PP imports to Ukraine up by 3% in Jan-Feb

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) into the Ukrainian market rose in the fist two months of 2018 by 3% year on year, totalling about 18,700 tonnes, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

February PP imports to Ukraine fell to 8,900 tonnes from 9,900 tonnes a month earlier, with propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) accounting for a decrease in shipments. Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 18,700 tonnes in January-February 2018, compared to 18,100 tonnes a year earlier. Demand grew only for propylene copolymers, with PP random copolymer accounting for the greatest increase.

February imports of homopolymer PP to the Ukrainian market dropped to 6,500 tonnes from 7,500 tonnes a month earlier. Homopolymer PP raffia grade from Saudi Arabia accounted for the main decrease. Overall shipments of homopolymer PP reached 14,000 tonnes in the first two months of 2018, down by 2% year on year.

February imports of block copolymers of propylene (PP block copolymers) were less than 1,000 tonnes, down by 10% month on month. Demand for pipe grade propylene copolymers subsided from local companies. About 2,000 tonnes of PP block copolymers were imported over the stated period, whereas this figure was slightly over 1,900 tonnes a year earlier.

February imports of PP random copolymers exceeded 3,300 tonnes versus 1,100 tonnes a month earlier, demand for PP increased from pipes producers. Overall imports of PP random copolymer reached 2,400 tonnes in January-February 2018, whereas this figure was 1,600 tonnes a year earlier.

Overall imports of other propylene copolymers were about 400 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 376 tonnes a year earlier.

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