Ukraine PE imports increase 25% in Jan-Sept year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Ukraine increased to 194,200 tonnes in the first nine months of 2016, up 25% year on year with the greatest rise for high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), according to MRC DataScope.

September PE imports into the country decreased seasonally to 20,700 tonnes, compared with 24,200 tonnes in August on weaker purchases of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and LLDPE.

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

September imports of HDPE into the country increased to 9,900 tonnes, compared with 9,300 tonnes in August on increased purchases from local producers of pipes.

In general, HDPE imports into the country reached 91,000 tonnes in January-September of this year, compared with 68,100 tonnes in the same period a year earlier.

September imports of LDPE into Ukraine decreased to 5,000 tonnes against 7,200 tonnes in August. The decline in imports was partially a result of seasonal factors and partly due to limited export quotas from producers from Azerbaijan and Belarus.

Total LDPE imports into Ukraine exceeded 50,000 tonnes in the first nine months of the year, up by 7% year on year.

September imports of LLDPE into the Ukrainian market were about 4,700 tonnes, while a month earlier this figure was 5,700 tonnes.

Local producers of stretch films decreased their procurement volumes. In general, January-September LLDPE imports into Ukraine increased to 42,900 tonnes compared with 33,200 tonnes year on year.

Imports of other grades of polyethylene, including EVA for the period under review. slightly exceeded 10,300 tonnes against 7,300 tonnes a year earlier.

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