Russian oil refineries (refineries) have begun to more actively use toluene in production — a compound that allows increasing the yield of high-octane fuel. According to a review by the Center for Price Indices (CPI), production capacities will be loaded to the maximum in October.
Experts in the industry believe that the supply of aromatic hydrocarbons for gasoline production has decreased in the domestic market as a result of a reorientation to other raw materials.
According to CPI forecasts, styrene production — a key raw material for the production of polystyrene, plastics and other products — will decrease by 15–20% in October.
At the same time, the reorientation to the production of toluene gasoline is safe for the market due to a stable surplus. However, there is not enough reserve in the benzene market, and demand for it is supported by caprolactam producers for capron.
Earlier www1.ru reported that the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia is monitoring the situation with rising gasoline prices and plans to conduct inspections in several regions, including the Kursk region, Crimea and the Krasnodar Territory.