MOSCOW (MRC) -- Imports of polyethylene (PE) into the Ukrainian market dropped in the first eleven months of 2018 by 2% year on year to 222,100 tonnes. At the same time, only the high density polyethylene (HDPE) segment accounted for a reduction in imports, according to MRC's DataScope report.
Last month's PE imports to Ukraine rose to 21,900 tonnes from 21,100 tonnes in October, with low density polyethylene (LDPE) accounting for a slight increase in imports. Overall PE imports reached 222,100 tonnes in January-November 2018, compared to 225,800 tonnes a year earlier. HDPE imports decreased, whereas demand for other ethylene polymers increased noticeably.
The structure of PE imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
Last month's HDPE imports fell to 7,300 tonnes from 8,200 in October, with injection moulding and pipe grade PE accounting for the reduction in shipments. Overall HDPE imports reached 70,300 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2018, compared to 89,400 tonnes a year earlier. Fim grade and pipe grade HDPE accounted for the greatest decrease in imports, which was 55% and 14%, respectively.
November LDPE imports grew to 6,400 tonnes from 5,600 tonnes a month earlier, local companies increased their purchases of LDPE in Russia. Overall LDPE imports reached 69,000 tonnes over the stated period, up by 12% year on year.
Last month's imports of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) were 6,600 tonnes versus 6,200 tonnes in October, local producers of film products raised their purchasing. Overall LLDPE imports rose to 68,300 tonnes in January-November 2018 versus 60,600 tonnes a year earlier. Local films producers accounted for the main increase in imports.
Imports of other PE grades, including ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), totalled 14,500 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 14,200 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC