Eastern Europe’s Polyethylene Import Sources Shift

Lower imports from the Middle East of LLDPE and HDPE, higher volumes of LDPE, and increased imports of all three polymers from Asia-Pacific were evident in the region through May 2013.Small declines on Eastern Europe’s imports of LLDPE and HDPE from the Middle East were projected through May 2103, volumes down 5% and 2%, respectively. Imports of LDPE rose 30%. Supplies of these polymers from Asia-Pacific, however, were up: LDPE, up 3%; LLDPE, up 30%; HDPE, up 11%. Eastern Europe’s imports of polypropylene from Asia-Pacific also increased, up 27%, noting a decline of 11% from the Middle East.