MOSCOW (MRC) -- Overall polyethylene (PE) imports into the Ukrainian market reached 103,300 tonnes in the first five months of 2021, down by 8% year on year. Only high density polyethylene (HDPE) accounted for the decrease in imports, according to MRC's DataScope report.
Last month's PE imports to Ukraine were 19,800 tonnes versus 19,500 tonnes in April, local companies increased their purchases of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Thus, overall PE imports reached 103,300 tonnes in January-May 2021, compared to 112,700 tonnes a year earlier. These were mainly HDPE imports that decreased, whereas imports of other PE grades increased.
The structure of PE imports by grades looked the following way over the stated period.
Last month's HDPE imports were 6,600 tonnes, which corresponded to the April figure. Overall HDPE imports into the country totalled 33,100 tonnes in the first five months of 2021 versus 46,600 tonnes a year earlier.
May low density polyethylene (LDPE) imports were 5,400 tonnes versus 5,800 tonnes a month earlier, Ukrainian companies reduced their purchases in Russia. Overall LDPE imports reached 31,600 tonnes in January-May 2021, which corresponded to the last year's figure.
Last month's LLDPE imports were 6,000 tonnes, compared to 5,700 tonnes in April, shipments of film grade LLDPE from Russia increased. However, overall LLDPE imports reached 31,700 tonnes in the first five months of 2021, compared to 29,300 tonnes a year earlier.
Imports of other PE grades, including ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA), totalled 6,900 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 5,400 tonnes a year earlier.
MRC