PP imports to Belarus up by 5.5% in January-August year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Polypropylene (PP) imports into Belarus grew in the first eight months of 2018 by 5.5% year on year to 67,300 tonnes with demand for all grades increasing, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

August PP imports to Belarus were about 9,000 tonnes, compared to 8,800 tonnes a month earlier, with local companies raising their purchasing of propylene homopolymers (homopolymer PP).

Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 67,300 tonnes in January-August 2018, compared to 63,800 tonnes a year earlier.

Demand for all grades of propylene polymers increased, but homopolymer PP accounted for the greatest growth.

The supply structure by PP grades looked the following way over the stated period:

August imports of homopolymer PP to the Belarusian market rose to 6,600 tonnes from 5,700 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies increased their purchases of homopolymer PP raffia.

Overall imports of homopolymer PP reached 45,900 tonnes in the first eight months of 2018, up by 7.4% year on year. Russian producers with the share of about 89% of the total shipments were the key suppliers.

Imports of propylene copolymers to Belarus were 2,400 tonnes in August versus 3,100 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies reduced their procurement of injection moulding statistical copolymers (PP random copolymers).

Thus, overall imports of propylene copolymers reached 21,400 tonnes in January-August 2018, whereas this figure was 21,100 tonnes a year earlier.

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