PVC imports to Ukraine dropped by a third in 2018

MOSCOW (MRC)–2018 imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) into Ukraine slumped by 33% year on year, with a jump in domestic production being the main driver of the fall, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

Overall imports of suspension reached 66,100 tonnes in 2018, compared to 98,500 tonnes a year earlier.

Karpatneftekhim’s stable operations after a lengthy outage helped to significantly reduce the dependence of the Ukrainian market on imports. Higher production allowed an increase in exports.

In December alone, SPVC imports to the Ukrainian market remained close to the level recorded in November, totalling 4,500 tonnes.

Imports of US SPVC in December grew to 2,600 tonnes from 2,000 tonnes in November. Thus, imports of US resin totalled 38,600 tonnes last year, compared to 49,800 tonnes a year earlier.

December shipments of European PVC to the Ukrainian market were 1,800 tonnes, compared to 2,600 tonnes a month earlier. Overall imports of European PVC into Ukraine totalled 26,200 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 32,800 tonnes a year earlier.

Overall, Karpatneftekhim shipped over 147,500 tonnes to foreign markets last year, whereas this figure was 51,900 tonnes a year earlier.

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