MOSCOW (MRC) -- Consumption of polycarbonate (PC) in the Russian market totalled about 50,000 tonnes, down by 17% year on year, according to MRC ScanPlast report.
The sheet extrusion segment, which occupies more than 80% of the total PC market, accounted for the main fall in the estimated consumption of PC granules. Thus, demand for extrusion grade PC decreased from January to July 2015 by 22% year on year and totalled only 40,400 tonnes. At the same time, consumption of imported material slumped by more than two-fold, which was caused by lower shipments of the major suppliers (Sabic Innovative Plastics, Bayer), the devaluation and reduced purchasing power.
If consumption in the injection moulding segment is considered, then, according to estimates, the figures increased to 8,600 tonnes from 6,700 tonnes last year. The reduction of the automotive industry and weaker interest from buyers to purchase home appliances were virtually the main reasons for lower consumption. Higher estimates were the result of the absence of exports and stockpiling of Russian PC at the traders' warehouses.
There has been an acute shortage in the bottle grade PC segment since spring because of lower shipments of Asian PC. However, new quantities of Sabic Innovative Plastics' material started to enter the market in June and July, which made the converters' life somewhat easier. In addition, this producer's PC granules are more affordable by price than Asian material. Consumption in this sector fell by 31% over the stated period and totalled only 981 tonnes.
July is a month of an off-season slowdown in the PC market, especially, in the extrusion grade PC market. However, buyers still continued to purchase the remnants of greenhouse sheets of 4 mm and 6 mm thickness for various household needs. Producers said they expect demand for sheets of 8 mm, 10 mm or more thickness =from the construction industry to become stronger from late August.
MRC