PE Jan-Sept imports to Kazakhstan up by 12% year on year

MOSCOW (MRC)–Polyethylene (PE) imports into Kazakhstan rose in the first nine months by 12% year on year, with high density polyethylene (HDPE) accounting for the greatest increase in shipments, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

September PE imports to Kazakhstan reached 12,200 tonnes versus 17,700 tonnes a month earlier, with local companies reducing their purchases in Russia and Uzbekistan because of restrictions from local producers.

Overall PE imports totalled 139,300 tonnes in the first nine months of 2020, compared to 124,100 tonnes in the same period a year earlier.

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

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

September HDPE imports fell to 9,800 tonnes from 14,700 tonnes, with Russian and Uzbek producers significantly restricting their export sales.

Overall HDPE imports totalled 115,200 tonnes in the first nine months, up by 19% year on year.

September LDPE imports dropped to 900 tonnes from 1,300 tonnes in August, with several Russian producers simultaneously reducing their shipments because of scheduled turnarounds.

Overall LDPE imports reached 14,100 tonnes over the stated period, down by 22% year on year.

September linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) imports reached 1,500 tonnes versus 1,700 tonnes a month earlier.

Overall LLDPE imports reached 10,000 tonnes in January-September, up by 7% year on year.

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