Russia’s PP imports flat January-October

MOSCOW (MRC)–Russia’s imports of polypropylene (PP) in January-October remained practically at the level of the same period in 2016 at 144,400 tonnes, according to a MRC DataScope report.

October imports of PP into Russia increased to 20,700 tonnes against 15,100 in September, the increase accounted only for homopolymer PP raffia grade and PP block copolymers.

In general, imports of PP into Russia totalled 144,400 tonnes in January-October 2017, compared with 144,200 tonnes year on year.

The reduction in external supplies was seen only for homopolymer PP and PP random copolymers, while imports of PP block copolymers and other propylene copolymers, on the contrary, increased.

October imports of homopolymer PP increased to 7,500 tonnes against 3,600 tonnes a month earlier, with shipments of homopolymer PP raffia from Central Asia increasing significantly.

Overall imports of this PP grade reached 48,200 tonnes in the first ten months of 2017, compared to 64,500 a year earlier.

October imports of PP block copolymers in Russia increased to about 5,200 tonnes against 3,700 tonnes in September.

Local companies increased purchasing of PP block copolymers for  non-pressure pipes extrusion in Europe.

Imports of PP block copolymers into Russia reached 37,800 tonnes in January-October 2017, compared to 26,800 tonnes a year earlier.

Imports of PP random copolymer in October rose to 3,800 tonnes against 3,700 tonnes a month earlier, amid good demand and tight supply from Russian producers local producers increased purchasing of PP for pressure pipes and blow moulding production.

Total imports of PP random copolymers in Russia were 26,800 tonnes in January-October 2017, compared with 28,600 tonnes year on year.

Imports of other propylene polymers for the reported period increased to about 31,600 tonnes compared with 24,200 tonnes in the same time a year earlier.

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