Players report robust demand for BOPP, non-woven in Turkey

Sales of essential goods including masks, gloves, healthcare, hygiene and cleaning products have been buoyant in Turkey during the last couple of weeks. The impact of COVID-19 outbreak was felt more amid tighter measures against the disease which resulted in vivid consumption across the world.

Thousands of end users in Turkey tried to stock up their individual needs via supermarkets or online shopping, leading to an increased demand for BOPP and PP non-woven grades.

Some textile companies also shifted their production to masks in order to meet the increased demand for healthcare.

Manufacturers report full order books

Large scaled end product converters reported, “BOPP and non-woven are the two products for which demand has been buoyant since early March. Our order books are full until late May or even June now.”

A manufacturer said, “Demand has been up by around 30% while we see an increased number of inquiries from Italy, Spain and Germany, where people were unfortunately hit hard by COVID-19.”

Logistic disruptions pose an issue

Meanwhile, the ongoing lockdowns in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa continue to largely weigh on end product deliveries. A manufacturer affirmed, “We are struggling to keep up with orders and also to send our goods to our main export destinations by trucks amid border closures. We are focusing to sea shipping more nowadays as a solution.”

Similarly, long lines for trucks and a lack of vehicles caused disruptions to goods deliveries inside Turkey.

Players expect smooth deliveries from India despite lockdown

Last week, many players voiced their woes over a 21-day lockdown in India considering the uncertainties about polymer production in the country. India has been Turkey’s top BOPP supplier for years now.

So far, players report that an Indian producer plans to proceed with its PP deliveries without much delays as the company’s exports were not affected by the recent measures. On the other hand, some market sources claimed that ports were operating at 15% capacity at the present.

Prices head further lower on tumbling costs

PP prices in Turkey have been on a downtrend since H2 February in line with weak prices in China, while planned turnarounds at Saudi and Egyptian producers limited the size of discounts.

However, oil collapse and the impact of the new coronavirus quickened the bearish trend in March. Textile was the main industry to be hindered by the virus which hit demand particularly for PP fibre, unlike the case for BOPP and non-woven.

Still, Saudi Arabian BOPP prices were down to $900-920/ton CFR Turkey, subject to 6.5% customs duty, Cash at the beginning of this week after being reported $960-980/ton just a week ago. As for PP non-woven, offers were last reported at $1020-1030/ton with the same terms in March, but players concur that fresh April prices will show up lower soon.

“Delays in deliveries coupled with healthy demand may prevent drastic price cuts for BOPP and PP non-woven, though,” said a seller, claiming that some suppliers are set to offer for May shipments, the earliest.