MOSCOW (MRC) -- Imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) to the Russian market dropped by 2% over the first nine months of 2014. Scheduled outage for maintenance of Russian producers in September led to a substantial increase in imports, according to MRC DataScope report.
As expected, September HDPE imports to Russia grew to record levels over the past two years and totalled 41,500 tonnes on the back of the scheduled shutdowns for maintenance works at Kazanorgsintez and Nizhnekamskneftekchim. The overall imports of this polyethylene (PE) grade into Russia decreased to 223,900 tonnes from January to September 2014 versus 228,200 tonnes a year earlier.
The structure of imports by consumption sectors looks the following way over the stated period.
Last month's imports of pipe grade HDPE increased to 14,500 tonnes from 8,800 tonnes in August on strong seasonal demand and scheduled shutdowns for maintenance at Russian plants. The overall pipe grade PE imports into Russia reached 65,800 tonnes over the first nine months of 2014, up by 17% year on year.
September HDPE imports for extrusion coating of large-diameter steel pipes virtually rose to 4,700 tonnes from 3,100 tonnes a month earlier. PE imports to this processing sector fell by 25% over the said period and reached 43,500 tonnes.
Imports of injection moulding HDPE rose slightly last month to 3,700 tonnes from 3,100 tonnes in August because of supplies from Uzbekistan. Imports of this HDPE grade into Russia dropped by 2% over the first nine months of 2014 to about 36,100 tonnes.
September imports of blow moulding HDPE increased almost twice from August up to 9,700 tonnes on the back of the absence of shipments from Russian producers. The overall imports of this PE grade rose by 35% from January to September 2014 to 39,200 tonnes.
Seasonal factors and scheduled outages for maintenance also led to an increase in film grade HDPE imports last month up to 7,600 tonnes (5,900 tonnes in August). Imports of film grade PE were 29,600 tonnes over the said period, down by 21% year on year.
HDPE imports into the other consumption sectors (cable extrusion, rotational moulding, etc.) fell to 9,700 tonnes from 11,200 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC