PE imports to Russia rose by 10% in the first two months of 2017

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into the Russian market increased in the first two months of 2017 by 10% year on year to 69,500 tonnes, with high density polyethylene (HDPE) growing significantly, according to MRC’s DataScope Report.

February PE imports to the Russian market rose to 38,700 tonnes, compared to 30,800 tonnes a month earlier, with shipments of all PE grades increasing.

Total PE imports exceeded 69,500 tonnes in January-February 2017 versus 63,000 tonnes a year earlier. The HDPE and ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) segment accounted for the greatest increase in imports.

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

Last month’s HDPE imports grew to 13,200 tonnes from 11,500 tonnes in January. Local companies increased their purchasing of film grade HDPE in Uzbekistan and HDPE for extruded coating of steel pipes in Europe. Overall HDPE imports exceeded 24,700 tonnes over the stated period versus 16,800 tonnes a year earlier. 

February linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) imports rose to 11,900 tonnes from 9,000 tonnes a month earlier, with Middle Eastern PE accounting for the main rise in shipments by stretch films producers.

LLDPE imports totalled 20,900 tonnes in the first two months of the year, compared to 24,100 tonnes a year earlier. Lower imports were partially caused by the increase in the domestic production.

Last month’s imports of low density polyethylene (LDPE) grew to 7,500 tonnes, compared to 5,500 tonnes in January. PE shipments from Europe increased, however overall LDPE imports fell to 13,000 tonnes in January-February 2017 from 14,300 tonnes a year earlier.

February EVA imports dropped to 2,300 tonnes from 2,400 tonnes a month earlier. Imports of this ethylene copolymer grade grew by 54% over the stated period to 4,700 tonnes.

Imports of other polymers of ethylene totalled 6,200 tonnes in the first two months of the year.

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