Polyolefins

APIC '12: Malaysia's LDPE demand to hit 133,000 tonnes in 2012

ICIS News : 17-May-12 13:46

KUALA LUMPUR (ICIS)--Malaysia's domestic demand of low density polyethylene (LDPE) is expected to grow to 133,000 tonnes in 2012, from 130,000 tonnes in 2011, on the back of higher consumption from the packaging sector, the Malaysian Petrochemicals Association (MPA) said on Thursday.

The country, a net exporter of polyolefin products, is expected to export 360,000 tonnes of LDPE in 2012, down marginally from 361,000 tonnes last year, the MPA said in a report distributed during the Asia Petrochemical Industry Conference (APIC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Malaysia  is expected to increase its production of LDPE to 475,000 tonnes this year, from 474,000 tonnes in 2011, it said.

Meanwhile, the country's domestic demand of high density polyethylene (HDPE) is expected to grow to 463,000 tonnes in 2012, up from 450,000 tonnes in 2011, tracking Malaysia's forecast GDP growth rate of 4.0-5.0%, the MPA said.

Malaysia is expected to produce 490,000 tonnes of HDPE in 2012, up from 481,000 tonnes last year it said, and it is projected to export 217,000 tonnes of HDPE in 2012, down from 224,000 tonnes last year, it added.

The APIC runs from 17-18 May.

By Nurluqman Suratman
ICISnews.Asia@icis.com