MOSCOW (MRC) -- Last year's imports of polycarbonate (PC) and compounds into Russia totalled 11,500 tonnes, down by 54% year on year, according to MRC's DataScope report.
At the same time, exports from Russia grew by 3.4 times in 2016 to 10,600 tonnes from 3,100 tonnes a year earlier.
The structure of PC imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
Shipments of extrusion grade PE, imports of which were 1,400 tonnes, down by 88% year on year, decreased sharply. Many Russian sheets producers, the main consumers of extrusion grade PC, switched to Kazanorgsintez's material because of more attractive offer prices.
The reduction was 47% in the injection moulding PC granules sector last year. Overall shipments totalled 4,200 tonnes, compared to 7,900 tonnes a year earlier.
Shipments of blow moulding material reduced least of all. Last year's supply of this PC grade was 1,200 tonnes, down by 15% year on year.
There were significant changes in the structure of imported material producers over the past year. Shipments of Sabic's PC slumped by 82%, and Covestro became a leader among the import producers.
Overall Covestro's shipments to Russia totalled 4,000 tonnes last year, Sabic's deliveries were 2,700 tonnes and Lotte's shipments - 900 tonnes.
MRC