MOSCOW (MRC) -- Russian producers of low density polyethylene (LDPE) increased their exports by 23% over the first six months of 2014. As expected, the first months of the year accounted for the peak export sales, according to MRC ScanPlast.
June LDPE exports from Russia rose to 16,00 tonnes after a May reduction of 10,700 tonnes (Kazanorgsintez minimized its export contracts because of a scheduled shutdown for maintenance). Overall, Russian producers increased their LDPE sales in foreign markets (including the countries of the Customs Union) to 102,800 tonnes in the first half of 2014 versus 83,700 tonnes a year earlier. The first three months of the year accounted for the peak export sales, which was caused by weak seasonal demand in the domestic market and the rouble devaluation, which made exports more attractive for Russian producers.
Tomskneftekhim (SIBUR) and Angarsk Polymer Plant (Rosneft) are the main LDPE exporters. These plants' LDPE sales to foreign markets totalled 48,900 tonnes and 30,600 tonnes over the stated period versus 52,000 tonnes and 13,000 tonnes, respectively. Angarsk PP managed to reach such a serious growth in exports because of increased capacity utilisation (the plant's LDPE production rose by 43% to 32,800 tonnes).
Top-5 countries-importers of Russian LDPE are as follows: China (57,400 tonnes), Ukraine (12,800 tonnes), Kazakhstan (8,200 tonnes), Lithuania (5,900 tonnes) and Belgium (5,500 tonnes).
MRC