PE imports into Ukraine increased by 2% in the first two months of 2017

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Ukraine increased to 39,700 tonnes in the first two months of 2017, up 2% compared to the same period of 2016, according to MRC DataScope.

February PE imports to Ukraine rose to 21,500 tonnes, despite seasonal factors, compared to 18,200 tonnes a month earlier. Some companies were actively building up additional inventories of low density PE (LDPE) and linear low density PE (LLDPE) on the back of the outlook of a major price rise in March.

In general, January-February imports into Ukraine totalled 39,700 tonnes compared with 38,900 tonnes year on year; supply of all PE grades increased, with an exception of high density polyethylene (HDPE). 

Structure of PE imports over the reported period was as follows.

February imports of HDPE into the country decreased to 6,800 tonnes, compared with 8,200 tonnes in January as local companies significantly reduced purchases of film and pipe HDPE due to excess supply and low demand.

Overall, HDPE imports exceeded 15,000 tonnes in January-February, compared to 19,000 tonnes a year earlier, only supply of extrusion blowmoulding HDPE increased.

February imports of LDPE grew to 6,600 tonnes from 5,200 tonnes a month earlier. On the back of quite low prices in Russia and in the Middle East, some companies were actively building up LDPE inventories ahead of stronger demand in spring.

Overall, LDPE imports exceeded 11,800 tonnes over the stated period, up by 11% year on year.

February imports of LLDPE reached about 6,700 tonnes against 3,900 tonnes in January, with local producers of stretch films almost doubling the volume of purchases on the back of anticipation of a significant price increase in March.

January-February LLDPE imports into Ukraine rose to 10,600 tonnes from 7,900 tonnes a year earlier. Producers of film products and large items, produced by rotational moulding, accounted for the main increase in demand.

Imports of other grades of polyethylene, including EVA for the period under review reached about 2,200 tonnes against 1,200 tonnes a year earlier.

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