Belarus PE imports down by 5% in January-November 2017

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into Belarus dropped in the first eleven months of 2017 by 5% year on year, reaching 112,400 tonnes, according to a MRC DataScope report.

Local companies increased their purchasing of all PE grades, except for linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE).

Meanwhile, demand for low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) increased.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics of Belarus, November 2017 PE imports to Belarus decreased to 9,100 tonnes from 10,300 tonnes a month earlier.

Russian producers of HDPE further reduced their shipments during the month.

November 2017 LDPE imports to Belarus grew to 3,600 tonnes from 3,200 tonnes a month earlier.

Local companies slightly increased their PE purchasing in Russia.

November 2017 LLDPE imports were 1,400 tonnes versus 1,800 tonnes a month earlier, with local companies reducing their purchasing of Middle Eastern butene grade PE.

Thus, overall LLDPE imports to Belarus exceeded 33,100 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2017, whereas this figure was 49,300 tonnes a year earlier.

November HDPE imports fell to 4,000 tonnes from 5,300 tonnes a month earlier.

Local companies had to reduce their PE purchasing from Russian producers because of export restrictions.

Thus, HDPE imports totalled 45,800 tonnes in January-November 2017, up by 9.7% year on year.

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