(MRC) -- Russian companies keep on active investing in PVC processing equipment, despite a serious slowdown of polymer consumption this year, according to MRC DataScope.
Last year was quite successful for the Russian PVC converters. Following 2010 results, demand for suspension in the domestic market increased by 33% (compared to 24% fall in 2009) and made 877 KT. This growth in consumption was mainly due to increased investment in the construction sector in Russia, as well as unsatisfied deferred demand for finished goods in the preceding year.
Besides, cold winter in 2009-2010 boosted demand for energy-saving plastic windows. By estimates, about one third of dwelling-space in Russia got energy-saving windows. In comparison, Germany took about a quarter-century to saturate the market of translucent structures. Though, it is quite difficult to rate this data for Russia at the moment.
The leap in demand for PVC finished products motivated market participants to increase investment in expanding production. Following last year results, investments in PVC processing made about USD 60 mln, that was 4% more than in 2009, although it was 2.5 times less than investments in the peak 2007 year.
Profiles have been a key sector of PVC consumption in the Russian market for several years. In 2010, PVC consumption in the sector made nearly 700 KT. Profiles gain in 2010 made 162 KT, while in 2008 it was 423 KT.
Many market players are quite optimistic about the market prospects in 2011. Some of major converters of profiles forecasted 10-15% growth in PVC consumption. These expectations formed the investment programs. Over the first 7 months, the investments in PVC processing equipment exceeded USD 74 mln.
About one third of total investments expectedly fell at extrusion equipment for profiles production. Major investors are the leaders in the PVC Russian market: Profine, Veka, Narodny Plastic, Propleks, Exprof, STL Extrusion, Vitrazh. More than USD 14 mln was invested in PVC mixing equipment. Mixing unit is a concern for many companies to increase their loading rate of extrusion equipment. The leaders of this sector are Narodny Plastic, BFK-Extrusion, Vintek Plastic, Metal-Plast, Vec, Terna Polymer. Among the investments in PVC pipes and hoses production there should be mentioned Chemkor, Electro-Delta, DKS, MPT-Plastic, etc.
MRC