Braskem polymer production falls 5% from Q3-12

11-Nov-13

Brazilian petrochemicals giant Braskem produced about 1.3 mln mt of polyethylene, polypropylene and PVC in Q3-13, down 5% from Q3-12, as per Platts. The main reason for this fall was the unscheduled disruption in electricity suppliers that hit northeastern Brazil in late August, impacting its Camacari petrochemical complex in Bahia state and its PVC plant in Alagoas state. This resulted in a 12% drop in resin production in the quarter compared to the previous one. PVC production for both years includes caustic soda and chlorine. Polyolefins production, which includes polyethylene and polypropylene, totaled 1,068,769 mt in Q3-12, down from 1,107,133 mt in Q3-13. Q3-13 PVC production totaled 129.546 mt, down 8% from 140.595 mt in Q3-12. Braskem ran its crackers at an average operating rate of 92% in Q3-13, up from 92% in Q3-12, but down from 94% capacity in Q2.