Ukraine Jan-Feb PE imports up by 2% year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Ukraine increased to 41,900 tonnes in the first two months of 2019, up by 2% year on year, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

February PE imports to Ukraine fell to 20,800 tonnes from 21,100 tonnes in January, with high density PE(HDPE) accounting for the decrease in imports.

January-February imports of linear low-density PE (LLDPE) and EVA increased, while demand for other ethylene polymers decreased.

The supply structure by PE grades looked the following way over the stated period:

February imports of HDPE decreased to 6,500 tonnes against 7,100 tonnes in January, with the reduction in supplies from injection moulding and blow moulding polyethylene, while imports of film HDPE increased.

Overall HDPE production reached 13,600 tonnes in the first two months of 2019, compared to 14,400 tonnes a year earlier. The main reduction in imports was from moulding and pipe HDPE, while external purchases of film and blow moulding PE increased.

February imports of low density PE (LDPE) rose to 6,700 tonnes from 6,100 tonnes a month earlier, with local companies increasing their LDPE purchases in Russia.

Overall LDPE imports reached 12,800 tonnes over the stated period, down by 1% year on year.

February imports of LLDPE into the country were around 6,600 tonnes, which was close to the previous month level.

In general, January-February LLDPE imports into Ukraine increased to 13,100 tonnes compared with 11,600 tonnes year on year. Local films producers accounted for the main increase in imports.

Imports of other grades of PE, including ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), reached around 2,300 tonnes against 2,200 tonnes a year earlier.

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