Belarus PE imports fall 2.9% in January-October

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into Belarus decreased in the first nine months of 2017 by 2.9% year on year, reaching 93,000 tonnes, according to a MRC’s DataScope report.

Local companies increased their purchasing of all PE grades, except for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of Belarus, September 2017 PE imports to Belarus grew to 11,000 tonnes from 9,600 tonnes a month earlier.

Local companies increased significantly their purchasing of Russian high density polyethylene (HDPE).

Overall PE imports reached 93,000 tonnes in January-September, compared to 95,800 tonnes a year earlier.

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) accounted for the greatest increase in shipments, whereas LLDPE imports decreased.

September LDPE imports fell to 2,800 tonnes from 3,600 tonnes a month earlier.

Local companies reduced their PE purchasing in Russia. Overall imports of this PE grade into Belarus totalled 28,600 tonnes in January-September 2017, compared to 21,200 tonnes a year earlier.

September LLDPE imports were 2,200 tonnes versus 1,600 tonnes a month earlier, local companies significantly raised their purchasing of Middle Eastern film grade PE.

Overall LLDPE imports to Belarus exceeded 28,000 tonnes in January-September 2017, whereas this figure was 40,800 tonnes a year earlier.

September HDPE imports rose to 6,000 tonnes from 4,300 tonnes a month earlier.

Local companies almost doubled their purchasing of PE from Russian producers, shipments from Ukraine also increased.

HDPE imports totalled 36,400 tonnes in January-September 2017, up by 7.8% year on year.

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