MOSCOW (MRC) -- Polypropylene (PP) imports to Russia rose in the first five months of 2020 by 15% year on year, totalling 85,300 tonnes. Propylene homopolymers (homopolymer PP) accounted for the main increase in imports, according to MRC's DataScope report.
In May, Russian companies further reduced their purchasing of PP in foreign markets partially because of the quarantine restrictions and weaker demand, imports were 14,200 tonnes versus 17,500 tonnes a month earlier. Thus, overall PP imports into Russia reached 85,300 tonnes in January-May 2020, compared to 74,200 tonnes a year earlier. The volume of purchasing of all grades of propylene polymers in foreign markets increased, with imports of homopolymer PP accounting for the most noticeable increase.
The overall structure of PP imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
May imports of homopolymer PP were 4,900 tonnes versus 6,700 tonnes a month earlier, shipments of injection moulding homopolymer PP from Azerbaijan slumped. Thus, overall imports of homopolymer PP totalled 34,000 tonnes in the first five months of 2020, compared to 25,300 tonnes a year earlier.
Last month's imports of propylene block-copolymers (PP block copolymers) were 3,500 tonnes versus 5,400 tonnes in April, demand for pipe grade PP decreased from Russian companies. Imports of PP block copolymers into Russia reached 23,600 tonnes in January-May 2020, compared to 21,300 tonnes a year earlier.
May imports of statistical copolymers of propylene (PP random copolymer) grew to 3,800 tonnes from 2,700 tonnes a month earlier, with pipes producers accounting for the main increase in shipments due to very low prices in Europe. Overall imports of this grade of propylene copolymers were 14,600 tonnes in January-May 2020, compared to 13,100 tonnes a year earlier.
Imports of other propylene polymers totalled 13,100 tonnes over the stated period versus 14,400 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC