Polyamides in primary forms market in Russia

Earlier Report Observations

The Russian polyamides market grew from 87.1 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 119.0 thousand tons in 2021. This expansion was initially driven by the expansion of production capacities and a strategic focus on the domestic market. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further accelerated import substitution efforts, as supply chain disruptions increased reliance on local production and investments in new segments of specialty polyamides.

A sharp contraction followed, with the market volume dropping to 95.1 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 69.4 thousand tons in 2023. This decline was primarily caused by international sanctions that severely restricted access to imported raw materials and equipment, compounded by logistical bottlenecks and rising production costs. Producers responded by prioritizing domestic sales and reducing export volumes, while government policies aimed at supporting import substitution provided some counterbalance.

A partial recovery to 75.0 thousand tons occurred in 2024, supported by continued investments in new production capacities for specialized polyamides and sustained state policy backing domestic polymer processing. This helped offset some of the ongoing challenges, including limited access to foreign technologies.

Production polyamides in primary forms in Russia

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Following a two-year decline, Russia's production of polyamides in primary forms has rebounded. In 2021, output reached 198.1 K t, marking a significant 22.7% increase compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 14.4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 4.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 161.5 K t, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2019, when output fell by 3.6%.

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

Exports polyamides in primary forms from Russia

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decline, Russia's exports of polyamides in primary forms have shown an upturn. In 2021, export volumes amounted to 109.4 K t, representing a substantial 21.6% increase from 2020. The lowest export level was recorded in 2020 at 90.0 K t, with the largest annual drop occurring in 2019, when exports decreased by 9.1%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, the largest buyers of Russian polyamides in primary forms by volume were India, accounting for 34.3% of exports, China with 29.6%, and Germany at 10.3%. Together, these three countries represented 74.3% of Russia's total exports in kind during this period.

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 export market for polyamides in primary forms exhibited notable volatility between 2018 and 2021. The value of exports peaked in 2018 and reached its lowest point in 2020, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2021, export value rebounded to 217.2 M $ US, showing a dramatic 90.2% increase from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 114.2 M $ US, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2020, when export value fell by 29.9%.

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

Throughout the 2018-2021 period, India, China, and Germany remained the primary markets for Russian polyamides in primary forms by value. India accounted for 34.1% of export value, China for 27.0%, and Germany for 10.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented 71.7% of Russia's total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports polyamides in primary forms to Russia

Imports in kind, K t

Russia's imports of polyamides in primary forms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, import volumes reached 29.8 K t, showing a strong 21.3% year-over-year growth. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 26.5%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 8.2%. The lowest import level was recorded in 2019 at 22.7 K t, with the largest annual decline also occurring in 2019, when imports fell by 3.5%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the main contributors to Russia's imports of polyamides in primary forms by volume were Belarus, accounting for 31.7% of imports, Germany with 19.7%, and Spain at 13.6%. Together, these three countries represented 65.0% of total import flows in kind.

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

Following a two-year decline, Russia's imports of polyamides in primary forms have increased in value terms. In 2021, import value reached approximately 96.4 M $ US, marking a sharp 53.0% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, import value grew by 31.9%, which corresponds to an average annual growth rate of 9.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 63.0 M $ US, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2019, when import value fell by 8.6%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Belarus, and Spain were the main sources of polyamides in primary forms imported into Russia by value. Germany accounted for 22.4% of import value, Belarus for 21.9%, and Spain for 15.0%. Together, these three countries represented 59.3% of Russia's total import flows in value terms.

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

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