First-half imports of PS, styrene plastics into Ukraine up 11% year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Polystyrene (PS) and styrene plastics imports into Ukraine increased to 29,900 tonnes in January-June 2016, up 11% year on year, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

Imports of expandable polystyrene (EPS), general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) all grew over the reported period, while imports of high-impact grades was stable.

The share of imported expandable polystyrene (EPS) accounted for more than 48% from the total consumption of the material in Ukraine.

Total imports of EPS into the country reached 14,500 tonnes in Jan-June 2016, compared with about 13,000 tonnes year on year.

The key supplier of EPS to Ukraine was Russia, with producer SIBUR shipping 8,000 tonnes of EPS, up 45% year on year.

At the same time, imports of Chinese EPS increased to 5,350 tonnes over the reported period, up 22.6% year on year.

Imports of Polish EPS fell significantly to 200 tonnes in Jan-June, compared with 1,300 tonnes year on year.

Ukraine’s general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) imports grew to 6,110 tonnes over the reported period, up 12% year on year.

At the same time, the share of Russian suppliers in the market has decreased on the back of the stronger purchasing in Iran, Poland and China.

Import volumes of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) into the country remained steady.

Ukraine’s imports of HIPS totalled 4,400 tonnes in the first six months of the year, compared to 4,430 tonnes a year earlier.

Imports of Russian HIPS decreased to 2,900 tonnes over the reported period from 3,700 tonnes in the same period a year earlier.

The displacement of Russian grades was a result of increased purchases of Iranian, Chinese and Polish polystyrene.

Imports of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) into Ukraine grew to 1,900 tonnes in the first six months of the year, up 16% year on year.

The growth in imports was provided by South Korean producers, traditional leaders in this segment.

MRC, a partner of ICIS, produces polymers news and pricing reports from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.