MOSCOW (MRC) -- In March, imports of titanium dioxide (TiO2) to Russia increased by 53% year-on-year, according to MRC DataScope.
Last month, the total supply volumes of the imported material to Russia amounted to 8,760 tonnes.
All major suppliers of titanium dioxide to the country, such as Ukraine, the USA, China and Germany, accounted for the growth of import shipments.
According to customs statistics, in March 2013, imports of TiO2 for the production of paints and varnishes made 6,460 tonnes. About 1,700 tonnes of specialized grades of TiO2 for the production of rigid compounds were imported. About 600 tonnes of titanium oxide were imported for the production of paper, building materials, household chemicals and for other segments of pigment consumption.
According to market participants, one of the reasons for a rapid growth of imports is last year's low carry-over stocks of the material at Russian companies' warehouses. Meantime, at present traders do not see a surge of consumer activity in the domestic market.
In Q1 2013, imports of titanium dioxide to the Russian domestic market amounted to about 21,600 tonnes.
During the same period of last year Russian companies received by 28% less raw materials. Overall, over the said period of 2012, imports of titanium dioxide to Russia amounted to only 15,500 tonnes.
MRC