MOSCOW (MRC) - Total imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) into Russia decreased to about 125,800 tonnes in the first ten months of 2016, down 21% compared to the same period of 2015. Reduction of imports was seen in all segments of consumption, the exception was the film and blow moulding polyethylene, according to survey DataScope of MRC analysts.
October imports of HDPE into Russia reduced to 12,800 tonnes, compared with 16,700 tonnes a month earlier, the main decline in purchases accounted for extrusion blow moulding PE, production of films and pipes. Total HDPE imports into Russia decreased to 125,800 tonnes in the first ten months of the year, compared with 158,800 tonnes in the same time a year earlier. The greatest reduction in external supplies recorded in the segment of pipe extrusion, and extrusion coating of steel pipes of large diameter, while import of film and blow moulding HDPE, on the contrary, has grown.
Structure of HDPE supply over the reported period looked as follows.
October imports of injection moulding PE grew to 3,500 tonnes from 3,300 tonnes a month earlier, the main increase in imports accounted for local producers of PET containers. Total imports of injection moulding HDPE in to the country were about 31,200 tonnes in the first ten months of the year, compared with 38,700 tonnes a year on year.
September imports of HDPE into the country remained practically at the August level at about 2,200 tonnes. Total HDPE for extrusion blow moulding imports into the country increased to 25,600 tonnes in January - October 2016, compared to 20,800 tonnes year on year.
October imports of film HDPE decreased to 2,900 tonnes against 3,900 tonnes a month earlier, the main decrease accounted for producers from Uzbekistan (local producers shut their capacities for the turnaround in October). Total imports of film HDPE into the country increased to 22,100 tonnes in January-October 2016, compared to 14,100 tonnes a year earlier.
October imports of pipe HDPE fell to 1,600 tonnes against 3,000 tonnes in September, Russian pipe producers decreased purchases of polyethylene in Asia. Russia's pipe HDPE imports in the first ten months of the year decreased to 19,000 tonnes, down 42% year on year. The main reasons for the fall in import volumes were increased domestic production and reduced the demand for pipes.
October imports of HDPE for extrusion coating of steel pipes of large diameter decreased to 1,600 tonnes, whereas the previous month this figure has not exceeded 2,900 tonnes. Imports of this type of polyethylene fell by 57% to 18,100 tonnes in the first ten months of this year, partly because of the growth of local production.
Russia's imports of HDPE in other consumption sectors decreased to 9,800 tonnes in the first ten months of the year compared with 10,900 tonnes year on year.
MRC