MOSCOW (
MRC) -- Overall imports of polyethylene (PE) into the Ukrainian market dropped in the first half of 2017 by 4% year on year to 122,700 tonnes. Demand for low density polyethylene (LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE) subsided, according to
MRC's DataScope report.
June PE imports to Ukraine decreased to 22,000 tonnes after the May surge, compared to 23,800 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies reduced their purchasing of HDPE and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Overall PE imports reached 122,700 tonnes in January-June 2017, compared to 128,000 tonnes a year earlier, only shipments of LLDPE and ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) increased.
The structure of PE imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
HDPE imports to the Ukrainian market fell last month, oversupply of polymer in the market and expectations of resumption of Karpatneftekhim's launch were the main reasons for lower purchasing in foreign markets. June imports were 9,900 tonnes, compared to 11,100 tonnes in May. Overall HDPE imports reached 52,800 tonnes in the first half of 2017 versus 62,700 tonnes a year earlier, shipments of film grade HDPE fell by almost a quarter, demand for injection moulding PE subsided by 12%.
June LDPE imports rose to 5,700 tonnes from 5,000 tonnes a month earlier, with Russian producers accounting for the main increase in shipments. Overall LDPE imports exceeded 31,000 tonnes over the stated period, down by 1% year on year.
Last month's LLDPE imports were 5,700 tonnes, compared to 6,300 tonnes in May, with films producers accounting for a slight decrease in demand. Overall LLDPE imports grew to 31,200 tonnes in January-june 2017 from 28,300 tonnes a year earlier. Producers of film products, particularly, of stretch films, accounted for the main increase in demand.
Imports of other PE grades, including ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), totalled 7,700 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 5,600 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC