Sibur likely to decide on IPO, strategic partner by next summer

27-Jun-12

Russia's biggest petrochemical holding, Sibur, is likely to decide on a possible initial public offering (IPO) and/or attracting a strategic partner by next summer, as per Platts. Current market situation is not favorable for an IPO. By next summer, clearer figures should emerge on Sibur's investment program for the next five years and a 500,000 tpa polypropylene project will be launched. By that time, it will be more viable to consider new partners or an IPO. Sibur is likely to see a higher market value after the new polypropylene plant in Tobolsk, West Siberia, is launched, boosting the company's EBITDA. Also, by end of June 2013, the company expects to develop a front-end engineering design study for a project to produce 1.5 mln mt/year of ethylene, which would allow it finalize its investment program for the next five years.