European high density polyethylene imports were up 13.5% for the first eleven months of 2013 compared to same time period in 2012 driven by reduced HDPE production in Europe, Eurostat data showed Wednesday.
EU-28 imported 1,061,966 mt of HDPE in the first eleven months of 2013, compared to 936,021 mt in the same time period in 2012.
Total 2012 imports amounted to 1,022,003 mt, data showed. Under utilisation and rationalization in the European HDPE market on the back of poor margins prompted the increase in imports.
According to Platts analysis, European HDPE operating rates will remain below 80% from 2013 to 2023.
Fellow PE grades also saw an increase in imports. Linear low density polyethylene imports for January to November increased to 929,968 mt in 2013 from 884,969 mt in 2012, while LDPE imports increased to 529,701 mt from 520,042 mt. They represent an increase of 5.1% and 1.9% respectively.
