MOSCOW (MRC) -- In January Ukrainian companies expectedly reduced imports of suspension PVC by twice. Severe frosts at the beginning of the month and a serious growth of PVC prices in the external markets will affect February imports, according to MRC analysts.
In January there is a traditionally lowest demand for PVC. Though the beginning of this year appeared more than modest for the Ukrainian market. In January Ukrainian companies imported nearly 3,764 tons of suspension PVC that was nearly twice as less as in December 2011. More significant import was in January 2011 - 7,231 tons.
The main reason for such low imports was a low demand for PVC in Ukraine. Despite expected growth of PVC prices in the external markets in February, Ukrainian converters didn't make inventories. Many local converters resumed their operation only in February. The domestic producer - Karpatneftekhim (Lukoil group) - also affected the situation in the domestic market.
Last year some trading companies made serious purchases of PVC in US, but this year the situation changed. The bottom of export prices in USA fell at November, nevertheless, Ukrainian companies didn't hurry to make significant purchases of PVC.
Severe frosts at the beginning of the month and the growth of export prices for PVC in Europe (EUR70-100/tonne) will also affect suspension PVC imports to Ukraine in February. Preliminary resin import will make 6,500 tons this month.
In 2011 the Ukrainian market of suspension PVC grew by 7% and reached 134,550 tons. Because of the launch of the resin production at Karpatneftekhim, import supplies of suspension to Ukraine reduced by 5% last year and made 118,530 tons. Over the incomplete 7 months of operation, the Ukrainian producer gained 12% of the market of suspension PVC.