Russia Jan-Nov PVC imports down by 62% year on year, exports up 44%

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) into Russia totalled 46,900 tonnes in the first 11 months of 2017, down by 62% from 123,900 tonnes in the same period last year, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

At the same time, Russian producers managed to increase their exports by 44%.l

November PVC imports into the country grew to 4,000 tonnes, compared with 581 tonnes in October.

A sharp drop in export prices for acetylene PVC (PVC A) in China was the main reason for the increase in imports last month.

The peak of imports was in May, with 11,800 tonnes.

A reduction in domestic demand and high level of capacity utilisation of local producers led to a serious reduction in the dependence on imports of PVC, while the increased supply of tar in the domestic market forced producers to export more actively.

Chinese producers traditionally were the key foreign PVC suppliers over the past several years. The volume of imports of acetylene Chinese PVC A significantly increased in November to 3,300 tonnes against 77 tonnes a month earlier due to a drop in export prices.

Large volumes of acetylene PVC are expected to arrive in December. Thus, imports of Chinese resin were 42,800 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2017, compared to 95,700 tonnes a year earlier.

European producers shipped small quantities of suspension, with overall imports of European PVC falling to 3,500 tonnes over the stated period from 6,400 tonnes a year earlier.

Weaker demand for PVC from the domestic market forced Russian producers to export material more actively, especially in winter.

9,100 tonnes were shipped to foreign markets last month (excluding deliveries to the countries of the Customs Union) versus 1,200 tonnes in October.

Some producers have begun to increase exports to countries in Asia, in particular India, since November.

PVC exports in December are also expected to be significant. 77,900 tonnes of SPVC were shipped in the first eleven months of 2017, compared to 54,000 tonnes a year earlier.

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