PE imports to Kazakhstan rise 37% in Jan-Feb

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Kazakhstan increased to about 17,500 tonnes in January-February 2016, up 37%  compared with the same time a year earlier. Shipments of all PE grades increased, according to MRC analysts.

February PE imports into Kazakhstan increased to 9,800 tonnes, compared with 7,700 tonnes in January because some local companies began to build additional stocks for the start of the “high season”, in particular, consumers of low density polyethylene (LDPE). Total PE imports into the country were about 17,500 tonnes in January – February 2017, compared with 12,700 tonnes in the same time a year earlier. Shipments of all PE grades increased.

February imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in Kazakhstan increased to 5,900 tonnes, compared with 5,300 tonnes in January.

Local companies increased their purchasing of pipe grade HDPE in Russia and in Uzbekistan. Thus, overall HDPE imports exceeded 11,200 tonnes in January-February, up by 38% year on year.

February imports of LDPE into the country grew to 3,600 tonnes, compared with 2,000 tonnes in January. Local companies actively built up additional stocks of raw materials on the back of traditional restrictions on supplies from Russian producers in March-May due to preventive repairs. Total imports of LDPE into Kazakhstan were about 5,500 tonnes in January-February, up 37% year on year.

Purchases of LLDPE by local companies in January-February increased to 704 tonnes compared to 520 tonnes a month earlier.

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