PE imports to Kazakhstan up 18% in January-May 2020

MOSCOW (MRC)–Imports of polyethylene (PE) into Kazakhstan increased to about 73,800 tonnes in January-May 2020, up 18%  compared with the same time a year earlier, according to MRC analysts.

Demand for high density polyethylene (HDPE) drove the increase, according to MRC DataScope.

More than 16,000 tonnes of PE were imported into Kazakhstan in May, compared to 13,400 tonnes a month earlier.

PE imports were 73,800 tonnes in January-May of this year, compared with 62,300 tonnes in the same time a year earlier.

HDPE and LLDPE imports increased significantly, whereas imports of low density polyethylene (LDPE) decreased.

May imports of LDPE to Kazakhstan increased to 13,600 tonnes, compared with 11,300 tonnes in April, with Russian material accounting for the bulk of purchases. Overall HDPE imports totalled 60,800 tonnes in the first five months of 2020, up by 28% year on year.

May LDPE imports decreased to 1,400 tonnes, compared with 1,500 tonnes in April. Overall LDPE imports exceeded 8,200 tonnes over the stated period, down by 19% year on year.

May imports of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) to Kazakhstan exceeded to 1,000 tonnes from 600 tonnes a month earlier. Overall output of these products exceeded 4,800 tonnes in January-May 2020, up by 3% year on year.

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