MOSCOW (MRC) - Total imports of suspension polyvinyl chloride (SPVC) to Russia decreased by 59% in the first three months of 2014 on the back of the weaker demand, according to MRC DataScope.
Russia's SPVC imports in March increased to 19,200 tonnes, compared with 14,300 tonnes in February. In general, total volume of external supplies of SPVC into Russia was reduced to 45,000 tonnes in Q1 2014, compared with 110,000 tonnes in the same period in 2013. The main reason for the sharp decline in imports was weak demand and the devaluation of the Russian rouble.
Geography of import deliveries in the first quarter of 2014 looked as follows. Leaders in SPVC imports remained US producers. Imports volumes of US SPVC in March decreased to 5,500 tonnes, compared with 6,400 tonnes delivered in February. Russia's imports of US SPVC declined to 17,700 tonnes in Q1 20014, down 68% compared to the same period in 2013.
The second largest supplier of SPVC to Russia was China. March imports of Chinese acetylene PVC to Russia rose more than twofold to 7,100 tonnes, compared to February's level 3,100 tonnes. Russia's imports of Chinese acetylene resin fell to 11,800 tonnes in the first three months of 2014, from 44,200 tonnes year on year.
Russia's imports of European PVC was about 4,400 tonnes in March. Imports of European resin to the Russian market reached 10,200 tonnes in Q1 2014, compared with 6,900 tonnes year on year.
MRC