PE imports to Kazakhstan up 15% in January-April

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Kazakhstan grew in the first four months of 2017 by 15% year on year, totalling 35,200 tonnes, with shipments of all PE grades increasing, according to a MRC report.

April PE imports to Kazakhstan rose to 9,200 tonnes from 8,500 tonnes a month earlier, with local companies significantly increasing their purchasing of low density polyethylene (LDPE).

Overall PE imports totalled 35,200 tonnes in January-April 2017, compared to 30,600 tonnes a year earlier.

Purchasing of all PE grades grew, with high density polyethylene (HDPE)  accounting for the greatest increase.

April HDPE imports to Kazakhstan went up to 7,600 tonnes from 7,200 a month earlier.

Local companies further increased their PE purchasing in Uzbekistan, with the overall HDPE imports reached 26,100 tonnes in the first four months of 2017, up by 17% year on year.

Last month’s LDPE purchasing by local companies grew to 1,400 tonnes, compared to 400 tonnes in March.

Local companies were actively replenishing their inventories with Russian PE.

Overall LDPE imports to Kazakhstan totalled 7,200 tonnes in January-April 2017, up by 8% year on year.

Purchasing of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) by local companies was 1,800 tonnes in the first four months of 2017, compared to 1,700 tonnes a month earlier.

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