Moscow (MRC) - Russian companies have cut imports of polystyrene (PS) and increase purchases in the domestic market. The largest drop in demand for imported PS was seen in the market of expandable polystyrene (EPS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS). While import volumes of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) have significantly increased, as per MRC DataScope report.
Russia's imports of PS decreased to 13,400 tonnes in January-February 2016, down 5% year on year. Imports of EPS in Russia seasonally decrease in January and February. However, this year the decline in demand has affected the imports, while demand for domestic material was relatively stable.
Russia's imports of EPS in the first two months fell twofold to 2,000 tonnes. A significant decline in demand showed importers of high impact polystyrene.
Imports of HIPS in to Russia dropped by 46% in Jan-Feb 2016 and totalled 1,760 tonnes. A significant decline in demand for imported HIPS showed large producers of electrical goods, as well as producers of refrigerators.
At the same time demand for imported GPPS has improved. Deliveries of GPPS increased by 2.3 times. Market players said that it was a result of stronger demand from the sector of the XPS-boards and electronics. However, the imports for food packaging significantly declined, market sources added.
Russia's imports of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) decreased to 3,000 tonnes in January-February 2016, down 13% year on year.
MRC