MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) into Russia increased by 2% in the first eleven months of the year to 43,900 tonnes cjmpared with 42,900 tonnes, according to MRC's DataScope report.
Higher HIPS imports boosted the overall shipments, whereas GPPS imports have slightly decreased. November imports of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) into Russia increased by 6% to 1,980 tonnes, compared with 1,870 tonnes in October, and down 5% year on year.
The imports of Styrolution production material sharply increased to 970 tonnes against 320 tonnes in October, accounting for 49% from overall GPPS imports into the country in November, while in October it was 17%. November GPPS imports from China were 400 tonnes, compared to 230 tonnes in October. Imports of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) to the Russian domestic market decreased in the first eleven months of 2017 by 4% year on year to 23,200 tonnes from 24,000 tonnes in a year earlier.
Supplies from Styrolution reached 11,400 tonnes or 49% from the total imports of GPPS from the beginning of the year against 15,200 tonnes and a share of 63% in January-November of last year. About half of the total import of GPPS accounted for the material for the production of XPS boards.
November imports of HIPS into Russia increased by 18% to 1,610 tonnes, compared with 1,3600 tonnes in October. In terms of producers last month, it is worth noting the increase in shipments from South Korea to 420 tonnes from 200 tonnes a month earlier. The rest of the volume of imports was supplied by European producers. Overall HIPS imports rose by 10% year on year in the first eleven months of 2017 to 20,700 tonnes from 18,800 tonnes a year earlier.
As a result of eleven months, the volume of imports from all major suppliers of HIPS increased to Russia. Styrolution's shipments grew by 9% to 7,900 tonnes, compared to 7,300 tonnes a year earlier. Shipments of Hungarian Polimeri Europa material increased by 14% to 5,700 tonnes against 5,000 tonnes in the same period last year. Converters directly purchased 17,200 tonnes or 83% of the total GPPS imports in January-November 2017.
MRC