MOSCOW (MRC) -- The overall imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) totalled 103,700 tonnes over the first seven months of 2015, down by 33% year on year. Film grade and pipe grade polyethylene (PE) accounted for the greatest fall in imports, according to MRC DataScope report.
Russian companies increased their HDPE purchasing in foreign markets in July, the final figure was 18,800 tonnes versus 13,500 tonnes a month earlier. The overall HDPE imports were 103,700 tonnes from January to July 2015 versus 155,600 tonnes a year earlier. Imports decreased in all consumption sectors, except for the rotational moulding sector. At the same time, pipe and film grade PE accounted for with the largest decline in shipments.
The supply structure by the consumption sectors looks the following way over the stated period.
July imports of HDPE for extrusion coating of large diameter steel pipes dropped to 3,400 tonnes from 5,500 tonnes a month earlier. The overall imports of this PE grade decreased to 33,500 tonnes over the said period from 36,000 tonnes over the same period of 2014. The growth of domestic production of this PE grade at Metaclay was the reason.
Last month's imports of injection moulding HDPE rose to 4,100 tonnes from 2,900 tonnes in June partially because of the increased supplies from Uzbekistan. Imports of injection moulding PE totalled 27,200 tonnes from January to July 2015, down by 7% year on year.
July imports of HDPE for pipe extrusion more than tripled from June and totalled 6,600 tonnes. However, the overall imports of pipe grade PE to Russia were 15,700 tonnes over the first seven months of 2015 versus 42,900 tonnes a year earlier. A major fall in demand for finished products in the domestic market, high HDPE prices in foreign markets and a significant devaluation of the Russian rouble against the major world currencies were the key factors that led to lower imports.
Last month's imports of HDPE for extrusion blow moulding (EBM) grew to 2,000 tonnes from 1,600 tonnes a month earlier. The overall imports of this PE grade to Russia totalled 14,500 tonnes over the stated period versus 24,400 tonnes a year earlier.
July imports of film grade HDPE were just over 1,500 tonnes versus 1,100 tonnes in June. Imports of film grade HDPE slumped to 6,800 tonnes over the said period from 15,500 tonnes a year earlier.
The overall HDPE imports to other consumption sectors, including the cable extrusion products, totalled about 6,000 tonnes from January to July 2015 versus 7,400 tonnes in 2014.
MRC