Artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate in Romania grew to 85 889 t in 2019 but then contracted to 69 755 t in 2020. The industry had been operating under long-term constraints, including the absence of domestic pulp mills since 2008 and the closure of many paper factories, which limited local production capacity.

Market volume continued to decline, falling to 52 387 t by 2023, even as the market value recovered and reached 159 million US dollars. During this period, a government circular in 2022 mandated a National Strategy for Environmental and Climate Change Education, signaling increased policy focus on industrial sustainability. Simultaneously, the cellulose plant in Drobeta-Turnu Severin was restarted after an eight-year hiatus, and research advanced on hybrid cellulose acetate membranes for new industrial applications.

By 2024, the adoption of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2024-2027 and the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) set the stage for increased digitalization in the sector and stricter sustainability requirements for packaging, which may affect future demand for cellulose acetate materials.

Production artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's output of artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate was valued at 73 391 thousand US dollars, marking a 24.7% decrease compared to 2019. Production declined by 23.4% between 2018 and 2020, which translates to an annualized rate of 8.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 97 422 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 1.6% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Romania produced 58 572 tonnes of artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate, representing a 22.3% drop from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, production fell by 17.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.1%. The peak was in 2019 at 75 405 tonnes, with the largest increase of 6.6% also recorded that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate from Romania

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 22 tonnes, then surged to a high of 153 tonnes in 2020, reflecting a 6.8-fold increase. In 2020, deliveries from Romania rose by 578.8% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 77.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Poland, and Hungary were the key destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 76.6% of total flows. Italy led with 52.0%, followed by Poland at 16.4%, and Hungary at 8.2%.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports hit a low in 2019 at 117 thousand US dollars, then climbed to a high in 2020 at 812 thousand US dollars, varying by a factor of 7.9 from 2017 to 2019. In 2020, supplies from Romania increased by 595.3% compared to 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, with an 80.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Over 2017–2020, Italy, Poland, and Hungary stood out as the main markets for exports in value terms, together representing 78.4% of total flows. Italy accounted for 55.6%, Poland for 15.5%, and Hungary for 7.3%.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Romania in value, 2017-2020

Imports artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Imports of artificial filament tow of cellulose acetate into Romania increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 11 336 tonnes, up 7.9% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 130.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 32.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany were the largest sources for imports in kind, together accounting for 86.1% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached a low in 2017, then peaked in 2020 at 53 597 thousand US dollars, changing by a factor of 2.3 over this period. In 2020, supplies to Romania increased by 7.6% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was in 2019 at 2.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 121.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2017–2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany formed the main group of destinations for imports in value terms to Romania, with a combined share of 83.7% of total flows. The Netherlands led with 55.4%, Belgium contributed 21.3%, and Germany accounted for 7.0%.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Romania in value, 2017-2020