Russia’s HDPE imports up 49% in January-August

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) into the Russian market rose in January-August of 2017 by 49% year on year to 143,000 tonnes, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

Imports of film grade HDPE accounted for the greatest increase in shipments.

August HDPE shipments to the Russian market grew to a record 25,000 tonnes over the past two years, from 15,000 tonnes in July, with HDPE from Uzbekistan accounting for the main increase in supplies.

Overall HDPE imports reached 143,000 tonnes in January-August 2017, compared to 96,200 tonnes a year earlier.

The increase in imports was registered in all consumption sectors, but film grade polyethylene (PE) accounted for the largest increase in imports.

Last month’s film grade HDPE imports went up to 7,000 tonnes from 3,400 tons in July, with Russian firms increasing their purchasing in Uzbekistan.

Overall HDPE imports reached 34,700 tonnes in the first eight months of 2017 versus 15,200 tonnes a year earlier.

August imports of injection moulding HDPE were about 5,600 tonnes versus 3,400 tonnes a month earlier, shipments from Uzbekistan also increased.

Imports of injection moulding HDPE totalled 33,100 tonnes in the first eight months of the year, compared to 24,700 tonnes a year earlier.

Last month’s imports of HDPE for extrusion blow moulding (EBM) rose to 4,800 tonnes, compared to 2,000 tonnes in July.

Imports of this HDPE grade grew in January-August 2017 by 40% year on year to 29,500 tonnes.

HDPE imports to other consumption segments (extrusion coating of large-diameter steel pipes, pipes extrusion, etc.) totalled 45,700 tonnes in the first eight months of 2017 versus 35,300 tonnes a year earlier.

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