MOSCOW (MRC) -- Ukraine's polypropylene (PP) imports totalled about 132,000 tonnes in 2019, which practically corresponded to the 2018 figure. At the same time, it is worth noting that an increase in deliveries was noted only for PP block copolymers, according to a DataScope report.
December PP imports into Ukraine dropped to 8,600 tonnes from 11,100 tonnes a month earlier, local companies reduced their purchasing of homopolymer of propylene (homopolymer PP) in the Middle East because of a shortage in the domestic market. Overall PP imports reached 132,000 tonnes in 2019 versus 132,300 tonnes a year earlier. The increase in imports accounted for PP block copolymers, while the demand for other propylene polymers remained at the level of 2018.
The structure of PP imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
December imports of homopolymer PP to the Ukrainian market fell due to lower purchases in the Middle East under the pressure of surplus in the domestic market and amounted to about 6,300 tonnes against 8,300 tonnes a month earlier. Last year's homopolymer PP imports exceeded 100,200 tonnes, compared to 100,600 tonnes a year earlier.
Last month's imports of block propylene copolymers (PP block copolymers) were 925 tonnes, compared to 1,000 tonnes in November. Imports of PP block copolymers into the country were about 14,000 tonnes in January-December, compared with 13,400 tonnes year on year.
December imports of PP random copolymers fell to 1,300 tonnes compared to 1,600 tonnes a month due to lower demand for pipe polypropylene. Overall PP random copolymers imports reached 16,000 tonnes over the stated period, which corresponded to the last year's figure. Total imports of other propylene copolymers over the reporting period were about 1,900 tonnes, compared with 2,400 tonnes in the same time a year earlier.
MRC