MOSCOW (MRC) -- The capacity of the Russian PP market over the 2011 rose by 4% year on year and exceeded 810 thousand tonnes. Russian producers met the growing market demand having increased their production volumes and exports reduction, according to MRC ScanPlast.
The growth of the Russian PP market in 2011 slowed down. By the end of 2011, the calculated PP consumption in Russia had risen to 810.8 thousand tonnes, that was by 4% more year on year. According to MRC, in 2010, market capacity grew by 22%. Such a notable growth mostly resulted from a low comparison base of the crisis 2009 year. Before 2008 inclusive, the Russian PP market had grown on average by 18% per year. After the recession, the dynamics of growth slowed on average to 10% per year.
Last year local producers met growing demand for PP in the Russian market by increasing the output to 681.4 thousand tonnes. Export shipments of the Russian PP also increased from 41.8 thousand tonnes in 2010 to 63.8 thousand tonnes in 2011. Imports, on the contrary, decreased by 3% to 192.8 thousand tonnes. Last year the structure of PP consumption notably changed by grades.
Capacity of the Russian market of the homopolymer of propylene decreased by 2% and made 602.4 thousand tonnes. The main reduction in consumption fell at the producers of PP bags and flexible containers and BOPP films. In 2011, the market of impact copolymers of propylene increased by one third and made 133.3 thousand tonnes.
The main increase in consumption fell at producers of polypropylene by injection molding technology (production pallets, automotive components, closures, etc.). A small decline in consumption was seen in the sector of pipe and sheet extrusion.
Over the last year, the market of stat-copolymers increased by 9% though overall consumption increased by 7%. A moderate growth in demand for Random-copolymer of propylene was seen in the sector of injection molding and pipe extrusion. Increased demand for stat-copolymer for pipes production resulted from the growth of domestic production and imports. Growing demand in the sector of injection molding was mainly ensured by domestic production.