Ukrainian PE imports down by 8% in January year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into the Ukrainian market dropped in the first month of 2020 by 8% year on year, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

Linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) accounted for the greatest reduction in imports.

Last month’s PE imports into Ukraine fell to 19,400 tonnes from 21,100 tonnes in January 2019 and 20,300 tonnes in December 2019.

Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers decreased, with high density polyethylene (HDPE) being the exception and LLDPE accounting for the greatest cut.

Overall PE imports into the country reached 268,700 tonnes in 2019.

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

Last month’s HDPE imports rose to 7,800 tonnes from 7,000 tonnes in January 2019 and 7,400 tonnes in December 2019.

Local companies significantly raised their purchasing of film grade PE. Overall HDPE imports exceeded 95,000 tonnes last year.

January LDPE imports were slightly over 6,000 tonnes, compared to 6,100 tonnes and 5,800 tonnes in January and December 2019b respectively. Overall LDPE imports reached 79,700 tonnes last year.

Last month’s LLDPE imports totalled 4,300 tonnes versus 6,600 tonnes in January 2019 and 6,000 tonnes in December 2019. Overall LLDPE imports grew to 81,500 tonnes in 2019.

Imports of other PE grades, including ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), totalled 1,200 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 1,300 tonnes in January 2019 and 1,000 tonnes in December 2019.

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