ABS copolymers in primary forms market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian ABS copolymers market remained relatively stable from 2018 to 2020, with annual volumes hovering around 51 000 tons. State procurement under laws 44‑FZ and 223‑FZ provided a steady source of demand from public‑sector buyers. However, in 2020, the COVID‑19 pandemic combined with geopolitical tensions and currency fluctuations disrupted import and export flows, leading to a slight market contraction.

A sharp 11.6% surge lifted the market to 56 985 tons in 2021. This growth was primarily fueled by an 18% rise in bicycle sales, which increased demand for ABS plastic components. Concurrently, ongoing import‑substitution policies encouraged domestic polymer production, further supporting market expansion.

In 2022, the market fell by 12.2% to 50 048 tons as intensified Western sanctions, logistical constraints and currency volatility severely hampered trade. Recovery began in 2023, supported by the introduction of the new best‑available‑technologies standard ITS 32‑2022, which raised production quality. By 2024, the market volume reached 55 044 tons, reflecting a rebalancing under continued import‑substitution trends.

Production ABS in primary forms in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Russia produced 23 724 tonnes of ABS copolymers in primary forms, marking a significant increase of 61.6% compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 23.9%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 7.4%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 14 684 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 25.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports ABS in primary forms from Russia

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 655 tonnes, with the largest decline that year at 23.8%. In 2021, exports peaked at 6 758 tonnes of ABS copolymers in primary forms from Russia, representing a substantial increase of 133.0% compared to the previous year. Overall, exports varied by 2.5 times between the low in 2019 and the high in 2021.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main markets for exports in kind of ABS copolymers in primary forms from Russia were Belarus, accounting for 59.5% of exports, Italy with 11.7%, and China with 11.6%. Together, these three countries represented 82.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 5.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 32.0%. In 2021, exports of ABS copolymers in primary forms from Russia amounted to 19.1 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp increase of 264.1% compared to 2020. Overall, export volumes varied by 3.6 times between the low in 2020 and the high in 2021.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

During 2018–2021, the leading destinations for exports in value terms of ABS copolymers in primary forms from Russia were Belarus, which accounted for 59.7% of exports, Italy with 14.8%, and Ukraine with 6.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 81.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Russia in value, 2018-2021

Imports ABS in primary forms to Russia

Imports in kind, t

In 2021, Russia imported 41 131 tonnes of ABS copolymers in primary forms, which is 13.7% more than in 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 14.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 2.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the main sources for imports in kind of ABS copolymers in primary forms to Russia were South Korea, representing 58.5% of imports, the Netherlands with 9.2%, and Belgium with 7.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 75.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 59.2 million US dollars, with the largest decline occurring in 2019 at 13.4%. In 2021, imports of ABS copolymers in primary forms to Russia reached 109.2 million US dollars, up by 84.5% compared to the previous year. Overall, import volumes varied by 1.8 times between the low in 2020 and the high in 2021.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2018–2021, the main destinations for imports in value terms of ABS copolymers in primary forms to Russia were South Korea, accounting for 58.1% of imports, the Netherlands with 8.6%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, with 7.2%. Together, these three sources represented 73.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Russia in value, 2018-2021