Overall imports of polypropylene (PP) to Belarus rose in the first five months of 2019 by 11% year on year, totalling slightly over 45,700 tonnes. Demand for all grades of propylene polymers increased, according to MRC"s DataScope report.

May PP imports to Belarus were about 11,500 tonnes, compared to 9,500 tonnes a month earlier, local companies raised their purchasing of propylene copolymer in Russia. Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 45,700 tonnes in January-May 2019, compared to 41,100 tonnes a year earlier, whereas the need for a homopolymer PP and propylene copolymers increased approximately equal. 

The supply structure by PP grades looked the following way over the stated period.

May imports of homopolymer PP exceeded 6,500 tonnes, compared to 6,600 tonnes a month earlier. Overall imports of homopolymer PP reached 30,500 tonnes in January-May 2019, up by 11% year on year.

Russian producers with the share of about 87% of the total shipments were the key suppliers. May imports of propylene copolymers into Belarus were 3,700 tonnes versus 2,900 tonnes a month earlier, local companies increased their procurement of injection moulding statistical copolymers (PP random copolymers) in Russia.

Thus, overall imports of propylene copolymers reached 15,100 tonnes in January-May 2019, down by 11% year on year.

Source: MRC