Imports of polycarbonate (PC) to Russia declined to 35,300 tonnes in the first ten months of year, down 10% year on year, according to MRC DataScope.

 

Importers said that this trend first of all resulted from the rouble devaluation.  That was why the domestic prices for imported PC significantly increased. Converters in their turn were faced with an extremely negative reaction of consumers when trying to raise the price for the finished products, as purchasing capacity has fallen. 

 

It became problematic to keep the minimum margin level both for traders and producers of sheets, bottles, injection moulding products. In case of further rouble devaluation some companies will not be able to continue their work. In the most difficult situations were importers of Asian PC. On the back of  the dollar strengthening the rouble has lost its positions less to the euro than to the dollar. Consequently, the domestic prices of European PC became lower than the Asian material.

 

Imports delivery were also under the pressure of domestic producer. In particular, in the extrusion sector, where only Russian PC producer Kazanorgsintez occupies about 65%. In addition, demand has seasonally weakened in the sector of sheet extrusion in the fourth quarter of the year, which also affected in the imports. 

 

Imports of PC has been declining not only in Russia but also in Europe. In particular, this refers to the Asian polymer. In the situation where the prices for Asian PC granules are close to the European price, converters often prefer the latter.