PP imports into Kazakhstan grew by 26% in Jan-Oct, exports up 26%

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polypropylene (PP) into Kazakhstan exceeded 27,200 tonnes in the first ten months of this year, up 26% compared to the same period of 2016, according to MRC analysis on Friday.

In terms of October alone, PP shipments to Kazakhstan grew to 2,400 tonnes, up from 1,600 tonnes a month earlie.

October imports of homopolymer PP rose to 1,800 tonnes, up from 700 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies increased their purchasing of homopolymer PP raffia from Russian producers after several months of serious restrictions due to preventative shutdowns of production.

Overall PP imports of this grade exceeded 16,900 tonnes in the first ten months of 2017, compared to 13,700 tonnes a year earlier.

Shipments of propylene copolymers decreased to 600 tonnes in October from 900 tonnes in September, as local pipes producers reduced their purchasing. Thus, imports of propylene copolymers reached 10,300 tonnes in January to October, compared to 8,000 tonnes a year earlier.

Polypropylene exports from Kazakhstan also increased in the first ten months, even though PP exports were not carried out in October because of the planned turnaround of a local producer.

Total PP exports from Kazakhstan were about 18,500 tonnes in the first ten months of this year, compared with 14,700 tonnes in the same time a year earlier.

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