Plastic industry in Serbia

Sector of basic polymers

Plants erected by the end of 1970s and beginning of 1980s, present the base of plastic industry of Serbia. There are enough capacities of high-tonnage plastics for covering of domestic plastic converters necessities, and important residue for export.
On the basis of 200.000 t of ethylene, 85.000 t of propylene and 45.000 t of C4-fraction, this sector has capacities for the production of:

- high density polyethylene (HDPE): 60.000 t
- low density polyethylene (LDPE): 45.000 t
- polypropylene (PP) 30.000 t

Till 1992 petrochemical complex used to realise production above nominal capacity. From 1992 to 2000 petrochemical production was interrupted. Highly educated staff of this industry, with maximum efforts, have succeeded to maintain high quality of petrochemical products, as well as to introduce new types and enhance quality of existing types.
Import of plastics into Serbia is free, with custom duties of 3-5%, for those which are produced in Serbia, and 1% for others, which are not produced in the country. Domestic petrochemical industry covers domestic market necessities with 40-60%, either because of the lack of some types (crosslincable polyethylene, copolymer of propylene, HDPE for wowen sacks, etc) or strong competition of foreign companies.
Production of liquid resins is taking place in Serbia in several factories. There are produced phenolic, carbamide, melamine, epoxy, saturated and nonsaturated polyester resins. The most of them are used in the industry of inks and lacquers, for the production of glues, while in the plastic industry are used only unsaturated polyester resins and, in small quantities, epoxy resins.
Capacities for liquid resins are not proportionally larger than necessities, so that export possibilities are important.



Several of producers have also important capacities for compounding. They make soft and rigid PVC granulate for the utilization in plastic converting industry, wire and cable, shoes and other industries.

Beside polypropylene production, the same company makes a wide spectrum of PP compounds for different applications, what contributes to the substitution of some polymers which are not produced in Serbia.
 

Plastic processing sector

Till 1992, the production of semi-finished and finished products was only the matter of social companies, while private processors, as small workshops, have existed more than 20 years, but with a very little participation in total production.
Since 1994 private sector has experienced real expansion, noting more and more participation in total production of plastic products. Many workshops grew into real industrial producers. Intensive investment activity of private processors mainly resulted in doubling of capacities with already existing social companies. However, there were developed many other new products, and for some of them were erected new plants with the most contemporary equipment (PVC doors and windows, PET preforms and closures PP pipes for home water and heating installations, polyamide pipes for pneumatics and hydraulics, profiles for further mechanical treatment, etc.).

Production of polyethylene tubular film is present at many producers who produce agricultural foil, constructing industry foils, thermo shrinkable foil, stretch film, laminating film, as well as amballage on the basis of PE foil.

For packaging and other applications bioriented PP and PET film, cast PP film, co extruded PE/PA film, extruded and co extruded blown films as wrappers for sausage products, on the basis of polyamide and polyethylene, as well as PVC film and foil, are produced by extrusion and tubular extrusion.

With reference to the other semi finished and finished products, there is the production of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) sheets, using the block polymerization techniques, light artificial leather on the basis of PVC and cellulose polymers, as well as boards for further mechanical treatment, made of PE, PP, PA and PVC.

Constructing industry products present a very important field, which takes part with more than 40% in total production of products. There are produced PE, PVC and PP pipes for drink water and sewage, drainage, watering, gas and fluids transport. Spiral PE and PP pipes, with diameter up to 3000 mm, Bauku procedure, as well as reinforced polyester pipes, Veroc procedure, are also included. Production of PVC, PP electro insulation pipes, PP-3 pipes for home water and thermo installations, PA and PE pipes for hydraulics and pneumatics, supplement this wide assortment of plastic pipes, whose production capacities overcome domestic market necessities, so that important quantities are exported.

Production of PVC floor coverings and insulation foamed materials of polyurethane and polystyrol, satisfies domestic market. More than half of floor coverings are exported.

PVC profiles for constructing industry have been produced for more than 25 years. However, by the introduction of new production of PVC profiles and finished doors and windows, this production was suddenly increased, what still, hasn't exhausted all market possibilities, and promises further growth.

Packagings, with the participation of 30-35% in the total production of plastic products, presents second in volume, field of plastic processing. According to the number of companies, dealing with this production, and the number of employees engaged in that, this field is, no doubt, the most important. Beside amballage produced by injection moulding, blow moulding, thermoforming and bag making, there are knitted and women sacks, rotomoulded, expanded polystyrene containers, containers and cisterns of reinforced polyester, etc.

The biggest expansion in this field was made in the production of PET preforms and bottles for carbonated and noncarbonated drinks, edible oil and refreshing beverages. During several years production of 35.000t was achieved.

Technical components for electrics-electronics, automotive, mechanical industry and appliances are mainly produced by use of all engineering polymers and all standard technical procedures.

Polymers consumption in Serbia (t)