Polystyrene imports decreased 45% in Russia in the first half of the year, compared to the same period last year – according to MRC.

Imports of Asian PS went down by more than two times. PS imports moved at 52.16 kt over the six months. EPS imports dropped by 47% during January-June 2009. There was a serious decrease in imports of BASF’s material (-30%); the company is going to cut down PS output in Europe by 15%.

HIPS imports decreased 39% over the first six months of the year. The Russian ABS market was going down during the first half of the year (by 51% as to the first half of 2008, to 6.78 kt).Imports from South Korea went down by 45%. During the first half of the year, GPPS imports decreased 46%, compared to the same period last year (SAN – by 10%, SBS – by 40%).