Jan-April PP imports into Ukraine down 6% year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polypropylene (PP) into Ukraine decreased by 6% in the first four months of 2017 year on year, totalling about 37,100 tonnes, according to a MRC’s DataScope report.

Several grades of PP copolymers accounted for the increase in shipments.

April PP imports to Ukraine decreased to 8,700 tonnes against 10,300 tonnes a month earlier due to the export restrictions from some European and Middle Eastern producers.

Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 37,100 tonnes in January-April, compared to 39,300 tonnes a year earlier.

The main increase was for PP block copolymers, while demand for PP random copolymers and homopolymer PP declined.

The structure of PP supplies over the reported period was as follows.

Ukraine’s imports of homopolymer PP dropped to 6,400 tonnes in April, compared with 7,800 tonnes in March.

Ukrainian companies faced further restrictions of PP supply from Europe and the Middle East.

Overall shipments of homopolymer PP reached 28,600 tonnes in the first four months of 2017 versus 30,500 tonnes a year earlier.

April imports of PP block copolymers were about 900 tonnes, compared to 1,100 tonnes a month earlier. The reduction in supply was a result of limited export quotas from European producers.

Imports of PP block copolymers into the country were about 3,800 tonnes in January-April, compared with about 3,600 tonnes year on year. Local pipes producers accounted for the greatest increase in demand.

April imports of PP random copolymers remained practically at the level of March and reached 1,200 tonnes as local companies increased supply of pipe PP grades, while purchases of injection moulding PP random copolymers decreased.

Overall imports of PP random copolymers reached 4,000 tonnes in January-April, whereas this figure was slightly over 4,500 tonnes a year earlier.

Overall imports of other propylene copolymers were about 770 tonnes over the stated period.

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