MOSCOW (MRC) -- Imports of polycarbonate (PC) to the Russian market totalled only 16,400 tonnes from January to August 2015, down by 35% year on year, according to MRC DataScope report.
The tendency to increase imports in July and August was caused by seasonal increase in demand in the market and the relative stabilization of the rouble. Thus, July PC imports rose by 71% from June and August imports - by 60% from July.
Demand for imported PC granules for sheet extrusion was only 12,000 tonnes over the stated period, down by 37% year on year. This was primarily caused by the devaluation of the ruble and the fall in the purchasing power of the population.
Sheets producers said the price of the PC sheet is often completely reflects the volatility of feedstock prices. The price of PC sheets grew almost twice compared to last autumn, whereas prices for building materials counterparts (shingles, sandwich panels, metal) rose by not more than 20%. This makes PC sheets less competitive and hinders the development of the whole market.
Speaking of the extrusion grade PC market, a description of the Russian PC market can be given as a whole, as this segment accounts for 80-85% of the total PC consumption. The injection moulding segment remained traditionally stable, although some players reported weaker demand because of the negative performance in the automotive industry. Imports of injection moulding PC totalled about 2,000 tonnes from January to August 2015, down by 22% year on year.
MRC