PE imports to Ukraine down by 3% year on year in January-July

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into the Ukrainian market dropped in the first seven months of 2017 by 3% year on year to 144,400 tonnes, according to MRC DataScope.

The greatest increase in supply was for high density polyethylene (HDPE).

July imports of polyethylene decreased to 21,700 tonnes compared with 22,000 tonnes in June.

Local companies have reduced purchases of HDPE on the back of the resumption of the local production.

Overall PE imports reached 144,400 tonnes in January-July 2017, compared to 149,300 tonnes a year earlier. Imports of  all PE grades increased, while HDPE delivery decreased.

The structure of PE imports over the reported period was as follows:

HDPE imports to the Ukrainian market fell last month due to oversupply of polymer in the market and expectations of the resumption of Karpatneftekhim’s launch.

July HDPE imports into the country were about 7,900 tonnes, compared with 9,900 tonnes in June.

Overall HDPE imports reached 60,600 tonnes in the first seven months of 2017 versus 72,100 tonnes a year earlier, with shipments of film grade HDPE down by almost a quarter. Demand for pipe PE subsided by 12%.

July LDPE imports rose to 6,800 tonnes from 5,700 tonnes a month earlier, with Russian producers accounting for the main increase in shipments. Overall LDPE imports exceeded 37,800 tonnes over the stated period, up by 1% year on year.

Last month’s LLDPE imports were 5,900 tonnes, compared to 5,700 tonnes in June, with films producers accounting for a slight decrease in demand.

Overall LLDPE imports grew to 37,100 tonnes in January-July 2017 from 32,700 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 (EVA), totalled 8,900 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 6,900 tonnes a year earlier.

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