MOSCOW (MRC) -- Last month's overall imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) into Ukraine decreased by 29% year on year. Weaker demand and issues with the foreign currency purchasing in the country were the reasons for lower imports, according to MRC DataScope report.
January HDPE imports to Ukraine fell to its lowest in the past few years and totalled 5,300 tonnes, while in January and December 2014 this figure was 7,500 tonnes and 11,800 tonnes, respectively. The fall in demand for HDPE was dictated by both the slowdown in the economy and problems with the foreign currency purchasing for procurement of polyethylene (PE) in foreign markets.
The supply structure by HDPE processing technologies looks the following way over the stated period.
January imports of film grade HDPE to the Ukrainian market slumped to 2,700 tonnes from 4,000 tonnes in January 2014 and 6,200 tonnes in December 2014. PE from Saudi Arabia accounted for the main decline in imports.
January imports of pipe grade HDPE decreased even more significantly and totalled 350 tonnes (1,800 tonnes and 1,300 tonnes in January and December 2014, respectively). Shipments were reduced from all countries.
Last month's imports of blow moulding HDPE to Ukraine totalled 900 tonnes versus 1,200 tonnes in January 2014 and 2,300 tonnes in December 2014. Shipments from Europe and Saudi Arabia fell significantly, whereas imports of this PE grade from Russia were completely stopped.
January imports of injection moulding HDPE reached 1,300 tonnes versus 428 tonnes in January 2014 and 1,600 tonnes in December. Many Ukrainian companies have shifted to purchasing this HDPE grade in Saudi Arabia and Asian countries in recent months because of several reasons.
MRC