Phthalic anhydride market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian phthalic anhydride market showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2024. The sharp contraction in 2020, which saw market volume drop to 37.3 thousand tons, was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated global logistical and raw material constraints that disrupted production. A recovery followed in 2021, supported by ongoing modernization and innovation efforts from key producers like AO Kamteks-Khimprom. However, a new wave of challenges emerged in 2022 due to sanctions and restrictions on the import of critical raw materials and equipment, leading to another significant drop in production and pulling the market volume down to 43.0 thousand tons.

Throughout the period, the market's structural reliance on orthoxylene supplies remained a key factor influencing production stability. Concurrently, tightening environmental legislation and regulatory requirements spurred the adoption of cleaner technologies and the development of more environmentally friendly phthalic anhydride derivatives. These elements, alongside reported growth in domestic consumption within the paint and plastics industries, shaped the market's longer-term trajectory, encouraging producers to enhance internal R&D and reduce external dependencies.

Following the 2022 downturn, the market demonstrated resilience, with volume recovering to 61.6 thousand tons in 2023 before stabilizing at 58.7 thousand tons in 2024, as production capacity gradually increased.

Production phthalic anhydride in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Following a two-year decline, Russia's phthalic anhydride production rebounded in 2021. Output reached 102.3 K t, marking a 17.5% increase compared to 2020. However, over the broader 2018-2021 period, production actually fell by 23.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 87.0 K t, which also saw the steepest annual decline of 31.0%.

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

Exports phthalic anhydride from Russia

Exports in kind, t

Russia's phthalic anhydride exports have grown for three consecutive years. In 2021, exports totaled 66 001 t, representing a 3.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports expanded by 24.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, Russia's phthalic anhydride export market remained highly diversified, with no single dominant destination. Poland accounted for 13.1% of exports by volume, India for 12.7%, and Egypt for 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented just 36.8% of total exports, while numerous smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

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, K $ US

After a two-year contraction, Russia's phthalic anhydride exports by value rebounded strongly in 2021. Export revenues reached 68 960 K $ US, surging 52.4% compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, export values increased by 36.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 45 243 K $ US, which also saw the largest annual decline of 9.4%.

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

The structure of Russia's phthalic anhydride exports by value from 2018 to 2021 was characterized by diversification. Poland accounted for 13.0% of export value, India for 11.4%, and Egypt for 10.7%. Combined, these three markets represented just 35.1% of total export flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports phthalic anhydride to Russia

Imports in kind, t

Russia's phthalic anhydride imports surged in 2021, reaching 13 703 t—a sharp 46.4% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the full 2018-2021 period, imports actually declined by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 9 359 t, while the peak occurred in 2019 at 15 900 t. The steepest annual decline of 41.1% was also recorded in 2020.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belarus was overwhelmingly the dominant source for Russia's phthalic anhydride imports by volume, accounting for 98.4% of total 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, K $ US

Russia's phthalic anhydride import values showed significant volatility between 2018 and 2021. After dropping to a low of 7 674 K $ US in 2020, import values more than doubled to reach 15 371 K $ US in 2021—a 100.3% increase from the previous year. The year 2020 also saw the steepest annual decline of 47.3%.

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

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, Belarus was the predominant partner for Russia's phthalic anhydride imports by value, accounting for 98.0% of total flows.

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

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