MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in the Russian domestic market increased to 128,000 tonnes in the first half of the year, up 40% compared with the same time a year earlier, according to ICIS-MRC Price Report.
The lion's share of shipments occurred for Chinese producers. Russia's imports of Chinese PET increased to 98.000 tonnes in January-June 2014, up by 46,500 tonnes year on year.
Russia's imports of Korean PET decreased to 11,900 tonnes in the reported period, down 12,500 tonnes year on year.
June imports of PET in Russia decreased to 20,500 tonnes, down 2,000 tonnes, compared with May level.
Converters said they planned to switch to imported PET purchases back in the beginning of 2014. The main reason of the purchases of Chinese PET chips was lower prices of the material.
However, it was expected that the growth of the capacity utilisation and stable operation of Polief and other Russian plants would help to reduce purchases of PET in foreign markets.
MRC