Kazakhstan PE imports fall 15% January – August

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Kazakhstan dropped to about 63,200 tonnes in January-August 2016, down 15% compared with the same time a year earlier, according to MRC analysts.

The main decrease in demand occurred for high density polyethylene (HDPE). August PE imports into Kazakhstan increased to 9,700 tonnes, compared with 4,700 tonnes in July. Local companies increased the volume of purchases of HDPE, in particular producers of pipes.

Total PE imports into the country were about 63,200 tonnes in January – August 2016, compared with 74,300 tonnes in the same time a year earlier. Demand for HDPE and low density polyethylene (LDPE) decreased over the reported period, while the need for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), on the contrary, increased.

August HDPE imports into Kazakhstan rose to 8,200 tonnes from 2,700 tonnes a month earlier. The main increase in supply accounted for local producers of pipes, which significantly increased their purchases on the back of future shutdowns of Russian producers.

PE imports from Uzbekistan also increased in August.  Kazakhstan’s HDPE imports totalled 48,000 tonnes in the first eight months of the year, down 18% year on year.

August imports of LDPE into the country reduced to 900 tonnes against 1,600 tonnes in July because of reduced export quotes from Russian producers, which are the main suppliers of LDPE in the region.

Total imports of LDPE into Kazakhstan were about 11,800 tonnes in the first eight months of the year, down 8% year on year.

Purchases of LLDPE by local companies in August increased to 555 tonnes compared to 400 tonnes a month earlier. Total LLDPE imports reached 3,300 tonnes in January-August versus 2,700 tonnes a year earlier.

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