(ICIS-MRC) -- After cheapening in the external markets, LDPE prices have been falling in the Russian market as well, according to ICIS-MRC Price Report.
2010 was quite successful for polymers market after crisis 2008. Overall consumption of polyethylene in Russia grew more than by 30% compared to 2009 and exceeded 1.7 mln tons. Demand for LDPE increased by 29% and made 565 KT. Although hopes of many market players for 2011 didn't come true.
This year demand for LDPE in Russia keeps on growing but not that quickly as in 2010. Russian producers reduced LDPE output by 4%, at the same time export supplies got down by 12%. Excessive offer resulted in competitiveness among producers in the domestic market.
Nearly 1-month shutdown for maintenance of LDPE production at Kazanorgsyntez didn't allow to reduce excessive offer.
In the beginning of the last week the price for LDPE from Tomskneftehim was reduced by
1.500 RUB/t. At the end of the week contract prices for polyethylene from Kazan were reduced, on average, by 500 - 1.000 RUB/t, depending on the grade. The price for 158 LDPE was within the range 63.000 - 64.500 RUB/t, including VAT, FCA Moscow. In June, some Russian producers plan to increase LDPE exports to balance the market offer and demand.
Under the pressure of low demand from the late March till now, quotations for LDPE in Asia fell more than by USD 150/mt. In the European market spot prices fell on average by EUR 50-70/mt.