PE imports to Ukraine sank by 9% in January-July

MOSCOW (MRC)–Polyethylene (PE) imports into the Ukrainian market dropped 9% year on year in the first seven months of 2021, down by 9% year on year, according to the DataScope report.

The decrease in imports accounted for high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE).

Last month’s PE imports to Ukraine increased to 23,400 tonnes versus 18,500 tonnes in June, local companies increased their purchases of all PE grades.

Overall PE imports reached 145,200 tonnes in January-July 2021, compared to 159,500 tonnes a year earlier. HDPE and LDPE imports decreased, whereas imports of other PE grades increased.

The supply structure by PE grades looked the following way over the stated period.

July imports of HDPE into the country increased to 8,000 tonnes, compared with 6,600 tonnes in June, Ukrainian companies have increased their purchases of film and blow moulding PE.

Overall HDPE imports totalled about 47,700 tonnes in the first seven months of 2021 versus 61,000 tonnes a year earlier.

July imports of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) slightly exceeded 7,300 tonnes versus 5,000 tonnes a month earlier, Ukrainian companies raised their purchases in Belarus and Russia.

Overall LDPE imports reached 43,800 tonnes over the stated period, down by 7% year on year.

Last month’s imports of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) were about 6,400 tonnes, compared with 5,300 tonnes in June, shipments of film grade LLDPE from Saudi Arabia increased.

However, overall LLDPE imports reached 43,500 tonnes in the first seven months of 2021, equal the performance a year earlier.

Imports of other PE grades, including ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), totalled about 10,200 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 7,800 tonnes a year earlier.

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