MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Ukraine increased to 120,500 tonnes in the first six months of 2018, up 2% compared to the same period of 2017. At the same time, a decrease in imports was seen in the segment of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), according to the DataScope.
Last month's PE imports decreased to 20,100 tonnes from 23,900 tons in May, local companies decreased their purchasing of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Total PE production in Ukraine reached 120,500 tonnes in January-June 2018 against 122,700 tonnes year on year. Imports of HDPE and EVA decreased, whule demand for other ethylene polymers increased.
The supply structure by PE grades looked the following way over the stated period.
Ukraine’s HDPE imports decreased in June; decrease in supplies accounted for polyethylene for the production of caps for plastic bottles and film HDPE. June HDPE imports into the country were about 6,100 tonnes in January-June, compared with 7,200 tonnes in May. Overall HDPE imports reached 37,200 tonnes in the first six months of 2018, compared to 52,800 tonnes a year earlier.
Film grade HDPE accounted for the greatest reduction in imports (-60%), which was caused by the resumption of the local production. June imports of low density polyethylene (LDPE) grew to 7,900 tonnes from 7,100 tonnes a month earlier, local companies increased their purchases of LDPE in Russia. Overall LDPE imports reached 39,400 tonnes over the stated period, up by 27% year on year.
June imports of LLDPE into the country decreased to 4,900 tonnes, compared with 8,200 tonnes in May. on a stronger purchases from local producers of stretch films. In general, January - June LLDPE imports into Ukraine increased to 36,900 tonnes compared with 31,100 tonnes year on year. The main increase in demand occurred for the local producers of the film production.
Imports of other grades of polyethylene, including EVA for the period under review reached about 7,000 tonnes against 7,600 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC