MOSCOW (MRC) -- Imports of polycarbonate (PC) to the Russian market rose over the first two months of 2014 by 3% year on year and totalled 7,700 tonnes, according to MRC DataScope.
Buying activity was stable in the market, despite an increase in domestic prices for imported PC because of the rouble depreciation. Demand has begun to grow seasonally since late February, which traditionally lasts until late May. The current import quantities have met market needs so far, and hence there were no grounds for their reduction.
The extrusion grade sector accounted for the most significant growth in consumer activity. Imports to this sector have risen since the beginning of the year. 5,300 tonnes of extrusion grade PC were shipped to Russia in January andFebruary, up by 11% year on year. Overall, this material accounted for about 70% in the total imports for the stated period.
The main consumption sector of extrusion grade PC is production of PC sheets for their further usage in construction and agriculture. To date, there is a wide range of PC granules for sheets extrusion: pure polycarbonate, PC with light-scattering fillers, PC with UV protection, PC reinforced by fiberglass or PC with nonflammable additives. Prices of the material vary depending on the filler.
Extrusion grades without fillers or with UV filter are the most popular among the domestic converters. Both Russian PC of Kazanorgsintez and European PC (Bayer, Sabic) are in demand.
MRC