MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) to Russia rose in the first quarter of 2020 by 4% year on year to 11,700 tonnes, according to MRC's DataScope report.
This figure was at 11,300 tonnes in January-March 2019.
At the same time, last month's GPPS and HIPS imports to the Russian market dropped slightly to 3,600 tonnes from 3,800 tonnes a month earlier. Imports of material into the country were 5,400 tonnes in March 2019.
GPPS imports to Russia grew in January-March 2020 by 15% year on year, totalling 7,700 tonnes. Russian companies reduced their imports of material by 37% last month: from 3,400 tonnes in March 2019 to 2,200 tonnes, imports were 2,600 tonnes a month earlier.
March HIPS imports were 1,420 tonnes versus 1,980 tonnes a year earlier and 1,160 tonnes in February 2020. Imports of material dropped in the first quarter of 2020 by 13% year on year to 4,000 tonnes.
European material of Styrolution and Versalis accounted for about 90% of HIPS shipments and 86% of GPPS deliveries.
MRC