Local companies continued the policy of import substitution, increasing purchases of Russian EPS. Largest importer of EPS in the Russian market continued to be China. However, despite the general decline in imports, shipments of Chinese EPS to Russia rose to 17,500 tonnes in January-June 2014, compared with 13,800 tonnes in the same time in 2013. 

 

The main supplier of Chinese EPS remained Loyal, most popular Loyal's brands in the Russian market were F-MS and F-SA. At the same time, Russian producers reported a good demand for the reporting period.

 

Given strong demand in the domestic market, SIBUR even had to refrain from the sale of EPS in foreign markets. Because of the shortage of Russian EPS local converters and traders had to increase purchases in foreign markets in the second quarter of this year.

 

Russia's imports have risen for the fourth month in a row. Russia's EPS imports grew to 8,200 tonnes in June, up 19% year on year.