MOSCOW (MRC) - Exports of general purpose polystyrene (GPPS) and high impact polystyrene (HIPS) from Russia increased more than twofold in the first half of the year, compared with the same time a year earlier, as per MRC DataScope.

Total exports of HIPS and GPPS from Russia were 45,100 tonnes in January-June 2014, compared with 20,000 tonnes year on year. The increase in export shipments resulted from the increased production capacities of Russian companies and the growth of production volumes.

Total HIPS exports from Russia were 26,400 tonnes over the reported period, which was two times higher than in January-June 2013. The main consumer of Russian HIPS was Turkey, with 6,800 tonnes exported. Whereas in 2013 the main HIPS exports occurred for Ukraine. Exports of Russian HIPS in Ukraine in January-June 2014 were 4,500 tonnes, down 16% year on year. A new direction for the Russian high-impact polystyrene was Egypt, with more than 6,000 tonnes exported.

At the same time Ukraine remained the biggest importer of Russian GPPS. Total exports of Russian GPPS in Ukraine were 5,600 tonnes in January-June 2014, up 27% year on year.