MOSCOW (MRC) - Russian market of polycarbonate (PC) decreased to 23,600 tonnes, down 9% in the first quarter of this year, compared with the same period in 2013, according to MRC ScanPlast.
The main reason for the decrease in PC market volumes were weaker imports because of rouble devaluation and rising domestic prices. Many consumers have switched the buying of PC from Kazanorgsintez. Especially it affected the extrusion sector with seasonally growing demand.
Market participants said the peak of the demand will come on the eve of the May holidays.
Russia's market of extrusion grade PC was more than 19,000 tonnes in Q1 20014, down 11% against the same period last year. Average monthly processing volumes of extrusion grade PC in Russia are 5,000-8,000/tonnes this raw material, depending on the season. The first seasonal surge in demand is in March-May, and the second - at the beginning of autumn. The largest converters of extrusion PC in Russia are producers of cellular PC sheets, namely Kronos Polyalt and SafPlast.
Consumption in the injection moulding sector is steady as it is the least affected by seasonal factor. Market volume in this sector in the first quarter of this year increased to 5,000 tonnes, up 6% compared to the same period last year. Russia's monthly demand for the injection moulding PC is about 1,500 tonnes, where imports volumes make 1,000 tonnes. The remaining volumes are provided Russian producers.
Key consumers in this segment are producers of household appliances and automotive components (Samsung Electronics Rus Kaluga, LG Electronics Rus, Beko, Automotive Lighting). Blow moulding sector in Russia completely depends on imports, and in Q1 20014 decreased 674 tonnes, down 20% compared with the same period last year, on the back of price rise of Asian material and rouble devaluation.
Russia's monthly consumption of blow moulding PC is 250 tonnes. Main consumers are the producers of water packaging of more than 10 litres.
Total Russia's imports of PC in the first quarter of this year exceeded 10,000 tonnes, and PC exports was almost 4,000 tonnes over the reported period.
MRC