PE imports into Ukraine up 26% year on year through Aug

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Ukraine increased to 173,500 tonnes in the first eight months of 2016, up 26% year on year, statistics showed on Friday.

High density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) accounted for the greatest increase in demand, according to MRC DataScope.

August PE imports increased to 24,200 tonnes, compared with 21,400 tonnes in July, because of stronger supply of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and LLDPE.

Total PE imports grew to 173,500 tonnes in January-August 2016, compared with 138,200 tonnes for the same period in 2015.

August imports of HDPE were 9,300 tonnes, about the same as the July level. Imports of pipe HDPE decreased in August, while demand for blow moulding HDPE improved.

Overall, HDPE imports exceeded 81,100 tonnes in January-August this year, compared with 60,100 tonnes in the same time period of 2015.

August LDPE imports into Ukraine increased to 7,200 tonnes compared with 6,300 tonnes in July. After several months of limitations, Russian producers began to gradually increase deliveries to the Ukrainian market.

Total LDPE imports exceeded 45,000 tonnes in the first eight months of the year, up 5% year on year.

August imports of LLDPE were about 5,700 tonnes, compared with 4,400 tonnes in July. Local producers of stretch films increased their procurement volumes.

In general, January-August LLDPE imports into Ukraine increased to 38,200 tonnes compared with 28,900 tonnes for the same period in 2015.

Imports of other grades of polyethylene, including ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), for the period slightly exceeded 9,000 tonnes compared with 6,500 tonnes a year earlier.

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