Cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian market for cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip operated within a framework of significant regulatory change from 2018 onward. Major domestic producers like RomCarbon and TeraPlast were active, while national legislation began aligning with EU directives to reduce plastic impact, notably banning certain plastic bags in 2018. This regulatory pressure intensified as large retailers started phasing out single-use plastic items in 2019, and a global raw material crisis in 2020 increased production costs for plastic films and sheets, influencing market prices.

A pivotal shift occurred from July 3, 2021, with the enforcement of restrictions on marketing single-use plastic products, including a ban on plastic cutlery, plates, and straws. Producers were mandated to implement measures for the progressive reduction of quantities placed on the market. This directly suppressed domestic consumption and production volumes, leading to a decline in the physical market size from 61 013 t in 2021 to 58 407 t in 2022, even as the market value rose to 219.2 million $ US, partly reflecting earlier cost increases. The regulatory framework tightened further in 2022 and 2023, with annual reduction targets for producers and expanded producer responsibility schemes.

The market contraction accelerated sharply by 2024, with the physical volume falling to 27 521 t. This was driven by the cumulative effect of reduction mandates, which targeted a 10% cut from 2022 levels, and the adoption of the stringent EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). The PPWR imposed strict design-for-recycling criteria and recycled content targets for packaging, directly affecting producers of plastic films and strips. Ongoing EU infringement procedures against Romania for deficiencies in transposing single-use plastic rules underscored the regulatory pressure, constraining market volume despite the continued presence of major domestic manufacturers.

Production cellular plastic sheets in Romania

According to Faostat, there is no production of cellular plastic sheets in Romania.

Exports cellular plastic sheets from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 31 314 tonnes, marking a controlled increase of 7.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 44.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical distribution of Romania's exports in kind was highly diversified. Bulgaria accounted for 26.4% of exports, Hungary for 12.0%, and Italy for 11.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 49.9% of total flows, with the remaining 50.1% spread across numerous smaller partner nations.

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, M $ US

In 2020, the value of Romania's exports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip reached 69.8 million US dollars, up by 7.3% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 43.7%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 12.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 1.2%, while the highest increase was recorded in 2018, at 35.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's exports in value terms of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip were not heavily concentrated. Bulgaria held 27.5% of exports, Italy 11.4%, and Hungary 10.1%. Combined, these three countries captured just 49.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cellular plastic sheets to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip have also increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume stood at 33 564 tonnes, showing a rise of 6.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 24.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 7.7%.

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

The structure of Romania's imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 indicates a diversified set of trading partners. Italy contributed 17.7% of imports, Germany 14.9%, and Bulgaria 11.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 44.2% of total flows, with the remaining 55.8% distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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, M $ US

After two years of growth, Romania's imports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms declined in 2020. The country imported a total of 116.8 million US dollars, down by 3.4% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 2.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 120.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and France remained the key sources for Romania's imports in value terms. Germany accounted for 20.9% of imports, Italy for 20.5%, and France for 14.0%. Together, these three countries represented 55.4% of total flows.

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

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