Belarus PP imports rise 4.7% in January-September

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) into Belarus grew in January-September by 4.7% year on year to 72,100 tonnes, according to a report by MRC’s DataScope.

Demand for all PP grades increased.

September PP imports to Belarus dropped to 8,300 tonnes from 9,600 tonnes a month earlier, local companies reduced their purchasing of propylene polymers in Russia due to scheduled shutdowns for maintenance at local plants.

Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 72,100 tonnes in January-September 2017, compared to 68,900 tonnes a year earlier.

Demand for all PP grades increased, but propylene copolymers accounted for the greatest growth.

The structure of PP imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.

September imports of propylene homopolymers (homopolymer PP) to the Belarusian market dropped to 5,400 tonnes from 5,600 tonnes a month earlier, shipments of injection moulding homopolymer PP decreased.

Thus, overall shipments of homopolymer PP reached 48,100 tonnes in the first nine months of the year, compared with 46,800 tonnes a year earlier.

Russian producers with the share of about 88% of the total shipments were the key suppliers.

September imports of propylene copolymers into Belarus fell to 3,000 tonnes from 4,000 tonnes a month earlier, local companies reduced their procurement of statistical propylene copolymers (PP random copolymers) in Russia.

Thus, overall imports of propylene copolymers reached 24,000 tonnes in January-September 2017, whereas this figure was 22,100 tonnes a year earlier.

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