MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) to Belarus rose in the first ten months of 2019 by 8.6% year on year, totalling about 90,000 tonnes. All grades of propylene polymers accounted for the increase in demand, according to a MRC's DataScope report.
PP imports to Belarus were about 8,500 tonnes in October 2019, compared to 8,000 tonnes a month earlier, local companies raised their purchasing of PP in Russia. Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 90,000 tonnes in January-October 2019, compared to 82,900 tonnes a year earlier, demand increased for all PP grades, with propylene copolymers accounting for the greatest rise.
The supply structure by PP grades looked the following way over the stated period.
October imports of propylene homopolymers (homopolymer PP) reached 5,600 tonnes, compared to 5,200 tonnes a month earlier, purchasing of homopolymer PP in Russia increased after September restrictions because of shutdowns for maintenance at some local plants. Overall imports of homopolymer PP reached 60,300 tonnes in January-October 2019, up by 5.4% year on year. Russian producers with the share of about 86% of the total shipments were the key suppliers.
October imports of propylene copolymers to Belarus were 2,900 tonnes versus 2,800 tonnes a month earlier, local companies increased their procurement of injection moulding block-copolymers of propylene (PP block copolymer) from Russian producers. Thus, overall imports of propylene copolymers reached 29,700 tonnes over the stated period, up by 15.6% year on year.
MRC