MOSCOW: Russia’s imports of polycarbonate (PC) totalled 315 tonnes in January 2016, down 64% year on year, according to a MRC DataScope report here the other day.
Russian PC is gradually replacing the European and Asian polymer in the segment of sheet extrusion under the program of import substitution.
The ongoing devaluation of the rouble also influenced the market sentiments. Almost all producers of sheets have switched to the Russian suppliers of feedstock, as end-users are not willing to accept higher prices for finished products.
Russian market of PC, meanwhile, was significantly affected by the decline in consumption of basic industries – construction and agriculture.
Market players do not expect PC market to improve in 2016.