Polypropylene imports into Russia slumped 41%

Polypropylene (PP) imports into Russia slumped 41% in the first month of 2019 to 8,500 tonnes, with propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) accounting for the greatest decrease, according to MRC’s DataScope report.

Russian companies reduced PP imports in January under pressure from seasonal factors and because of the absence of alternatives. Shipments of homopolymer PP from central Asia decreased significantly. Overall, 192,300 tonnes of propylene polymers were imported to Russia in 2018.

January homopolymer PP imports fell to 1,900 tonnes from 5,000 tonnes in January 2018 and 7,500 tonnes last December, whereas homopolymer PP raffia shipments from Turkmenistan decreased by several times because of the absence of export offers from local producers. Overall imports of this PP grade reached 68,800 tonnes in 2018.

Last month’s imports of block copolymers of propylene (PP block copolymers) were 2,500 tonnes, compared to 3,800 tonnes in January 2018 and 3,900 tonnes in December 2018, as demand for pipe grade PP subsided. Overall imports of PP block copolymers to Russia rose 47,100 tonnes in 2018.

Imports of stat-copolymers of propylene (PP random copolymer) dropped to 1,600 tonnes in January 2019 from 2,700 tonnes in January 2018 and 3,800 tonnes last December, demand for pipe grade PP subsided significantly from Russian companies under the pressure of seasonal factors. Overall imports of this grade of propylene copolymers totalled 36,300 tonnes in 2018.

Imports of other propylene polymers totalled 2,400 tonnes over the stated period, compared to 3,100 tonnes in January 2018 and 3,300 tonnes last December.

Source: www.icis.com