MOSCOW (MRC) -- The launch of two new plants in Omsk and Tobolsk has reduced the dependence of the Russian polypropylene (PP) market from imports. Imports of propylene polymers fell by 22% in January-September 2013, according to MRC DataScope.
The start-up of the two new plants in Omsk and Tobolsk with the annual capacity of 180,000 tonnes and 500,000 tonnes, respectively (without launching the propane dehydrogenation unit), this year has reduced the dependence of the Russian market from imports. Imports of propylene polymers in the first nine months of 2013 dropped to 162,700 tonnes from 209,500 tonnes a year earlier. Homopolymer of propylene (homopolymer PP) and statistical copolymer of polypropylene (PP-random) accounted for the main decrease in imports.
In the structure of supply by PP grades, the situation was, as follows:
Imports of homopolymer PP in January-September 2013 dropped to 64,300 tonnes from 110,100 tonnes in 2012. Imports of homopolymer PP fell from all regions, with Europe accounting for the largest decrease in PP shipments.
Import of block copolymers of propylene (PP-impact) in the first nine months of the year reached about 43,000 tonnes, while a year earlier it was 38,200 tonnes. Imports of PP-impact for the production of pressure pipes and PP compositions (PP compound) for the automotive industry grew significanlty.
Imports of PP-random decreased by 24% to around 27,300 tonnes. Reduced imports were registeres in all consumption sectors, injection moulding and pipe grades of PP-random accounted for the largest decrease.
Import of other copolymers of propylene in January-September 2013 totalled about 28,000 tonnes.
MRC