PE imports to Belarus grew by 15.4% in January-April 2017

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into Belarus rose in the first four months of 2017 by 15.4% year on year, exceeding 41,300 tonnes, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of Belarus, April 2017 PE imports to Belarus dropped to 9,800 tonnes from 11,500 tonnes a month earlier. Overall PE imports reached 41,300 tonnes in January-April 2017, compared to 35,800 tonnes during the same period a year earlier.

Imports of all PE grades rose, with low density polyethylene (LDPE) accounting for the greatest increase.

April LDPE imports decreased to 2,000 tonnes from 3,400 tonnes a month earlier. Low demand for film products made local companies to reduce the volume of purchases in Russia and Azerbaijan. Overall imports of this PE grade into Belarus totalled about 10,500 tonnes in the first four months of 2017, compared to 6,300 tonnes a year earlier.

An accident at the local producer’s ethylene unit and, as a result, a major fall  in capacity utilisation at LDPE production in the second half of the year was the main reason for the increase in imports.

April LLDPE imports were about 2,600 tonnes, compared to 3,800 tonnes a month earlier. Thus, overall LLDPE imports to Belarus exceeded 15,000 tonnes in January-April 2017, whereas this figure was 18,000 tonnes a year earlier.

April imports of high-density polyethylene increased to 5,000 tonnes compared with 4,200 tonnes in March. Local companies increased their purchasing of film grade PE from Russian producers. Overall HDPE imports into the country were about 15,800 tonnes in January-April 2017, up by 26% year on year.

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