Polymer surplus boosts the role of Russia's domestic market
6 Nov 2026
Expanding global capacity may complicate exports of Russian polyolefins. Market participants see opportunities in developing domestic processing and special grades for packaging — RUPEC, 21 October 2026.
Participants of the Creon "Packaging" conference linked the risks for Russian suppliers of base polymers to the growth of foreign capacity, above all in China. According to the estimate cited, polyolefin capacity in Russia could increase from 6 million tonnes in 2025 to more than 13 million tonnes by 2030. This is a forecast, not the volume of plants already commissioned. The estimates were published by RUPEC on 21 October 2026.
The same material reports that Russian consumption of polyethylene grew by 28% and that of polypropylene by 32% over the past five years. Participants in the discussion propose expanding the domestic market and the range of special grades, including those meeting packaging requirements. Thus, this is a possible direction for the development of the industry, not a confirmed fall in raw material prices. Source: RUPEC, 21 October 2026.
Editorial conclusion
When choosing an extrusion or injection moulding line, it is useful to assess whether it can work with different grades and formulations. The forecast of new capacity is worth considering in several procurement scenarios, while keeping a separate calculation of demand for finished products.
