Russia’s PE imports increase 8% in January-May

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into the Russian market increased in the first five months of 2017 by 8% year on year to 220,000 tonnes, according to MRC’s DataScope Report.

Imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) grew significantly,

In May, PE imports into the Russian market rose to 49,000 tonnes from 45,200 tonnes a month earlier, with high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE) accounting for the main increase in imports.

In January-May 2017, the HDPE and EVA segments accounted for the increase in imports, whereas other PE grades accounted for the decrease in import shipments.

May’s HDPE imports rose to 21,000 tonnes from 18,400 tonnes in April, local companies continued to gradually increase their HDPE purchasing in Uzbekistan and Europe.

Overall HDPE imports reached 81,900 tonnes in the first five months of 2017 versus 52,400 tonnes a year earlier.

May imports of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) were 12,600 tonnes, compared to 12,100 tonnes a month earlier, shipments of film grade PE increased, whereas demand for rotational moulding PE decreased.

LLDPE imports totalled about 69,100 tonnes in the first five months of the year, compared to 82,900 tonnes a year earlier. An increase in the domestic output, particularly, by producer Nizhnekamskneftekhim, helped to reduce imports.

Last month’s imports of low density polyethylene (LDPE) grew to 8,200 tonnes, compared to 6,900 tonnes in April, paper lamination PE shipments from Europe increased.

Overall LDPE imports decreased to 37,600 tonnes in January-May 2017 from 44,400 tonnes a year earlier.

May imports of EVA amounted to about 3,300 tonnes against 3,500 tonnes a month earlier, demand from footwear producers decreased.

Imports of this ethylene copolymer grade grew by 46% over the stated period to 15,300 tonnes.

Imports of other ethylene polymers totalled 16,100 tonnes in the first five months of the year.

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