Ukraine's polypropylene (PP) imports totalled about 101,500 tonnes in the first nine months of the year, up 4% year on year. The greatest increase in imports accounted for homopolymer PP, according to MRC DataScope.

September PP imports into Ukraine increased to 11,400 tonnes from 11,100 tonnes a month earlier, local companies raised their purchasing of of homopolymer PP grades in Middle West. Overall imports of propylene polymers reached 101,500 tonnes in January-September 2019, compared to 97,700 tonnes a year earlier. Homopolymer PP accounted for the main growth in imports, while the demand for propylene copolymers declined with a few exceptions.

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

September imports of propylene homopolymers to the Ukrainian market grew due to growth in supplies from Middle East and amounted to about 8,600 tonnes against 7,800 tonnes a month earlier. Overall shipments of homopolymer PP reached 77,900 tonnes in the first nine months of 2019 versus 73,800 tonnes a year earlier.

September imports of PP block copolymers was about 1,500 tonnes, which actually equal to the level in August. Imports of PP block copolymers into the country were about 10,500 tonnes in January-September, compared with 9,800 tonnes year on year.

September imports of PP random copolymers fell to 1,100 tonnes compared to 1,600 tonnes a month due to lower demand for pipe polypropylene. Overall imports of PP random copolymers exceeded 11,700 tonnes in January-September 2019, whereas this figure was about 12,400 tonnes a year earlier.

Total imports of other propylene copolymers over the reporting period were about 1,300 tonnes, compared with 1,700 tonnes in the same time a year earlier.

Source: MRC