HDPE imports into Russia down 20% in January-September

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) into Russia decreased to about 113,000 tonnes in the first nine months of 2016, down 20% year on year, according to survey DataScope of MRC analysts.

Reduction of imports was seen in all segments of consumption except in film and blown polyethylene.

September imports of HDPE into Russia reduced to 16,700 tonnes, compared with 17,100 tonnes a month earlier, the main decline in purchases accounted for extrusion blowmoulding polyethylene (PE).

Total HDPE imports into Russia decreased to 113,000 tonnes in the first nine months of the year, compared with 140,800 tonnes in the same time a year earlier.

The greatest reduction in external supplies recorded in the segment of pipe extrusion, and extrusion coating of steel pipes of large diameter, while import of film HDPE, on the contrary, has grown.

September imports of injection moulding PE fell to 3,300 tonnes from 3,600 tonnes a month earlier, the main decrease in imports accounted for local producers of polyethylene (PET) containers.

Total imports of injection moulding HDPE in to the country were about 27,700 tonnes in the first nine months of the year, compared with 35,600 tonnes a year on year.

September imports of HDPE for extrusion blowmoulding fell to 2,300 tonnes against 4,500 tonnes in August on a decreased shipments from Europe and Uzbekistan.

Total HDPE for extrusion blowmoulding imports into the country increased to 23,400 tonnes in January-September 2016, compared to 19,400 tonnes year on year.

September imports of film HDPE rose to 3,900 tonnes from 2,900 tonnes in the previous month.

Total imports of film HDPE into the country increased to 19,300 tonnes in January-September 2016, compared to 10,800 tonnes a year earlier.

September imports of pipe HDPE grew to 3,000 tonnes against 2,000 tonnes in August, Russian pipe producers increased purchases of polyethylene in Asia.

Russia’s pipe HDPE imports in the first nine months of the year decreased to 17,400 tonnes, down one third year on year.

The main reasons for the fall in import volumes were increased domestic production and reduced  demand for pipes.

September imports of HDPE for extrusion coating of steel pipes of large diameter increased to 2,900 tonnes, whereas the previous month this figure has not exceeded 2,700 tonnes.

Imports of this type of polyethylene fell by 59% to 16,400 tonnes in the first nine months of this year, partly because of the growth of local production.

Russia’s imports of HDPE in other consumption sectors decreased to 8,700 tonnes in the first nine months of the year compared with 9,100 tonnes year on year.

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