MOSCOW (MRC) - Imports of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) in Russia amounted to 26,600 tonnes, up 37% than in 2015, as per MRC Annual Report "Polystyrene in Russia in 2016".
The largest imported GPPS volumes accounted for Styrolution. Imports of GPPS from Styrolution into the country were 16,600 tonnes in 2016.
Russian companies imported 14,700 tonnes of general purpose polystyrene by Styrolution production.
The second place in Russia's GPPS imports took Polimeri Europa. Imports of GPPS by Polimeri Europa production in 2016 was 2,600 tonnes, which was more than twice than a year earlier.
The third largest supplier was a Chinese producer Qingdao Haier New Material, with 1,540 tonnes of GPPS imported in 2016. At the same time in 2015, the producer did not carry out exports into Russia.
The greatest demand in the consumption of imported brands by sectors accounted for GPPS, used in the production of thermal protection.
Volumes of consumption of imported GPPS by construction sector in 2016 amounted to 12,300 tonnes against 7,300 tonnes in 2015.
At the same time demand for the brands in the sector of packaging and disposable tableware decreased. Imports of this brands into the country were 6,300 tonnes, compared with 7,300 tonnes in 2015.
Imports GPPS for the production of electrical machinery rose to 7,200 tonnes in 2016 against 4,180 tonnes a year earlier. The depreciation of the euro against the dollar and the general strengthening of the ruble could lead to a change in the geography of imports and increase purchases of polystyrene in Europe, according to converters.
According to several importers, today imports from Europe are cheaper than Asian material, while logistics is also significantly shorter.
In this connection part of the traders and converters plan to increase the volume of purchases in Europe beginning of this year.
MRC