According to the results of the first three months of the year, the total volume of imports of polyethylene (PE) to Ukraine decreased by 5% compared to the same indicator in 2016 and amounted to 59.3 thousand tons. The demand for high-density polyethylene (LDPE) and low-density polyethylene (HDPE) has decreased, according to a report by DataScope of the company MRC.

In March, external supplies of PE to Ukraine, contrary to the experience of previous years, fell to 19.5 thousand tons against 21.5 thousand tons a month earlier. Local companies have reduced purchases of LDPE and linear polyethylene (LLDPE). Overall, in January-March, the total volume of external supplies of polyethylene reached 59.3 thousand tons against 62.6 thousand tons in the same period in 2016, only LDL and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) increased.

The structure of supplies by types of PE for the period under review is as follows.

Last month, an increase in the import of low-pressure polyethylene into the Ukrainian market was recorded, despite the low demand in some processing segments, the final figure was about 9 thousand tons against 6.8 thousand tons in February. Local companies went on to increase the purchase of film and tubular HDPE. In general, following the results of the first quarter, the total volume of imports of HDPE exceeded 24 thousand tons against 30 thousand tons a year earlier, supplies of film HDPE decreased by almost a third, the demand for polyethylene in the injection molding segment decreased by 20%.

The March indicator of high-pressure polyethylene imports decreased to 4.5 thousand tons against 6.6 thousand tons a month earlier, the main reason for the reduction in supplies was a serious cut in export quotas on the part of Russian and Middle Eastern producers. During the period under review, the total volume of imports of LDPE exceeded 16.3 thousand tons, which is 8% less than in 2016.

Last month, external deliveries of linear polyethylene amounted to 4,1 thousand tons against 6,7 thousand tons in February, volumes of supplies of film PE were almost halved. In general, in January-March imports of LDL increased to 14.9 thousand tons against 12.8 thousand tons a year earlier. The main increase in demand was provided by manufacturers of film products and cable-conductor products.

Import of other types of polyethylene, including EVA, for the period under review amounted to 4.1 thousand tons against 2 thousand tons a year earlier.