PVC imports to Ukraine down by 3% in January-July

MOSCOW (MRC)–Supply of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) into Ukraine decreased by 3% in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2016, reaching about 60,700 tonnes, according to MRC DataScope.

July SPVC imports into Ukraine seasonally increased to 12,700 tonnes, compared with 8,600 tonnes in June 2017. Local producers of window profile and plastic products have seriously increased the volume of purchases in the US.

Overall SPVC imports were about 60,700 tonnes in January-July 2017, compared to 62,800 tonnes a year earlier. Demand for suspension subsided from local producers of profile-moulded products, whereas demand for resin increased from producers of plasticised PVC.

Last month’s SPVC imports from the US grew to 7,700 tonnes from 4,300 tonnes in June, with  local companies switched to the purchasing of North American resin despite the expectations of Karpatneftekhim’s launch. Imports of North American resin totalled 25,100 tonnes in January-July 2017 versus 38,800 tonnes a year earlier.

July shipments of European PVC to the Ukrainian market remained steady with June at 2,800 tonnes. Overall imports of European PVC rose to 23,700 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 20,000 tonnes a year earlier.

Last month’s imports of Russian SPVC grew to 1,700 tonnes from 1,300 tonnes in June. Russia’s imports of resin into Ukraine grew to 10,700 tonnes in Jan-July 2017, compared with 3,800 tonnes year on year.

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