MOSCOW (MRC) -- Polyethylene (PE) imports to Russia decreased in January-November 2020 by 17% year on year and reached 569,900 tonnes. High density polyethylene (HDPE) accounted for the greatest reduction in imports, according to MRC's DataScope report.
November PE imports dropped to 44,400 tonnes from 50,500 tonnes a month earlier, shipments of low density polyethylene (LDPE) an linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) increased. Overall imports of ethylene polymers totalled 569,900 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2020, compared to 688,700 tonnes a year earlier. All ethylene polymers accounted for lower imports, with LDPE and other ethylene polymers being the exception.
The structure of PE imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
November HDPE imports fell to 15,100 tonnes from 19,300 tonnes a month earlier, shipments of injection moulding and film grade PE from Central Asia decreased. Overall imports of this PE grade totalled 237,000 tonnes in January-November 2020, down by 31% year on year. Film grade and pipe grade HDPE accounted for the main reduction in shipments.
Last month's LDPE imports did not exceed 10,000 tonnes, which virtually corresponded to the figure of October. Overall LDPE imports to Russia reached 103,200 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2020, up by 5% year on year.
November LLDPE imports reached 10,200 tonnes, compared to 11,200 tonnes a month earlier, local producers of compounds and large items by rotational moulding increased their purchases in foreign markets. Overall LLDPE imports totalled 139,600 tonnes in January-November 2020, down by 15% year on year.
Last month's imports of other ethylene polymers, including ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), were 9,100 tonnes, compared to 10,100 tonnes in October. Overall imports of other ethylene polymers reached 90,200 tonnes over the stated period versus 85,200 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC