MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) into Russia dropped in the first three months of 2016 by 12% year on year, totalling 35,600 tonnes. Statistical copolymers of propylene (PP-random) accounted for the greatest fall in shipments, according to MRC DataScope report.
Russian companies increased their PP purchasing in foreign markets last month, which reached 13,200 tonnes, compared to 11,400 tonnes in February. PP from Turkmenistan accounted for the main increase in supplies. Overall, 35,600 tonnes of PP were imported into Russia in January - March 2016 versus 40,400 tonnes over the same period a year earlier. PP-random accounted for the main decrease in imports, which was partially caused by a significant increase of domestic production.
In general, the structure of PP imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
March imports of propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) rose to 6,000 tonnes from 4,800 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies increased their purchasing volumes of homopolymer PP of raffia grade in Turkmenistan. Overall imports of this PP grade dropped to 16,000 tonnes in January - March 2016 from 18,500 tonnes a year ago.
Last month's imports of block copolymer of propylene (PP-block) were 2,800 tonnes, compared to 2,400 tonnes in February. Producers of injection moulding products raised their purchasing in foreign markets, whereas imports of pipe grade PP, on the contrary, decreased. Shipments of PP-block into Russia grew to 7,700 tonnes in the first three months of the year, up by 7% year on year.
Imports of PP-random were 2,300 tonnes in March versus 2,200 tonnes a month earlier. Overall imports of this PP grade fell by 21% in the first three months of 2016 to 6,100 tonnes. The dependence of Russian producers on imports is still strong in the BOPP films sector, whereas purchasing of PP-random for the pipes production was virtually reduced to zero by Russian producers (due to the increase in domestic production).
Imports of other propylene polymers totalled 5,800 tonnes over the stated period versus 7,000 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC