MOSCOW (MRC) -- January imports of polypropylene (PP) to the Belarusian market decreased by 16% and totalled a little over 4,600 tonnes. Propylene copolymers accounted for the most significant fall in demand, reported MRC analysts.
According to the National Statistics Committee of Belarus, January PP imports to Belarus dropped to 4,600 tonnes versus 5,500 tonnes in January 2014 and 8,800 tonnes in December 2014. Lower PP shipments were caused by seasonal factors, and it was European material that accounted for the greatest fall in supplies, whereas propylene copolymers accounted for the weakest demand.
The consumption structure by PP grades looks the following way over the stated period.
January imports of propylene homopolymers (homopolymer PP) decreased to 3,900 tonnes from 4,100 tonnes in January 2014 and 6,500 tonnes in December 2014. Local companies significantly reduced their purchasing in Europe, particularly, in Hungary and Germany. At the same time, purchasing of homopolymer PP in Russia totalled 3,600 tonnes versus 2,100 tonnes in January 2014 and 4,800 tonnes in December 2014.
January imports of propylene copolymers fell below 800 tonnes, whereas they were 1,400 tonnes and 2,300 tonnes, respectively, in January 2014 and December 2014. As in the homopolymer PP market, local companies in the propylene copolymers market significantly reduced their purchasing in Europe in favor of Russian producers, particularly, Nizhnekamskneftekhim.
MRC