MOSCOW (MRC) -- Polyethylene (PE) imports into the Ukrainian market rose in the first eight months of 2020 by 2% year on year to 182,300 tonnes. Imports of all PE grades increased, with linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) being the exception, according to MRC's DataScope report.
Last month's PE imports to Ukraine were slightly less than 23,800 tonnes, compared to 23,100 tonnes in July, local companies reduced their purchases of high density polyethylene (HDPE) because of higher prices in foreign markets. Thus, overall PE imports reached 182,300 tonnes in January-August 2020, compared to 178,400 tonnes a year earlier. Imports of all grades of ethylene polymers increased, with LLDPE, demand for which subsided in all consumption sectors, being the only exception.
The supply structure by PE grades looked the following way over the stated period.
Last month's HDPE imports reached 5,600 tonnes versus 6,600 tonnes in July, Ukrainian companies reduced their PE purchases because of high prices in foreign markets and weaker demand. Overall HDPE imports exceeded 66,500 tonnes in the eight months of 2020 versus 63,800 tonnes a year earlier.
August imports of low density polyethylene (LDPE) were slightly over 7,300 tonnes versus 7,900 tonnes a month earlier, producers from Azerbaijan and Russia reduced their export sales. Overall LDPE imports reached 54,500 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 52,200 tonnes a year earlier.
Last month's imports of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) were about 8,300 tonnes, compared to 7,100 tonnes in June, shipments of film grade LLDPE increased. Overall LLDPE imports reached 51,900 tonnes in January-August 2020, compared to 54,000 tonnes a year earlier.
Imports of other PE grades, including ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), totalled about 9,400 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 8,400 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC