MOSCOW (MRC) -- Polypropylene (PP) imports into Russia slumped in the first month of 2019 by 18% year on year to 23,800 tonnes.
Propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) accounted for the greatest decrease, as per MRC's DataScope report.
February imports of homopolymer PP into the country grew to 15,200 tonnes, compared with 8,500 tonnes in January. The deliveries of propylene homopolymers from Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan have increased by several times. In general, total PP imports into the country increased to about 23,800 tonnes in January - February compared with 29,000 tonnes year on year. Imports of homopolymer PP decreased most of all.
Overall, the structure of PP imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
February imports of homopolymer PP increased to 5,000 tonnes against 1,900 tonnes a month earlier, shipments of homopolymer PP raffia from Turkmenistan increased several times. A new plant in Azerbaijan began shipments of PP. Thus, overall imports of homopolymer PP to Russia totalled about 6,900 tonnes in the first two months of 2019, compared to 9,600 tonnes a year earlier.
February imports of PP block copolymers in Russia were about 4,300 tonnes against 2,500 tonnes in January on increased demand for pipe PP several times. Imports of PP block copolymers into Russia reached 6,800 tonnes in January-February 2019, compared to 7,100 tonnes a year earlier.
February imports of PP random copolymers were about 2,800 tonnes versus 1,600 tonnes a month earlier, the volume of purchases increased by local producers of film products.
Total imports of PP random copolymers in Russia were 4,400 tonnes in January - February 2019, compared with 5,200 tonnes year on year.
Imports of other propylene polymers for the reported period increased to about 5,600 tonnes compared with 7,100 tonnes in the same time a year earlier.
MRC