MOSCOW (MRC) - Russia's imports of polypropylene (PP) decreased to about 49,400 tonne in first four months of this year, down 3% year on year, compared to the same period of 2015. The largest decrease occurred for PP random copolymers, as per MRC DataScope.
Russia's imports of PP increased in April, having reached 13,800 tonnes compared with 13,200 tonnes in March. The main increase in last month's PP imports occurred for PP from Turkmenistan. In general, PP imports into Russia totalled 49,400 tonnes in January-April 2016, compared with 50,900 tonnes year on year. The main decrease in imports occurred for PP random copolymers on the back of a significant increase in domestic production, while imports of other propylene polymers increased.
PP imports in Russia over the reported period looked as follows.
Imports of homopolymer PP increased to 7,000 tonnes in April, compared with 6,000 tonnes in March. Local companies increased procurement of homopolymer PP raffia grade in Turkmenistan because of lower export prices at the local producer. Imports of homopolymer PP raffia grade are also expected to be significant in next few months. Total imports homopolymer PP raffia grade into Russia increased to 22,900 tonnes in January - April 2016, compared with 21,500 year on year.
April imports of PP block copolymers in Russia decreased to 2,000 tonnes against 2,800 tonnes in March. Producers of injection moulding products and PP compounds reduced their purchases last month. Total imports of PP block copolymers into Russia increased to 9,700 tonnes in the first four months of the year, up 4% year on year.
April imports of PP random copolymers into Russia were about 2,500 tonnes, compared to 2,300 tonnes in March on the back of an increase in purchases from the local producers of PP pipes. Russia's imports of PP random copolymers decreased to 8,600 tonnes in January-April 2016, down 19% year on year. Russian pipe producers have significantly reduced imports volumes.
Imports of other propylene polymers for the reported period decreased to about 8,200 tonnes compared with 9,500 tonnes in the same time a year earlier.
MRC