Imports of PE into Ukraine increase 33% in Jan-June 2016

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Ukraine increased to 128,000 tonnes in the first six months of 2016, up 33% compared to the same period of 2015, according to MRC DataScope.

The greatest increase in demand accounted for high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).

June PE imports into the country increased significantly to 21,300 tonnes, compared with 19,200 tonnes in May because of stronger supply of HDPE and low density polyethylene (LDPE).

Total PE imports into Ukraine grew to 128,000 tonnes in January-June 2016 from 96,100 tonnes in the same period last year..

The structure of PE imports over the reported period was as follows.          

June imports of HDPE into the country increased to 10,500 tonnes, compared with 8,700 tonnes in May. Local companies increased the volume of purchases of film HDPE, with the main increase accounted for the supply of polyethylene from Russia and Uzbekistan.

In general, HDPE imports into the country exceeded 62,500 tonnes in January-June of this year, compared with 41,600 tonnes in the same period a year earlier.

June imports of low density polyethylene (LDPE) into Ukraine increased to 5,100 tonnes, compared with 3,600 tonnes in May despite the limited export quotas from Russian and Belarusian producers.

Ukrainian companies compensated for this shortage by purchasing from Iranian manufacturers. Total LDPE imports into Ukraine were 31,500 tonnes in the first six months, up by 3% year on year.

June imports of LLDPE into the Ukrainian market were about 4,300 tonnes, while a month earlier this figure was 5,500 tonnes. Local producers of stretch films decreased their procurement volumes.

In general, January – June LLDPE imports into Ukraine increased to 28,100 tonnes compared with 19,800 tonnes year on year.

Imports of other types of polyethylene, including EVA for the period under review amounted to slightly more than 5,800 tonnes against 4,100 tonnes a year earlier.

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