Russian investments into polymers processing down 62%

Investments into polymers processing equipment in Russia decreased 62% in 2009, and moved at USD 272 mln.

For the time being, this is the lowest figure ever recorded over the course of the recent five years. Contrariwise, the previous year was the all-time high in the history of the Russian polymer business: investments into polymers processing equipment exceeded USD 1 bln.

Recovery of the level of capital investments in the industry is expected not earlier than 2011. Converters have adjourned their investments programs for a couple of years. However, the apparent decrease in investments is not so critical for the Russian market: it will get along normally owing to already installed equipment. Before the crisis, overall polymers processing capacity exceeded output of finished goods on average 1.4 times, according to MRC’s assessments. In some processing sectors that ratio even moved at 2-2.5 times.