MOSCOW (MRC) -- Imports of high density polyethylene (HDPE) to the Russian market rose by 3% over the first eleven months of 2014. September, a month of shutdowns for maintenance at Tatarstan plants, accounted for the peak imports, after which imports began gradually to decline, according to MRC DataScope report.

 

September accounted for the peak HDPE imports, when Tatarstan producers - Kazanorgsintez and Nizhnekamskneftekhim - shut down their production for scheduled maintenance works. Imports began to decrease since October and totalled just over 21,000 tonnes in November (28,600 tonnes in October). The overall imports of this polyethylene (PE) grade to Russia increased to 275,500 tonnes from January to November 2014 versus 266,900 tonnes a year earlier. Extrusion blow moulding HDPE accounted for the largest increase in imports.

 

The supply structure by consumption sectors looks the following way over the stated period.

 

Last month"s pipe grade HDPE imports fell to 5,200 tonnes under the pressure of seasonal factors from 7,400 tonnes in October. The overall imports of pipe grade PE to Russia totalled 78,800 tonnes over the first eleven months of 2014, up by 23% year on year.

 

November imports of HDPE for extrusion coating of large-diameter steel pipes virtually remained at the level of October and totalled 5,500 tonnes. PE shipments into this processing sector decreased by 20% over the said period and reached 54,400 tonnes. Lower imports of this  HDPE grade were caused by the increased domestic production among other reasons (Metakley launched a similar PE production in the middle of 2014). Nizhnekamskneftekhim also intends to enter this segment.

 

Last month"s imports of blow moulding HDPE fell almost two-fold in comparison with October and were 3,300 tonnes. The fall in imports was caused by both seasonal factors and increased shipments of Russian producers, particularly, of Kazanorgsintez. The overall imports of this PE grade surged by 40% from January to November 2014 to 49,300 tonnes.

 

November imports of injection moulding HDPE remained at the level of October and were 3,600 tonnes. Imports of this HDPE grade to Russia rose by only 3% over the first eleven months of the year and totalled about 43,000 tonnes.

 

September accounted for the peak film grade HDPE imports - 7,800 tonnes, and then shipments began to rapidly decline. Last month"s figure dropped to 2,000 tonnes (4,600 tonnes in October). Film grade PE imports were 36,800 tonnes over the said period, down by 15% year on year.

 

HDPE imports to other sectors of consumption (cable extrusion, rotational moulding, etc.) dropped to 13,000 tonnes from 14,800 tonnes a year earlier.