PVC imports to Ukraine dropped by 13% in H1 2017

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) into Ukraine decreased by 13% year on year in the first six months of  2017, falling from 55,300 tonnes to 48,000 tonnes, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

Demand for suspension subsided from local producers of profile-moulded products, whereas demand for resin increased from producers of plasticized PVC.

SPVC imports to Ukraine fell to 8,600 tonnes in June, down from 11,400 tonnes in May. In anticipation of resumption of resin production at Karpatneftekhim, Ukrainian companies reduced their shipments from the US, while restrictions on purchasing of polymer in Europe and Russia also remained.

In June, SPVC imports from the United States decreased to 4,300 tonnes, down from 6,400 tonnes in May. Local companies were forced to restrict their purchasing of North American resin because of expectations of Karpatneftekhim’s launch. Imports of North American resin totalled 17,400 tonnes in the January-June period versus 34,700 tonnes a year earlier.

Shipments of European PVC into the Ukrainian market fell from 3,100 tonnes in May to 2,800 tonnes in June. Overall, imports of European PVC rose to 21,300 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 16,500 tonnes a year earlier.

In June, SPVC imports from Russia dropped to 1,300 tonnes, having stood at 1,900 tonnes in May. Shipments of Russian resin totalled 8,900 tonnes in the first six months of 2017, compared to 3,800 tonnes a year earlier.

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