KIEV: Overall polyethylene (PE) imports into Ukraine in 2015 dropped by 15% year on year, totalling 212,800 tonnes, according to a MRC DataScope report on Tuesday. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) accounted for the greatest fall in demand, while the high density polyethylene (HDPE) segment accounted for smallest reduction in demand.
December PE imports into Ukraine fell to 19,800 tonnes from 23,300 tonnes a month earlier. PE purchasing volume in foreign markets was affected by seasonal factors and expectations of the cancellation of additional import duties of 5% from 1 January 2016. The supply structure by PE grades looked the following way over the stated period.
Last month’s HDPE imports to the Ukrainian market were 10,200 tonnes versus 9,600 tonnes in November, with Russian producers showing a slight increase in shipments. Last year’s overall HDPE imports totalled 93,600 tonnes, down by 12% year on year.
The extrusion blow moulding (EBM) segment accounted for the greatest fall in demand (about 29%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been actively displacing PE in this segment. Films producers accounted for the smallest decline in demand with – 5%.
December LDPE imports into Ukraine decreased to 5,200 tonnes from 7,400 tonnes in November, the seasonal factor was the main reason for weaker demand, especially, in the shrinkable films segment. Last year’s demand for this PE grades from local converters subsided by 20% and was 64,300 tonnes.
Last month’s imports of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) were 3,700 tonnes versus 5,200 tonnes in November, as local producers of stretch films further reduced their purchasing. LLDPE imports to Ukraine totalled 44,900 tonnes in 2015, down by 15% year on year. Overall imports of other ethylene polymers (including ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) dropped to 10,000 tonnes in 2015, whereas the last year’s figure exceeded 11,600 tonnes.
