Russia PE Jan-Nov imports down 2% year on year, EVA shipments up

MOSCOW (MRC)–Overall polyethylene (PE) imports into the Russian market dropped in the first 11 months of 2018 by 2% year on year, while ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) shipments rose significantly, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

November PE imports to the Russian market reached 49,200 tonnes, almost equal to the previous  month’s figure.

Overall PE imports reached 540,200 tonnes in January-November 2018, compared to 553,500 tonnes in the same period  a year earlier.

EVA imports increased significantly, whereas imports of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) decreased.

The structure of PE imports looked the following way over the stated period:

November high density polyethylene (HDPE) imports grew to 23,300 tonnes from 22,800 tonnes a month earlier, with local companies slightly raising their HDPE purchasing in Uzbekistan.

Overall HDPE imports reached 227,900 tonnes in the first 11 months of 2018, almost flat last year’s figure.

Last month’s LLDPE imports were 11,900 tonnes, compared to 11,200 tonnes in October, with local companies increasing their shipments of film grade PE.

Overall LLDPE imports totalled slightly over 145,000 tonnes in January-November versus 166,600 tonnes a year earlier.

Nizhnekamskneftekhim’s increased output was the main reason for reducing dependence on imports.

November LDPE imports remained at the level of October – 6,700 tonnes. Overall LDPE imports totalled 77,100 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 82,600 tonnes a year earlier.

November’s EVA imports fell to 3,700 tonnes, compared to 4,900 tonnes in October, demand for EVA for compounds production increased. However, imports of this ethylene copolymer grade rose by 33% in January-November 2018 to 44,200 tonnes.

Imports of other ethylene polymers were about 46,000 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 44,800 tonnes a year earlier.

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