MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) into Belarus grew in the first seven months of 2018 by 7.5% year on year, totalling slightly over 58,300 tonnes. Demand increased for all grades of propylene polymers, according to MRC's DataScope report.
July PP imports into Belarus were 8,800 tonnes, compared to 8,400 tonnes a month earlier, local companies raised their purchasing of injection moulding propylene copolymers in Russia. Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 58,300 tonnes in January-July 2018, compared to 54,200 tonnes a year earlier, with propylene copolymers accounting for the greatest increase in demand.
The supply structure by PP grades looked the following way over the stated period.
July imports of homopolymers of propylene (homopolymer PP) to the Belarusian market dropped to 5,700 tonnes from 6,000 tonnes a month earlier, local companies reduced their purchases of homopolymer PP raffia in Russia. Overall imports of homopolymer PP reached 39,300 tonnes in the first seven months of 2018, up by 5.6% year on year. Russian producers with the share of about 89% of the total shipments were the key suppliers.
July imports of propylene copolymers to Belarus were 3,100 tonnes versus 2,300 tonnes a month earlier, local companies increased their procurement of injection moulding statistical copolymers (PP random copolymers) in Russia. Thus, overall imports of propylene copolymers reached 19,000 tonnes in January-July 2018, whereas this figure was 17,000 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC