MOSCOW (MRC) -- The overall imports of polypropylene (PP) into Ukraine dropped by 8% in the first three months of 2015 and totalled 21,700 tonnes. Block copolymers of propylene (PP-block) accounted for the greatest fall in demand, according to MRC DataScope report.
Last month's PP imports to Ukraine decreased to 7,800 tonnes from 8,300 tonnes in February because of weaker demand from local pipes producers. The overall imports of propylene polymers to the local market fell to 21,700 tonnes from January to March 2015 versus 23,500 tonnes a year earlier. PP-block accounted for the greatest drop in shipments because of weaker demand in the injection moulding and pipes extrusion sectors.
The supply structure by PP grades looks the following way over the stated period.
March imports of propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) to the Ukrainian market were 6,100 tonnes versus 6,000 tonnes in February, the injection moulding sector accounted for an increase in shipments. Imports of homopolymer PP dropped over the first three months of 2015 by 11% year on year and totaled 16,100 tonnes.
March imports of PP-block fell to 658 tonnes from 900 tonnes a month earlier. Imports of PP-block to Ukraine dropped to 2,300 tonnes over the stated period from 2,600 tonnes a year earlier. The injection moulding and pipes extrusion sectors accouted for the largest fall in demand.
Last month's imports of statistical propylene copolymers (PP-random) into Ukraine were slightly more than 800 tonnes, whereas the February figure was 1,300 tonnes, because of almost a double reduction in purchasing by local pipes producers. The overall imports of this grade of propylene copolymers was 2,700 tonnes from January to March 2015 versus 2,100 tonnes a year earlier. Demand from pipes producers increased by a third, while demand from local producers of biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BOPP) rose by 52%.
The overall imports of other propylene copolymers totalled about 600 tonnes over the said period versus 717 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC