Polypropylene imports to Russia in January decreased twice

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Import supplies of PP to the Russian market in January reduced more than twice and made 13.3 KT, according to MRC DataScope.

Expectedly serious reduction of supplies fell at raffia from Turkmenistan and Ukraine. In the first case the import supplies last month fell down to 3.9 KT while in December this parameter made more than 9 KT. In the second case in terms of limited production of injected PP-homo by the Russian producers, companies counted on purchasing of injection-molded grades in Ukraine.
Now the Russian market of raffia is surplus. The supplies to the domestic market from the Russian producers are more than efficient despite non-considerable production problems at some enterprises. Market demand for raffia is still not high which is traditional for February. The prices from the beginning of the year grew up to the level of 58.600 - 59.500 RUB./t, including VAT, FCA.

Expectedly in January the supplies of pipe propylene co-polymers from South Korea as well as from Europe reduced more than twice. Also the imports of injection-molded copolymers of propylene reduced after December peak. In February a considerable swing in imports is not expected, according to preliminary data, PP supplies form the external suppliers will grow not more than by 20%.

MRC

MOSCOW (MRC) -- Import supplies of pipe HDPE to the Russian market in January reduced by 25% compared to December and made 4.6 KT, according to MRC analysts.

Starting from October, the period of peak material supplies, the Russian companies have been systematically reducing the import supplies of pipe HDPE. In January overall imports of the pipe material fell to the level of 4.6 KT. Actually 7 companies now continue purchasing of pipe material in the external markets.

Now the Russian market doesn't face the problems with the availability of pipe materials. The Russian pipe colored PE100 is being supplied to the market notwithstanding some problems. Also the non-colored analogues are available in sufficient volumes.

The correction of prices for the Russian pipe PE is gradually continuing. By mid-February the price offer for the Russian colored PE80 and PE100 in the spot market has been fixed within the range of 62.500 - 64.500 RUB./t, including VAT, FCA.

The price for imported PE100 is significantly higher and it starts, on average, from 70.000 RUB./t, including VAT, СРТ. Some Asian suppliers of pipe HDPE have declared the growth of prices for March polymer shipment on average by USD 60/mt. The prices are expected to grow for the European PE by EUR 40-50/mt in March.

MRC

(ICIS) -- US ethylene offers shot up on Tuesday afternoon following the fire at an Enterprise Products natural gas liquids (NGL) complex in Mont Belvieu, Texas, sources said. Ethylene for February was offered at 49.00 cents/lb, up from 45.50 cents/lb in the morning.

Meanwhile, bids for February rose to 46.50 cents/lb from 44.00 cents/lb. Ethylene traded at 44.25-46.00 cents/lb on Monday.

The fire at Enterprise was forcing some crackers to run at reduced rates because of constraints on ethane supply, a market participant said. The fire erupted at about 12:30 hours Houston time following explosions at the facility, which were still continuing on Tuesday afternoon, local news reports said.

An official with the Mont Belvieu Police Department said that no orders for evacuation or shelter-in-place had been issued, adding that the department was unaware of any injuries. However, market sources said one contractor was still unaccounted for as of 13:30 hours Houston time (19:30 GMT).

Enterprise Products confirmed that report, according to Houston CBS television affiliate KHOU. The station also said witnesses reported seeing workers fleeing from the plant. Meanwhile, other workers were being told to stay inside, KHOU reported.

The storage facilities, which Enterprise acquired in 2001, consist of 30 salt-dome caverns with a total capacity of 77m bbl, according to the company's website.

MRC