São Paulo – Brazilian imports of thermoplastic resins grew 60.7% in the first half this year, in comparison with the same months of 2007, having totalled 521,700 tonnes, according to data disclosed by the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association (Abiquim). The purchases helped sustain the expansion in consumption of the products in the Brazilian domestic market.
From January to June this year, Brazil consumed 2.4 million tonnes of thermoplastic resins. The volume was 13.5% greater than recorded during the same period last year. The national industry also supplied the domestic market, however it recorded a 6.6% decline in production. Brazil manufactured 2.2 million tonnes of the product. Output was harmed by interruption of production for maintenance at national petrochemical plants.
The data includes polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate (EVA). Brazilian thermoplastic resin exports also decreased in the accumulated result up until June. They totalled 375,700 tonnes, reduction of 39.7% in comparison with the same period last year.
In June alone, Brazilian thermoplastic resin output totalled 380,400 tonnes, 6.4% more than in May. There was, however, a 6.6% reduction in comparison with June last year. Imports remained practically on the same level as in May, at 85,000 tonnes, and exports grew 32.2%, to reach 66,000 tonnes.
"Several industrial sectors that consume large quantities of resins sustain the growth perspective for production and sales in the coming months. There are, of course, concerns regarding increase in prices of petrochemical raw materials in the international market, but so far, indicators are positive for the remainder of the year," says the coordinator of the Sectoral Commission for Thermoplastic Resins at Abiquim, Luiz de Mendonça.
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum
