Ukrainian imports of polyethylene in the first quarter remained at the level of 2017

According to the results of the first three months of the year, the total volume of polyethylene imports to the Ukrainian market actually remained at the level of the same indicator of 2017 and amounted to about 59.1 thousand tons. At the same time, a decrease in imports was recorded in the segment of low-density polyethylene (HDPE) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), according to the DataScope.

Last month, external deliveries of polyethylene to Ukraine fell to 17.9 against 20.6 thousand tons in February, local companies went for a serious reduction in the volume of purchases of HDPE. In general, in January-March 2018, the total volume of external deliveries of polyethylene reached 59.1 thousand tons against 59.2 thousand tons a year earlier, the import of HDPE decreased due to the growth of own production, and the need for EVA decreased. Supplies of other ethylene polymers have grown.

The structure of supplies by types of polyethylene over the period under review is as follows.

Last month, a significant reduction in the import of low-pressure polyethylene into the Ukrainian market was recorded, the main reason being a temporary ban on import of HDPE from Russia (from March 1 to December 31, 2018). The total import figure was about 4.7 thousand tons against 8.2 thousand tons in February. In general, following the results of the first three months of the year, the total volume of imports of HDPE reached 19.1 thousand tons against 24 thousand tons a year earlier. The largest decrease in imports (-60%) was attributed to the film HDPE, which is due to the resumption of its own production.

The March import of high-pressure polyethylene (LDPE) increased to 6.4 thousand tons against 6.1 thousand tons a month earlier, some companies increased purchases of LDPE in Russia. During the period under review, the total volume of imports of LDPE reached 19.4 thousand tons, which is 19% more than in the same period in 2017.

Last month, external deliveries of linear polyethylene (LLDP) amounted to about 5.7 thousand tons, which actually corresponds to the February figure. In general, in January-March of the current year, the total import of LDL increased to 17.3 thousand tons against 14.9 thousand tons a year earlier. The main increase in imports was provided by local producers of film products.

Import of other types of polyethylene, including ethylene vinyl acetate, during the period under review amounted to about 3.4 thousand tons against 4.1 thousand tons a year earlier.