Russia’s Lukoil is close to reviving polypropylene production at its Stavrolen chemicals site in Budyennovsk, following a major fire at the end of 2011, as per European Plastics News. The mid-December blaze in the ethylene plant caused damage over €20 mln and also halted all production of polyethylene and PP at the site. Lukoil has managed to secure a supply of propylene to the site from its Karpatneftekhim petrochemicals plant in the Ukraine and from other Russian producers. Upon arrival of the feedstock, start-up operations at the Stavrolen PP plant will begin since it is already set for commissioning. The plant has been undergoing extensive repair and renewal work. This has included repair of damaged pipe racks, dismantling internal columns, renewal of damaged heat insulation and pressure vessel testing. New pipe is due for delivery shortly and contractors will then weld and assemble the pipelines on the renewed racks. Ethylene production is likely to restart by the beginning of April, but that timeframe may still have to be extended because of delays.
20-Mar-12 
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