MOSCOW (MRC) -- Imports of polypropylene (PP) into the Belarusian market rose in the first two months of 2016 by 1.9% year on year, totalling slightly less than 12,500 tonnes. At the same time, the propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) market showed a negative result, reported MRC analysts.
According to the National Statistics Committee of Belarus, February PP imports to Belarus grew to 7,800 tonnes from 4,700 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies increased their purchasing of both homopolymer PP and copolymers of propylene. Overall PP imports to the local market were about 12,500 tonnes in January - February 2016 versus 12,200 tonnes a year ago. Demand for propylene copolymers increased significantly, whereas purchasing of homopolymer PP dropped by 6.1%.
The consumption structure by PP grades looked the following way over the stated period.
February imports of homopolymer PP rose to 4,600 tonnes from 3,600 tonnes a month earlier, Russian producers accounted for the main increase in supplies. Overall imports of homopolymer PP to the local market grew to 8,200 tonnes in the first two months of 2016, compared to 8,800 tonnes a year earlier. Russian producers with a share of about 93% in the total sales were the key suppliers of homopolymer PP.
February imports of propylene copolymers inreased to 3,200 tonnes from 1,100 tonnes a month earlier, which was caused by the active formation of additional inventories from local producers of injection moulding products. Imports of propylene copolymers into Belarus grew by 22.2% over the stated period to 4,200 tonnes.
Russian producers were the main suppliers of copolymers of propylene to the local market in the first two months of 2016 (total shipments reached 3,800 tonnes).
MRC