MOSCOW (MRC) -- Imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) into Kazakhstan decreased in 2015 by 11% year on year, totalling 76,200 tonnes, reported MRC analysts.
December HDPE imports to Kazakhstan rose to 7,400 tonnes from 3,500 tonnes a month earlier. Russian polyethylene (PE) accounted for the increase in supply, particularly, local pipes producers were actively replenishing their inventories. Overall HDPE imports totalled 76,200 tonnes from January to December 2015 versus 86,000 tonnes in the same period a year earlier. Demand for PE subsided in all consumption sectors.
The HDPE consumption structure by processing sectors looked the following way over the stated period: pipe grade PE accounted for over 85% of the total consumption. According to the Statistics Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, production of plastic pipes and fittings rose by 7% during the whole year of 2015 to 127,600 tonnes.
The films sector is the second largest consumption sector, its share was about 10%. According to the official statistics, 37,600 tonnes of polymer films were produced in the twelve months of 2015, up by 12% year on year.
Russian HDPE producers still occupied the key role among the suppliers in the local market. Their share was about 68% in the total deliveries over the stated period. Producers from South Korea and Uzbekistan shared the second and third places in PE shipments to the local market.
MRC