First-half PE imports to Russia down by 7% year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Russia fell by 7% year on year in January-June, with high-density PE (HDPE) accounting for the main decrease, according to the MRC ScanPlast report.

June imports of polyethylene rose to 53,500 tonnes against 49,100 tonnes a month earlier, with the supply of low density polyethylene (LDPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) increased.

Overall PE imports totalled 328,000 tonnes in the first six months of 2020, compared to 350,900 tonnes a year earlier.

Only the supply of LDPE increased, while for other types of ethylene polymers there was a decrease in imports.

The structure of HDPE imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period:

June HDPE imports decreased to 19,300 tonnes from 22,100 tonnes a month earlier. Overall external supply of HDPE decreased to 147,400 tonnes in the first six months, down by 14% year on year. The largest decrease in supplies was due to film and pipe HDPE.

Last month’s imports of low density polyethylene (LDPE) exceeded 10,600 tonnes, compared to 8,500 tonnes in May, with shipments of film grade PE from Europe and Belarus increasing. Total imports of blow moulding HDPE in the country reached 51,400 tonnes in January-June, up 9% year on year.

June LLDPE imports into Russia increased to around 15,600 tonnes against 11,400 tonnes a month earlier, with local converters increasing their purchases of film PE. Overall LLDPE imports totalled 83,200 tonnes in the first six months of the year, down 5% year on year.

Last month, external deliveries of other ethylene polymers, including ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), amounted to 7,300 tonnes against 6,200 tonnes in May. The overall imports of other ethylene polymers exceeded 46,100 tonnes over the stated six-month period versus 45,200 tonnes a year earlier.

MRC, a partner of ICIS, produces polymers news and pricing reports from Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.