MOSCOW: Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Kazakhstan dropped 48% in January-February 2016 compared to the same two-month period in 2015, according to MRC analysts. Imports dropped during the period 12,500 tonnes, compared to January-February 2015. February PE imports into Kazakhstan seasonally increased to 8,100 tonnes, compared with 4,400 tonnes in January.
The main growth in PE deliveries provided local producers of PE pipes, which built up stocks ahead of seasonal surge in demand and low prices in foreign markets. February imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) in Kazakhstan increased to 6,400 tonnes, compared with 1,800 tonnes in January.
The main increase occurred for the local producers of pipes, with increased volumes of purchases in Russia and Asia. Local companies actively built up stock inventories before the start of the season, taking into account low prices. Imports of HDPE into Kazakhstan stood at 8,200 tonnes in the first two months of this year, compared with 20,800 tonnes in the same period of 2015.
A somewhat different situation was observed in the market of low density polyethylene (LDPE). February imports of LDPE dropped to 1,500 tonnes, compared with 2,300 tonnes in January. Active procurement of LDPE were in January, some local companies tried to minimise the negative effects of devaluation.
Imports of LDPE into Kazakhstan were about 3,800 tonnes in the first two months of the year, compared with 3,000 tonnes year on year. Purchases of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) from local companies were relatively stable and not affected by seasonal factors.
February LLDPE imports into the country stood at 207 tonnes, compared with 312 tonnes in January. Total imports of LLDPE into Kazakhstan were 519 tonnes in the first two months of the year, compared with 507 tonnes in the same period of 2015.
