PVC imports into Russia drop threefold January-August 2018

MOSCOW (MRC)– Imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) in Russia fell to about 13,500 tonnes in the first eight months of the year, a drop of almost three times compared to the same time a year earlier.

At the same time, Russian producers had to increase their exports by 28%, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

August imports of suspension PVC practically remained at a level a month earlier and amounted to less than 800 tonnes. Thus, overall imports of PVC to Russia totalled about 13,500 tonnes in the first eight months of 2018, compared to 42,000 tonnes a year earlier.

At the same time, Russian producers began to ship resin for export more actively this year because of weak demand in the domestic market, export sales increased by more than a quarter. The key external suppliers of PVC are Chinese producers, the total volume of imports of acetylene PVC for eight months reached 11,500 tonnes against 39,400 tonnes a year earlier.

Lower domestic demand and the weakening of the rouble against the dollar helped Russian producers to increase their export sales, although export sales fell in summer.

About 5,000 tonnes were shipped to foreign markets in August (excluding deliveries to the countries of the Customs Union) versus 4,600 tonnes in July. 78,200 tonnes of SPVC were shipped for export in January-August 2018, compared to 61,300 tonnes a year earlier.

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