MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) into Russia grew in the first two months of 2016 by 3% year on year, totalling slighlty over 22,400 tonnes. Propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) accounted for the main increase in shipments, according to MRC DataScope report.
Russian companies increased their PP purchasing in foreign markets last month, total imports reached 11,400 tonnes versus 11,000 tons in January 2016. Overall, Russia imported 22,400 tonnes of PP in January - February versus 21,700 tonnes in the same period a year earlier. Homopolymer PP accounted for the main increase in supply, whereas Russian producers managed to reduce imports of statistical propylene copolymer (PP-random).
In general, the structure of PP imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
February imports of homopolymer PP decreased to 4,800 tonnes from 5,100 tonnes a month earlier. Local companies reduced their purchasing of injection moulding homopolymer PP in Europe. Overall imports of this PP grade rose to 9,900 tonnes in January - February 2016 from 8,400 tonnes a year earlier.
Last month's imports of propylene block copolymer (PP-block) were 2,400 tonnes versus 2,500 tonnes in January. Imports of PP-block into Russia grew to 4,900 tonnes over the first two months of the year, up by 6% year on year. Local pipes producers accounted for the main increase.
February imports of PP-random were 2,200 tonnes versus 1,700 tonnes in January. Overall imports of this PP grade dropped by 15% over the first two months of 2016 to 3,900 tonnes. The dependence of Russian producers in the BOPP films sector on imports is still strong, while Russian producers virtually reduced to zero their purchasing of PP-random for the pipes production (due to the growth of its own output).
Imports of other propylene polymers totalled 3,700 tonnes over the stated period versus 4,100 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC