OREANDA-NEWS. April 28, 2012. In March, the imports of expandable polystyrene to the Ukrainian market made 1,700 tonnes. Since the beginning of 2012 the companies had imported 3.800 tonnes of EPS, which 27% up year on year, according to MRC analysts.

In January-March 2012, Ukrainian companies increased the volumes of EPS supplies. In January, the volume of EPS imports was only 700 tonnes, then in February, it increased twofold, namely, 1,435 tonnes.

The significant increase in supplies of imported EPS in February resulted from the price cuts from the Asian producers to USD 1,600/tonne FOB in late 2011, when the supplies had been contracted. In April, the price of imported Asian EPS was in the range of \\$1,720-1,750/tonne FOB.
 
Chinese EPS from Loyal still prevails in the structure of supply, which made more than 1,600 tonnes of imports, or 41.6% of total deliveries in Q1 2012.

From the beginning of 2012, Ukrainian companies significantly increased the supply of Alfapor  supplies by Sibur-Khimprom (Perm) production. Imports of Russian EPS made 740 tonnes or 19.1% from total deliveries in Q1. Such preference of the Perm EPS resulted from the significant difference  in the price of the material. This was ensured by international agreements, under which direct imports (from the producer) of EPS from Russia are not subject to 6.5% duty.

MRC analyst Roman Lugovskoy forecasts that the positive dynamics of EPS imports to Ukraine continues in Q2, as well as the increase of the market share of Perm EPS to 25-30%.