MOSCOW: January imports of polyethylene (PE) into the Russian market increased by 12% year on year to around 30,800 tonnes with high density polyethylene (HDPE) and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) imports growing, according to MRC DataScope. January PE imports into the country increased to 30,800 against 27,400 in January 2015 with HDPE and EVA imports growing while the supply of other PE grades decreased.
Overall 2016 PE imports in Russia fell to 530,100 tonnes from 572,000 tonnes a year earlier. The structure of PE production over the reported period looked as follows: Last month’s HDPE imports grew to 11,500 tonnes from 8,700 tonnes a year earlier, with local companies increasing purchasing of HDPE in Uzbekistan and Europe on the back of low export prices of local producers and a major strengthening of the rouble against the dollar. Overall HDPE imports decreased to 153,600 tonnes over the stated period versus 192,600 tonnes a year earlier.
January linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) imports decreased to 9,000 tonnes from 9,100 tonnes a month earlier, with Middle Eastern PE accounting for the main decrease in shipments by stretch films producers. Last year’s LLDPE imports totalled about 172,800 tonnes, compared to 217,300 tonnes a year earlier. Lower imports were partially caused by the increase in the domestic production. January low density polyethylene (LDPE) production in Russia was about 5,500 tonnes against 6,200 tonnes year on year. Overall 2016 LDPE imports fell to 92,900 tonnes from 102,900 tonnes a year earlier.
January imports of EVA increased to 2,400 tonnes, compared with 1,000 tonnes in January 2016. Imports of this ethylene copolymer grade grew by 46% over the stated period to 27,000 tonnes. Demand for this material increased from producers of footwear and cable and wire products. Imports of other polymers of ethylene in January totalled about 2,400 tonnes.
