Sibur plans to export surplus output from a new 570,000 tonne-a-year polypropylene line at its ZapSibNeftekhim complex in Tobolsk, due to start up in 2027, once domestic demand is met. CEO Mikhail Karisalov said the plant's efficiency would make it competitive against overseas producers as the group expands supply to Southeast Asia and both coasts of Africa.
Why this mattersA new low-cost, high-volume Russian polypropylene source aimed at Africa and Asia could pressure resin pricing for packaging converters outside sanctioning markets.
- The new ZapSibNeftekhim polypropylene line in Tobolsk has capacity of 570,000 tonnes a year.
- The facility is due to start up in 2027.
- Sibur CEO Mikhail Karisalov says volumes beyond domestic demand will be sold on the global market.
- Sibur is expanding supply channels to Southeast Asia and both coasts of Africa.
- Karisalov cites polypropylene as one of the fastest-growing plastics globally, used from construction to food packaging.
Russian petrochemical group SIBUR has started industrial production of HAGL, a monomaterial polypropylene film for sealing ready-meal trays, developed at its Biaxplen site in Nizhny Novgorod region. The film has been tested at food packaging maker Georg Polymer, which plans a first industrial batch of trays using the material. The launch follows Russian rules requiring packaging producers to fund or carry out recycling, with a target of 100% packaging recycling by 2027.
Why this mattersA mono-PP tray-and-film system that skips sorting could displace PET/PE laminates in Russia's fast-growing ready-meal segment as extended producer responsibility rules tighten.
- HAGL film is made from PP H031 polypropylene at SIBUR's Biaxplen site in Nizhny Novgorod region.
- The film and tray form a monomaterial system that SIBUR says can be recycled without sorting.
- Georg Polymer has tested the film and plans a first industrial batch of trays using it.
- Up to 70% of prepared food in Russia is sold in hermetically sealed polymer trays, according to the source.
- Russia's 2024 waste law amendments require packaging producers to fund or carry out recycling, with a 100% packaging recycling target by 2027.
- Ready-made food packaging accounts for about 30% of Georg Polymer's sales, according to its flexible packaging materials head.
