First-half PP imports into Ukraine down 1% year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) into the Ukrainian market decreased by 1% year on year in the first six months of 2017, as per MRC’s DataScope report.

Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 57,100 tonnes in January-June 2017, compared to 57,600 tonnes a year earlier. Propylene block copolymers (PP block copolymers) accounted for an increase in imports, whereas demand for statistical propylene copolymers (PP random copolymers) decreased.

June PP imports to Ukraine rose to 10,500 tonnes from 9,400 tonnes a month earlier, with the propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) segment accounting for an increase in shipments, whereas demand for propylene copolymers subsided.

Imports of homopolymer PP to the Ukrainian market grew to 8,400 tonnes in June, up from 6,800 tonnes in May. Local companies offset a shortage of PP from European producers by increasing shipments from Russia and Saudi Arabia. Overall shipments of homopolymer PP reached 43,800 tonnes in the first six months of 2017 versus 44,700 tonnes a year earlier.

June imports of PP block copolymers were 1,100 tonnes, compared to 1,200 tonnes a month earlier, demand for injection moulding propylene copolymers subsided. Over 6,100 tonnes of PP block copolymers were imported over the stated period, whereas last year’s figure was 5,500 tonnes. Local pipes producers accounted for the greatest increase in demand.

Last month’s imports of PP random copolymer also fell to 942 tonnes from 1,200 tonnes in May, as shipments of injection moulding PP random copolymer were reduced. Overall imports of PP random copolymers exceeded 6,000 tonnes in January-June 2017, whereas this figure was 6,400 tonnes a year earlier.

Overall imports of other propylene copolymers were 1,100 tonnes over the stated period.

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