Ukraine PE imports down 3% in January-September year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Ukraine in January-September fell by 3% year on year, according to the DataScope.

September PE imports decreased to 16,500 tonnes from 20,700 tonnes in August, mainly due to a decline in purchases because of limited export quotas from producers in Europe and Russia.

Total PE imports into the country exceeded 179,000 tonnes in January-September compared with 185,400 tonnes in the same period a year earlier.

Imports of high-density PE (HDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) decreased, while demand for other ethylene polymers increased.

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

September imports of HDPE decreased to 4,900 tonnes against 6,200 tonnes in August, due polyethylene required for the production of plastic bottles and film products from Europe.

Overall HDPE imports reached 54,900 tonnes in the first nine months of the year, compared to 74,700 tonnes a year earlier.

Film grade HDPE accounted for the greatest reduction in imports (-60%), which was caused by the resumption of local production.

September imports of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) decreased to 4,500 tonnes from 6,300 tonnes a month earlier with some companies reducing purchases of LDPE in Russia and the Middle East.

Overall LDPE imports reached 59,500 tonnes over the stated period, up by 15% year on year.

September imports of linear low-density PE (LLDPE) into the country decreased to 5,800 tonnes from 6,200 tonnes in August on weaker purchasing from local producers of large items produced by rotational moulding.

In general, January-September LLDPE imports into Ukraine increased to 55,400 tonnes compared with 49,300 tonnes year on year. The main increase in demand was from local producers of the film.

Imports of other grades of PE, including EVA, for the period under review reached about 11,700 tonnes against 11,900 tonnes a year earlier.

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