consumer of ethylene oxide in Poland.  Polish import prices for ethylene glycol rose to €756.0 per ton in April against €525.9 per ton in March.

Polish ethylene oxide market

The PCC Exol Group is the largest consumer of ethylene oxide in Poland.  The company recorded margins of 17.3% in 2025 which was unchanged from 2024.  Revenues also include sales of ethylene oxide to PCC Group companies, accounting for more than 40% of group revenues in the first three quarters in 2025. 

The PCC Exol Group ended the first quarter of 2026 with the highest quarterly sales volume in its history, reaching 36,000 tons. This represented an increase of over 1,200 tons compared to the record-breaking first quarter of 2025. However, the Group's record sales volumes did not translate into an increase in sales value due to lower average selling prices in the first quarter of 2026.

PCC Exol operates in two locations, Brzeg Dolny and Plock, at a total of five plants: Ethoxylation I and II, Sulphation I and II, and Industrial Formulations. The company's total production capacity after completing the investment in the expansion of the Plock plant is approximately 184,000 tpa, depending on the product range. Production of more complex and specialized products will reduce the plant's capacity. Furthermore, production capacity is used to produce semi-finished products for internal needs.

PCC Exol's purchasing strategy for the strategic raw material ethylene oxide is based on long-term cooperation with the leading supplier, Orlen and short-term agreements with other contractors.  Orlen and PCC Exol are currently working on a 25-year agreement that started in January 2024.   The agreement with Orlen provides for an increase in ethylene oxide supplies compared to the quantities previously purchased.  

Last year saw an increase in the production of PCC Exol’s non-ionic surfactants based on ethylene oxide, taking place at the expanded plant in Plock.  Aside ethylene oxide the strategic raw materials used by PCC Exol in the production of surfactants include oleochemicals (natural fatty alcohols and oils), and synthetic alcohols.

Czech organic chemical trade Jan-Apr 2026

Czech organic chemical exports amounted in value to €379.2 in the first four months in 2026 against €447.7 million in 2025, with volumes dropping rising from 176,900 tons to 189,300 tons.  

Imports of organic chemicals into the Czech Republic witnessed price increases across the board in April in accordance with the higher prices of crude.  Acetone saw the largest price rise from €859.7 per ton in March to €1483.0 per ton in April whilst propylene glycol rose from €1285.7 ton to €1808.0 per ton.  European phenol and acetone markets will continue to face the dual threats of high feedstock and energy costs and low underlying demand in the second half of Q2.

Acetone spot prices are dropping as the supply crunch felt earlier in the year eases on higher local and import volumes.  The higher propylene feedstock contract price in April decreased the profitability of acetone spot against propylene, but it remained above the propylene contract level.

Czech methanol imports Jan-Apr 2026

Czech imports of methanol amounted to 24,099 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 14,929 tons in the same period in 2025.  Prices per ton for methanol imports dropped from €532.9 to €359.2 per ton.  The US supplied 12,989 tons in January to April 2026, whilst imports into Poland dropped to 4,280 tons versus 6,742 tons.

Hungarian methanol imports Jan-Apr 2026

Methanol imports into Hungary in January to April increased to 35,731 tons against 36,946 tons in January to April 2025.  Imports from Germany increased from 18,303 tons to 21,985 tons, replacing sources from Poland and Slovakia. 

Imports from Slovenia into Hungary amounted to 4,171 tons in January to April 2026 against 5,877 tons in the same period in 2025.  Average prices of methanol imports into Hungary amounted to €405.2 per ton against €526.2 per ton in 2025.

Polish methanol trade Jan-Apr 2026

Polish imports of methanol amounted to 247,044 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 210,057 tons in January to April 2025.    Average prices dropped to €311.8 per ton against €424.6 per ton in 2025.

The US supplied 88,695 tons of methanol to Poland in the first four months in 2026 against 36,557 tons in 2025.  Norway was the next largest supplier, shipping 55,499 tons followed by Venezuela with 44,141 tons.  Imports from Belgium declined from 26,349 tons to 13,410 tons in January to April 2026. 

Polish imports of methanol amounted to 661,182 tons in 2025 against 627,119 tons in January to December 2024.    Average prices in amounted to €364.1 per ton against €327.9 per ton in 2024.

Exports of methanol from Poland amounted to 79,799 tons in January to April 2026, rising from 61,590 tons in the same period in 2025.  Polish methanol export prices dropped from €470.6 to €379.1 per ton but recorded a rise in April.  The largest destination for Polish exports was Germany which took 32,561 tons in January to April 2026 against 35,941 tons in the same period in 2025.  Ukraine imported 13,175 tons against 6,959 tons last year. 

The Russian chemical industry overall recorded negative results in April, although the industry was not close not at the very bottom of the table of industrial sectors.  The fuel crisis that has emerged in Russia in the past two months could pose a threat to production and operating levels unless the Kremlin decides to seek peace.

According to official statistics, the production of chemicals and substances in April 2026 decreased by 2.4% compared to the same period last year.  April was fourth month in a row which has seen a fall, averaging a monthly decline of 1.5-2.5%.   In the first four months in 2026, the production index decreased by 2% compared to the same period in 2025.  Both in diplomatic and military circles Russia now finds itself on the backfoot in relation to the war in Ukraine.  It seems clear that Russia cannot win against Ukraine, but the longer it stays engaged the worse the impact in the long term if the country survives in its current shape. 

Russian petrochemical production Jan-Apr 2026

Russian ethylene production amounted to 1.511 million tons in the first four months in 2026 against 1.541 million tons in January to April 2025, whilst propylene production increased from 883,939 tons to 917,624 tons.  Benzene production dropped from 444,181 tons to 440,608 tons, whilst a drop was recorded in styrene production from 256,205 tons to 244,592 tons. 

In other area of aromatic production toluene rose from 101,091 tons to 139,921 tons, whilst orthoxylene dropped from 66,318 tons to 54,629 tons and paraxylene dropped from 86,431 tons to 78,851 tons.  Ethylene glycol production increased from 120,588 tons to 152,158 tons.  Acetic acid production dropped from 67,288 tons in the period January to April 2025 to 62,161 tons in 2026.  Methanol production dropped from 1.399 million tons in the first four months in 2025 to 1.375 million tons in 2026.

Russian polymer production Jan-Apr 2026

Since November last year, the volume of polymer production has been growing steadily in Russia.  This amounted to 4.4% in April, and overall, for the first four months it rose by 1.8%.  The consumption of polymers, however, shows a mixed picture.   Thus, in April, compared to the same period last year, the manufacture of polymer plates and films rose by 5.3% and chemical fibres jumped by as much as 19.6%.  On the other hand, materials for the construction market continue to fall, whilst the production of polymer pipes fell by 3.1% in April and other films by 15.5%.   To give another example, materials for the floor, walls and ceiling fell even lower by 25.6%.

Regarding the production of bulk plastics in Russia, polyethylene rose from 1.225 million tons in the first four months in 2025 to 1.322 million tons in the same period in 2026, boosted by the start-up of the Irkutsk Polymer Plant.  The production of propylene polymers in Russia increased from 758,259 tons to 776,166 tons in the first four months in 2026.  The production of synthetic rubbers in primary forms dropped from 526,141 tons to 484,409 tons due directly to the stoppage at Nizhnekamskneftekhim after the accident at the end of March   PET production dropped slightly from 224,414 tons to 224,072 tons.  PET is the one main polymer where Russia is dependent on imports. 

Metafrax Chemicals-drone strike 23 May 2026

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) struck the AKM chemical complex of Metafrax Chemicals at Gubakha on 23 May, which is 1,700 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.  The strike was the third Ukrainian deep-strike operation against this same chemical complex in eight months. Ukraine's military intelligence agency first struck the plant in September 2025.  Defence systems protecting the Gubakha chemical complex had been disabled by partizan groups working inside Russia, enabling the success of the strike.  The Metafrax Chemicals plant supplies dozens of Russian military production facilities, including aviation, drones, rocket engines, and explosives.  

Drone strike on Azot Novmoskovsk 14 June 2026

Ukraine struck Azot at Novomoskovsk in the Tula Oblast on 14 June.  The Azot plant was set ablaze following strikes.    Novomoskovsk is located about 395 kilometres from Ukraine.  The Azot plant is critical for Russia's explosives production. 

Drone strike on major Russian rubber producers 11 June 2026

Drone strikes took place on both Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Togliattikaucuk on 11 June, causing fires but not affecting production.  Ukrainian drones struck the Togliatti rubber factory, on the Volga River in Samara Oblast in the morning hours of 12 June.  Located over 1,200 kilometres (745 miles) from the closest point to Ukraine's border, Nizhnekamskneftekhim the largest petrochemical complex in Russia.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim (NKNK) drops into the red

Nizhnekamskneftekhim entered loss-making territory in early 2026, driven above all by the collapse of the tyre industry which is its core consumer of synthetic rubber. The company was already burdened by high interest costs, and a major industrial accident at the end of March 2026 added a further 858 million roubles in losses.  The accident affected the neodymium SKD (SKD-N) production line which is down for repairs.

In the first quarter of 2026, NKNK recorded a net loss of 5.6 billion roubles, compared against a 19.8 billion rouble profit in the same period of 2025.  Revenue fell 24.6% to 54.2 billion roubles, while gross profit dropped almost fourfold to 4.1 billion roubles. Sales profit fell from 13.2 billion to 1.8 billion roubles.

The most damaging factor in the first quarter was the contraction of the synthetic rubber market, triggered by the collapse of the tyre industry. Tyre production in Russia fell by 17.3% in Q1 2026 after a 19.9% decline in 2025.  Fewer new cars meant fewer tyres for OEM supply, directly reducing rubber demand. Regarding the export market a stronger rouble further eroded competitiveness.  Without a weaker rouble, lower interest rates, and a rebound in global industrial demand, the company risks even deeper losses in the second half of 2026.

SIBUR produced 800,000 tons of rubber in 2025, with fewer than 200,000 tons sold domestically. This was not a strategic shift toward exports but a reflection of a shrinking Russian market. Excess volumes were redirected to China at dumping prices.  SIBUR expects 2026 to remain difficult, as Russian tyre producers cannot compete with Chinese imports due to outdated equipment and weaker cost positions.

Russian ethylene production Jan-Apr 2026

Russian ethylene production totalled 1.512 million tons in the first four months in 2026 against 1.541 million tons in January to April 2025. 

ZapSibNeftekhim at Tobolsk produced 536,672 tons in January to April 2026, up from 516,874 tons from January to April 2025.  Stavrolen at Budyennovsk has not produced ethylene in the first four months due to necessary repairs following drone attacks.  Production in the Volga region increased from 748,699 tons in 2025 to 785,037 tons in 2026.   The Siberian Federal District saw ethylene production increased from 163,002 tons to 190,137 tons. 

Russian propylene production Jan-Apr 2026

Russian propylene production totalled 918,619 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 883,927 tons in the same period in 2025.  ZapSibNeftekhim at Tobolsk increased production from 339,302 tons in January to April 2025 to 364,717 tons in the same period in 2026, whilst the plants in the Volga region increased production from 326,593 tons to 376,035 tons.  Production at the Budyennovsk plant in the North Caucasus dropped from 48,857 tons to 903 tons whilst in Siberia the combined production of the Tomsk and Angarsk plant resulted in 176,964 tons versus 169,176 tons in 2025. 

Russian butadiene production Jan-Apr 2026

Russian butadiene production increased in the first four months to 215,755 tons versus 223,508 tons in the same period in 2025.  Production at the three sites in the Volga region increased from 116,082 tons to 125,231 tons.   

Russian benzene-toluene production Jan-Apr 2026

Benzene production amounted to 440,607 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 444,181 tons in the same period in 2025.  The Volga region for benzene production is the largest in Russia, increasing production from 272,074 tons in 2025 to 306,011 tons in the same period in 2026.  Russian toluene production increased from 101,091 tons in the first four months in 2025 to 139,921 tons in 2026.

Russian styrene production amounted to 244,592 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 256,205 tons in the same period in 2025. Production in the Volga region takes place at Nizhnekamsk and Salavat, and the region accounted for 216,117 tons in the period January to April 2026, down from 227,930 tons in the same period in 2025. 

Russian bulk plastics production amounted to 2.798 million tons in January to April 2026 against 2.771 million tons in the same period in 2025. 

Russian ethylene polymer production Jan-Apr 2026

Production of ethylene polymers in Russia amounted to 1.335 million tons in January to April 2026, up from 1.276 million tons in the same period in 2025.  Production was boosted towards the end of 2025 by the start-up of HDPE production at the new unit at Irkutsk Polymer Plant.

The largest plant for the production of ethylene polymers is ZapSibNeftekhim at Tobolsk, located in the Ural Federal District.  ZapSibNeftekhim produced 546,029 tons in January to April 2026 against 532,458 tons in January to April 2025, nearly all of which comprised main polyethylene grades HDPE and LLDPE.

The second largest region in Russia is the Volga Federal District where production increased from 436,706 tons in January to April 2025 to 445,088 tons in January to April 2026.  The Volga district includes producers from Bashkortostan including Gazprom neftekhim Salavat and Ufaorgsintez, and from Tatarstan Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Kazanorgsintez.   

Russian polyethylene trade Jan-Apr 2026

Russian polyethylene exports to China increased from 168,833 tons in January to April 2025 to 267,769 tons in the same period in 2026, with both HDPE and LDPE showing rises.   HDPE from the new plant at Irkutsk has been targeted on the Chinese market.  Average prices for Russian polyethylene exports to China dropped from $851.7 per ton to $778.4 per ton in 2026. 

Inward shipments of polyethylene from China into Russia rose in the first four months in 2025 from 23,446 tons to 31,131 tons in 2026.  Average prices increased from dropped from $1654.0 to $1545.9 per ton. 

Russian polypropylene production Jan-Apr 2025

Russian production of propylene polymers totalled 385,838 tons in January to April 2026 against 373,394 tons in 2025. 

ZapSibNeftekhim increased production from 189,671 tons to 195,207 tons in January to April 2026, whilst Stavrolen at Budyennovsk reduced production slightly from 22,293 tons to 20,552 tons.   The Siberian Federal District includes polypropylene plants at Omsk and Tomsk, where production rose from 373,394 tons to 385,838 tons.

Russian polypropylene trade Jan-Apr 2026

Revenues from Russian exports of polypropylene homo grade to China dropped from $48.758 million in the first four months in 2025 to $48.339 million in the same period in 2026.  By volume Russian polypropylene exports increased from 56,577 tons to 69,067 tons.  

Chinese exports of propylene polymers to Russia amounted to 14,892 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 9,036 tons in the same period in 2025.    Prices amounted to $1994.2 per ton in 2026, down from $2233.5 in 2025.  Chinese exports usually consist of higher-grade copolymers. 

Russian PVC production and trade Jan-Apr 2026

Russian PVC suspension grade production totalled 774,063 tons in January to April 2025 against 745,421 tons in the same period in 2024.  The Volga region, which includes plants at Kstovo and Sterlitamak, accounted for 476,204 tons in January to April against 450,375 tons in the same period in 2024.   Sayanskkhimplast is the only PVC producer in Siberia, producing 220,163 tons in the against 225,826 tons in January to April 2024.  The plant is supplied with ethylene from the Angarsk Polymer Plant by pipeline.

Russian PVC market Jan-Apr 2026

Imports of PVC from China into Russia dropped to a total of 50,898 tons in January to April 2026 against 75,209 tons in 2025.  Shipments of PVC suspension grade dropped from 38,497 tons to 18,688 tons whilst emulsion grade dropped from 36,712 tons to 20,105 tons.

Russian paraxylene production amounted to 78,851 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 86,431 tons in the same period in 2025.  Gazprom Neft at Omsk increased production from 20,448 tons to 24,031 tons whilst Ufaneftekhim reduced production from 47,956 tons to 41,449 tons.  The only Russian PTA producer Polief gets around 75% of paraxylene from Bashneft and the remainder from the Omsk refinery.

Tatneft PX-PTA-PET project

Tatneft has completed the first stage of its project for the production of PET, which comprises the production of paraxylene with a capacity of 347,000 tpa.    The second stage of the project provides for the creation of a complex for the production of up to 1 million tpa of PTA.  The capacity of the first stage of the PET plant is expected to be will be 450,000 tpa, with further expansion to 700,000 tpa of various polyester products is planned to be considered additionally.

The amount of investments in the creation of the production complex is estimated at more than 300 billion roubles; The Russian government has decided to subsidize the interest rate on loans in the amount of about 50 billion roubles, as well as to provide land for the construction of an enterprise with an area of about 49 hectares.

The resulting products are focused on the domestic market and export, including the provision of raw materials to Ekopet at Kaliningrad.  As a result, a full-cycle production of synthetic fibres and yarns, as well as polymers that are in demand in the light industry, will be created in Russia. Additional supplies of these materials will reach 450,000 tpa and will provide a significant share of the domestic market.

PTA production at Polief amounted to 115,686 tons in January to April 2026 against 113,130 tons in 2025.  Regarding Polief, SIBUR does not plan to expand its capacity and considers its PX-PTA chain to be balanced.  Polief provides PTA for further after processing into PET in the Tver region as in Bashkortostan.

Almost half of the PTA required by the Russian industry is purchased in China. In 2025, Russia imported 330,000 tons from China with a demand of more than 660,000 tpa.  Polief can produce in the range of 330-360,000 tpa of PTA.  Up to 220,000 tpa of paraxylene are produced in the country, which is also in demand in the production of high-octane gasoline.   

Russian PET production Jan-Apr 2026

Ekopet produced 76,405 tons of PET in the first four months in 2026 against 82,820 tons in January to April 2025, whilst the combined plants of Senezh and SIBUR-PETF produced 65,905 tons against 69,371 tons.  Polief increased PET production to 81,762 tons versus 72,222 tons last year.  PET production in Russia amounted to a total of 224,072 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 224,414 tons in the same period in 2025. 

Although PET prices have risen sharply since the US began its attacks on Iran, but the share of the cost of PET packaging (bottle, preform) in the retail price of a product unit is only about 1-3%.  Raw materials have risen in price due to the current situation in international markets and logistics, but the contribution of this factor to the final price tag is incomparably less than the impact of logistics and trade format.

Titan-Polymer has received a positive assessment from the governmental authorities for its PET and PBT projects at Pskov.  The company reports that they are ready to move to the active phase of implementation in May 2026. The project has existed for several years as the second stage of the BOPET film production unit, which was launched back in 2022.  For a long time, there were doubts regarding the project.  The Titan Group of Companies, based at Omsk, managed to find project licensors in 2024, but until 2026 the project has remained in limbo.  The start of work can really be expected in the near future.

Russian PTA-PET-MEG imports Jan-Apr 2026

Russian PTA imports from China amounted to 87,251 tons in the first four months in 2026 versus 131,129 tons in the same period in 2025.  The PTA imports from China are shipped to Ekopet at Kaliningrad by a combination of rail direct and by sea and rail.  PTA import prices averaged $689.6 in 2026 which was up from $631.3 in 2024.  Values of PTA imports amounted to $60.172 million against $82.778 million in 2025.

Chinese shipments of PET to Russia amounted to 109,465 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 100,450 tons in the same period in 2025.  Costs of Chinese PET import shipments into Russia rose from $80.598 million to $93.692 million, which meant that average prices rose from $802.4 per ton to $855.9 per ton. 

Russia imported 20,987 tons of MEG from China in the first four months in 2026 against 32,740 tons in 2025.  Ethylene glycol production in Russia fell in 2025 to 229,843 tons against 317,118 tons in 2024.  Production is divided mainly between SIBUR-Neftekhim at Dzerzhinsk and Nizhnekamskneftekhim.  Polief buys MEG from both plants. 

Russian synthetic rubber production Jan-Apr 2026

Synthetic rubber production in Russia amounted to 484,596 tons in January to April 2026 against 526,141 tons in the corresponding period in 2025.   Production dropped from 135,104 tons in March to 93,063 tons in April which was partly due to the fire that took place at the end of March at Nizhnekamskneftekhim.  At the same time the production of all types of synthetic rubber at Togliattikaucuk (under the control of Tatneft) was almost completely stopped. In addition, in April, the production of butadiene rubbers was stopped at Nizhnekamskneftekhim.  The Siberian region decreased production from 37,498 tons in January to April 2026 to 30,440 tons in the same period in 2026.  

Synthetic rubber production by category Jan-Apr 2026

Isoprene rubber amounted to 94,753 tons in the first four months against 107,097 tons in the same period last year.  Butadiene rubber production amounted to 87,885 tons against 93,801 tons in January to April 2025.  The production of butadiene methylstyrene rubber rose to 87,376 tons against 80,910 tons whilst butyl rubber production reduced from 51,594 tons to 35,648 tons.    The highest value rubber sold by Russia is halogenated butyl rubber where production increased from 33,226 tons in 2025 to 35,214 tons.  

Drone attack on Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Togliattikaucuk

Both Nizhnekamskneftekhim and Togliattikaucuk were affected by drone attacks on 12 June, leading to serious fires.  Togliattikaucuk was struck by drones in March and April, and at bare minimum these drones attacks involve costs for eliminating fires. 

Impact of fire at Nizhnekamskneftekhim

Due to the fire at the end of March Nizhnekamskneftekhim has been forced to stop the production of the neodymium SKD (SKDN) line, accounting for around 180,000 tpa of capacity.  SIBUR should be able to replace NKNK's supplies with the volumes of the Voronezh site, including through the development of formulation solutions with the support of SIBUR Polylab.  The question of the timing and format of the restoration of the line remains open and will be resolved taking into account the market situation and economic feasibility. 

Russian Chinese rubber trade Jan-Apr 2026

Russian export revenues from synthetic rubber shipments to China totalled $393.570 million in January to April 2026 against $432.221 million in the same period in 2025.  By volume Russian shipments of synthetic rubber to China amounted to 294,328 tons in the first four months in 2026, which was up from 206,452 tons in 2025.  Butadiene rubber exports represented the largest category, rising from 27,666 tons in January to April 2025 to 35,230 tons.  However, there was a sharp reduction in butadiene rubber exports in April following the huge accident that took place at Nizhnekamskneftekhim at the end of March.  Butyl rubber and halogenated butyl rubber exports were also affected. 

Russian methanol production Jan-Apr 2026

Russia produced 1.375 million tons of methanol in the first four months in 2026 against 687,433 tons in the same period in 2025.  The Volga region, including Metafrax Chemicals, Tomet and Ammoni, reduced production from 679,676 tons to 474,734 tons in the first four months in 2025.   The reduction was due to predominantly on the attack on Metafrax on 17 February which disabled production. 

The Siberian Federal District (including Gazprom Methanol and Angarsk Petrochemical) increased production from 268,151 tons to 296,345 tons.   Gazprom Methanol at Tomsk was forced to reduce production in February and March due to poor quality catalysts impacting on the production process. 

The Central region, which includes Shchekinoazot, showed a sharp rise in production from 346,382 tons to 501,961 tons in the first four months in 2026.  Azot at Nevinnomyssk in the North Caucasus has also been affected by drone attacks, reducing production in the first four months from 31,534 tons in 2025 to 24,036 tons this year.   Azot provides essential raw materials such as used in the manufacture of explosives and a wide range of ammunition compositions.  Its role in sustaining Russia's frontline firepower makes it a high-value target within the broader campaign to degrade military logistics.  Azot also provides acetic acid to the Sverdlov explosive plant at Dzerzhinsk in the Nizhniy Novgorod region.

Russian methanol exports Jan-Apr 2026

Russian methanol exports amounted to 480,468 tons in January to April 2026 versus 556,126 tons in the same period in 2025.  Shchekinoazot increased exports from 166,679 tons to 280,787 tons, whilst Metafrax Chemicals reduced shipments from 147,681 tons to 46,730 tons.   Tomet at Togliatti reduced exports from 114,687 tons to 25,181 tons in January to April 2026.  Gazprom Methanol increased exports to 122,999 tons from 127,770 tons in 2026. 

Russian exports to China amounted to 320,743 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 277,779 tons in the same period in 2025. 

Average prices for methanol imports amounted to $239.8 per ton against $307.3 per ton in the same period in 2025.  Export volumes to Turkey fell from 132,669 tons in the first four months last year to 73,113 tons in 2026.  Shipments to Brazil dropped from 65,902 tons to 38,506 tons in the first four months in 2026.

Higher Russian methanol exports to China

Russian producers have started replaced methanol supplies from the Middle East to China, but this is only in theory.   Hypothetically, Russian producers have the opportunity to increase supplies by around 0.7 million tons, but drones have affected production this year in addition to the problem of logistics.  New port facilities have been opened near the sea of Azov, but these ports have limits to how much they can export.   The current port terminal at Nakhodka is being used to a maximum of its capacity, and sometimes producers use the Zabaikalsk railway terminal.

Russian exports to China rose by 1.5% in 2025 over 2024, which tends to indicate a plateau with current production and logistics capabilities.  A major development is expected from the Nakhodka Mineral Fertilizer Plant with a capacity of 1.8 million tpa of methanol should reach its design capacity in 2027.   Nakhodka methanol could become attractive to consumers from the Asia-Pacific region.  In particular the launch of this plant could result in a significant increase in exports to China.

Russian methanol domestic sales Jan-Apr 2026

Domestic merchant sales of methanol rose from 494,853 tons in January to April 2025 to 516,385 tons in January to April 2026.  Metafrax Chemicals reduced domestic merchant sales to 46,002 tons in January to April 2026 against 54,487 tons in January to April 2025, whilst Gazprom Methanol increased domestic merchant sales to 139,605 tons against 109,535 tons.   Shchekinoazot shipped 137,413 tons in January to April 2026 against 120,092 tons in 2025.  

Formaldehyde production rose in the first four months this year to 310,171 tons versus 279,166 tons in the same period in 2025 due exclusively to the almost doubling of production by Nizhnekamskneftekhim.  Production of formaldehyde at Nizhnekamsk is channelled into the production of isoprene monomer. 

For the rest of the formaldehyde market demand has been stagnating.  Production for urea formaldehyde concentrate declined from 76,876 tons to 66,424 tons in the first quarter this year, whilst the production of urea-formaldehyde resins fell from 273,476 tons to 223,042 tons and phenol-formaldehyde resins from 95,476 tons to 91,042 tons.   

Around 44% of methanol consumed was processed into formaldehyde-containing products in 2025, including resins and isoprene.  This compares against 54% in 2020.  All products including formaldehyde concentrate, and resins saw reduced production in the first four months in 2026.  

New measures against Russian distribution of methanol

Russian government approved a law introducing administrative liability for circulation of methanol and methanol-containing liquids, as well as toughening the punishment for the sale of goods prohibited for free sale.  The document supplements the Code of Administrative Offenses with a new norm and immediately comes into force from the date of official publication. The new article of the Code of Administrative Offenses establishes liability for the circulation of methanol without inclusion in a special register of organisations and individual entrepreneurs, if there are no signs of a criminal offense in the actions.  For officials, a fine of 500,000 to 1 million roubles or disqualification for a period of two to three years is possible, for legal entities -a fine of up to one fifth of the total revenue, but not less than 3 million roubles.

Russian butanol production Jan-Apr 2026

Russian normal butanol production amounted to 26,435 tons in January to April 2026 versus 26,993 tons in the same period in 2025.  The Volga region, which includes SIBUR-Khimprom, reduced production from 26,993 tons to 26,435 tons. 

Russian solvent production Jan-Apr 2026

Russian acetic acid production amounted to 59,205 tons in January to April 2026 against 67,262 tons in the same period in 2025.  The largest and most important producer in Russia, Azot at Nevinnomyssk, reduced production 45,206 tons in January to April 2026 against 49,217 tons in the same period in 2025.

Isopropanol production in Russia amounted to 26,829 tons in January to April 2026 against 20,791 tons in the same period in 2025.  Omsk Kaucuk increased production from 7,976 tons to 12,069 tons whilst the Plant at Synthetic Alcohol at Orsk increased production from 12,815 tons to 14,759 tons.   Omsk Kaucuk only started isopropanol production in 2020 and only achieved high utilisation rates in 2023. 

Russian polyacrylate production Jan-Apr 2026

In other product areas, Russian polyacrylate production totalled 44,364 tons in the first four months 2026, down from 47,563 tons in 2025.  The largest region in Russia for the production of polyacrylates is the Central Federal District where SIBUR-Neftekhim produces at Dzerzhinsk.  Currently SIBUR is the only producer of these light esters in Russia, as well as the heavy ester of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. 

TDI imports into Russia Jan-Apr 2026

TDI imports into Russia from South Korea amounted to 12,441 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 4,200 tons in the same period in 2025, with costs rising from $7.866 million to $24.355 million.  Prices rose slightly from $2140.0 per ton in January to April 2025 to $2141.2 per ton in 2026. 

Chinese shipments of TDI to Russia dropped from 5,535 tons in the first four months last year to 4,974 tons in the same period this year.  Average prices dropped from $2016.3 per ton to $2139.9 per ton.

MDI imports into Russia Jan-Apr 2026

MDI imports from South Korea to Russia amounted to 11,095 tons in the first four months in 2026 against 1,953 tons in the same period in 2025.  Prices dropped from $2229.2 per ton to $1732.3 per ton.  Russia imported 19,158 tons from South Korea in 2025. 

MDI imports from China into Russia dropped in the first four months in 2026 to 17,816 tons versus 27,716 tons in the same period in 2025.  Average prices rose from $2006.7 per ton to $2128.2 in 2026. 

Polyol exports from China to Russia rose in the first four months in 2026 to 41,553 tons against 32,677 tons in the same period in 2025 and by value to $57.084 million versus $44.774 million.   Total consumption of polyols in Russia ranges from 210-220,000 tpa at present.

More than 65% of all polyurethanes in Russia are consumed by three industries: mechanical engineering (23%), furniture manufacturing (24%) and the construction industry (19%).   Russia consumes a lot of polyurethane foam, but the production of the raw material base is still a weak link.  

Elastokam integrated into Nizhnekamskneftekhim

SIBUR has decided to integrate Tatar polymer producer Elastokam into the full structure of Nizhnekamskneftekhim.  Due to the failure to achieve the planned business result in 2025, the founder decided to change the management system and organisational structure of Elastokam by integrating the business into the perimeter of Nizhnekamskneftekhim. 

Elastokam was registered in 2015 in equal shares by Nizhnekamskneftekhim and BASF Polyurethanes in order to produce polyurethane foam systems for a wide range of applications.  The Elastokam plant, together with Nizhnekamskneftekhim, became part of SIBUR Holding after a deal with TAIF.  Between 2020-2024 the company recorded a profit but encountered a 29% drop in revenue in 2025 to 5.7 billion roubles and a loss of 275 million roubles.  The Elastokam plant is engaged in the manufacture of polyurethane systems, multicomponent polymer materials for various sectors of Russian industry. 

After the departure of BASF from the Russian market, Elastokam lost the supply of components, production was under the threat of stopping. With SIBUR's support, the plant found new sources of raw materials in two months, rebuilt logistics, developed its own formulations for PU systems, and restarted production. 

Exports of polypropylene from Kazakhstan in the first four months in 2026 amounted to 87,927 tons of which 42,251 tons went to Russia.  Due to production issues related to feedstock problems only 13,133 tons were sent to China in the first four months this year against 28,340 tons in the period January to April 2025.  Kazakhstan exported a total of 125,744 tons in the first four months last year. 

Kazakh polyethylene imports Jan-Apr 2026

Polyethylene imports into Kazakhstan totalled 74,125 tons in the first four months in 2026, including 49,125 tons of HDPE.  Russia is the main supplier of polyethylene to the Kazakh market.    

Kazakh switch from raw materials to petrochemicals

Kazakhstan is making a strategic turn from a raw material model to processing whereby the production of petrochemical products is planned to

double by 2030. This is one of the key elements of the country's new industrial policy aimed at creating products with high added value.  The volume of petrochemical production increased from 358,000 tons in 2023 to 619,000 tons in 2025.  In addition to the Silleno polyethylene project with a capacity of 1.250 million tpa, Kazakhstan is constructing projects for 880,000 tpa of urea and 340,000 tpa of butadiene.

Central Asian polymer imports from China Jan-Apr 2026

China exported 136,909 tons of PVC to Central Asia in the first four months in 2026, including 82,196 tons to Uzbekistan and 44,555 tons to Kazakhstan.  Currently the only PVC producer in Central Asia is Navoiazot in Uzbekistan. The production of suspension PVC with a capacity of 100,000 tpa was launched at the end of 2019 as part of the caustic soda and methanol production complex.

PET shipments from China to Kazakhstan dropped from 39,968 tons in 2025 to 29,147 tons in the first four months in 2026 whilst shipments to Uzbekistan decreased from 64,110 tons to 33,991 tons.

Kazakh urea project

A new gas chemical complex focused on the production of urea is planned for the Aktobe region in Kazakhstan. The project, which is being implemented by KMG PetroChem, is designed to cover the needs of the domestic market for nitrogen fertilisers in addition to strengthening the country's export potential. The proposed production capacity is expected to comprise 580,000 tpa of urea, 660,000 tpa of ammonia and 500,000 tpa of ammonium nitrate.

According to current data, the total investment in the enterprise, which is scheduled to be launched in 2030, will amount to 804.2 billion tenge (about $1.7 billion).  Chinese company Wuhan Engineering has been chosen as the contractor for the project. 

SOCAR methanol and ethylene Jan-Apr 2026

Azerbaijan produced 39,600 tons of methanol in January-April 2026, which was 72.4% less than in the same period in 2025.  Azerbaijan exported 34,228 tons of methanol versus 121,700 tons in the same four months last year.

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