MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into the Republic of Belarus rose in the first eight months of 2016 by 31.2% year on year, totalling over 83,700 tonnes. Such an increase in imports was partially caused by reimports to Russia, according MRC's DataScope report.
According to the National Statistics Bureau of the Republic of Belarus, in August 2016, PE imports to Belarus virtually remained at the level of July and were 13,100 tonnes. Local companies increased their shipments of Middle Eastern linear low density polyethylene LLDPE and of European high density polyethylene (HDPE) at the expense of low density polyethylene (LDPE). Overall PE imports exceeded 83,700 tonnes in January-August 2016, compared to 63,800 tonnes a year earlier, with LLDPE acounting for the main increase in shipments.
The structure of PE imports to Belarus by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
August total imports of LDPE and LLDPE decreased to 8,400 tonnes (of which LLDPE accounted for 5,400 tonnes) versus 8,700 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies increased their LLDPE purchasing from Middle Eastern producers, whereas purchasaing of LDPE from the Azerbaijani producer was reduced because of the shutdown for maintenance. Overall imports of these PE grades to Belarus totalled 54,200 tonnes in the first eight months of the year (with LLDPE accounting for 34,900 tonnes, of which at least 80% is then further shipped to Russia) versus 37,00 tonens a year earlier.
August HDPE imports rose to 4,700 tonnes from 4,100 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies raised their purchasing of pipe grade PE. Thus, HDPE imports were 29,500 tonnes in January-August 2016, up by 10% year on year.
MRC