PE imports to Ukraine down by 4% in H1 2017

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into the Ukrainian market dropped in the first half of 2017 by 4% year on year to 122,700 tonnes, as demand for low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) subsided, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

Overall PE imports reached 122,700 tonnes in January-June 2017, compared to 128,000 tonnes a year earlier, with only shipments of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) increasing.

June PE imports to Ukraine decreased to 22,000 tonnes after the May surge, compared to 23,800 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies reduced their purchasing of HDPE and LLDPE.

HDPE imports to the Ukrainian market fell last month, on the back of the oversupply of polymer in the market and expectations of resumption of Karpatneftekhim’s. June imports were 9,900 tonnes, compared to 11,100 tonnes in May.

Overall HDPE imports reached 52,800 tonnes in the first half of 2017 versus 62,700 tonnes a year earlier,  with shipments of film grade HDPE falling by almost a quarter and demand for injection moulding PE subsiding by 12%.

June LDPE imports rose to 5,700 tonnes from 5,000 tonnes a month earlier, with Russian producers accounting for the main increase in shipments. Overall LDPE imports exceeded 31,000 tonnes over the stated period, down by 1% year on year.

LLDPE imports were 5,700 tonnes in June, compared to 6,300 tonnes in May, with films producers accounting for a slight decrease in demand. Overall LLDPE imports grew to 31,200 tonnes in January-June 2017, having stood at 28,300 tonnes a year earlier. Producers of film products, particularly, of stretch films, accounted for the main increase in demand.

Imports of other PE grades, including ethylene-vinyl-acetate, totalled 7,700 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 5,600 tonnes a year earlier.

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