MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of unfilled polyamide (PA) and polyamide plastics (PA plastics) to the Russian market decreased to 10,900 tonnes in the first ten months of the year, down 14% compared to the same period last year, according to MRC DataScope report.
Almost half of the total imports of PA and PA-plastics in Russia goes for the production of food packaging film (sausage casings and multilayer packaging). Whereas PA copolymers supplies occured for 25% share, and PA6 - 22% from the total imports in Russia. Russia's imports of PA 6 decreased to 2,600 tonnes in January-October 2014, down 26%year on year.
Russia's imports of PA-copolymers decreased to 5,900 tonnes in January-October, down 9% year on year. The only producer of PA 6 in Russia, Kuibyshev Azot, supplies to the domestic market polyamide Volgamid F34, suitable for food package. This polyamide belongs to the group of engineering plastics. These materials are in the higher price range than standard bulk polymers due to the complexity and feedstock costs.
Most of the PA imports to the Russian Federation carried out from Europe. Because of the devaluation of the rouble converters had to reduce their consumption of imported PA and look for polymer analogs to decrease production costs and improve margins.
MRC