MOSCOW (MRC) - Russia's imports of titanium dioxide decreased by 18% in January-March 2016, compared with the same time a year ago, according to MRC DataScope.
Total imports, excluding shipments from Crimean Titan, in the first quarter amounted to 9,300 tonnes. Despite the general reduction of import shipments, it should be noted the growth of the volume of imports from DuPont. Imports of DuPont's titanium dioxide into Russia reached 3,500 tonnes in the first quarter of 2016, up more than twofold compared with the same time a year earlier.
At the same time TiO2 imports from such large suppliers like Kronos and Sachtleben Chemie have decreased.
In addition, since the end of last year, there were no TiO2 deliveries from Ukrainian producer Sumykhimprom.
Traditionally, the largest consumer of titanium dioxide in Russia is the sector of paints. Imports of TiO2 for paints production decreased by 12% over the stated period and were 7,200 tonnes.
PVC converters decreased TiO2 imports to 1,800 tonnes in Jan-Mar, down 28% year on year.
A significant drop in imports was seen in the paper sector. Deliveries of imported brands by paper producers fell by more than six times.
Producers of paper switched to the Crimean grade of titanium dioxide, said a source in the market.
Demand for imported TiO2 remained quite steady in the sector of household chemicals and cosmetics (imports amounted to 185 tonnes in the first quarter).
MRC