The Ukrainian polycarbonate (PC) market remained stable from January to October 2014 compared to last year, it totalled 3,600 tonnes, according to MRC DataScope.

 

Despite the devaluation of the national currency and higher domestic PC prices, the market managed to retain the previous consumption volumes. Converters said most contracts with the neighboring countries were still valid, despite the political and economic crisis in the region. This is mainly true for the injection moulding sector. Export shipments of injection moulding PC remained unchanged.

 

Traders also said new small converters that are domestically oriented had appeared in the injection moulding sector. They are given more attractive prices for PC shipments to facilitate the market entry.

 

Most traders were still working on prepayment basis. Settlements with buyers were done at the current interbank exchange rate at the time of payment. Payments to suppliers of material were often effected upon the receipt of payment from customers at the same exchange rate. Importers said it became somewhat easier to get the required amount of the foreign currency to repay debts.

 

The Ukrainian PC market completely depends on imports. Most supplies are made from the European region. Due to the instability of the national currency, PC prices are more dependent on the hryvnya exchange rate than on such traditional factors, as buying activity, seasonality, demand in the finished products market.