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

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak market for cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip contracted in physical volume from 45 362 t in 2019 to 37 672 t in 2020, before stabilizing around 37 458 t in 2021. This decline was driven by a sharp fall in domestic production, which more than halved from 28 778 t to 14 929 t over the period. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted international supply chains for raw materials like PVC and PE in 2020, forcing manufacturers to scale back output. The full implementation of the EU's ban on single-use plastics in July 2021 further pressured producers to reformulate products and shift towards recyclable alternatives, constraining production volumes.

Import volumes showed resilience, rising from 29 938 t in 2020 to a peak of 32 614 t in 2022, while exports fell from 14 188 t in 2019 to a low of 8 268 t in 2022. This shift in trade flows occurred alongside evolving EU and Slovak packaging legislation. From 2022, new labeling rules and a mandate for at least 10% recycled content in new packaging altered material requirements and supply chains. The expansion of extended producer responsibility schemes also increased costs for domestic manufacturers, affecting their export competitiveness.

Ongoing regulatory pressure continued to reshape the market. The preparation of new waste and recycling laws in 2023, which set higher recycled content targets, spurred investment in technologies for producing thinner, lighter plastic films. Furthermore, rising raw material prices due to the energy crisis and inflation from 2022 onward squeezed margins and accelerated a search for alternative materials and suppliers. The anticipated EU phase-out of single-use plastic fillers and bubble wrap by 2026 prompted major Slovak players to begin investing in recyclable or compostable alternatives, steering the market towards higher-value sustainable products.

Production cellular plastic sheets in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, the output of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in Slovakia was valued at 57,227 thousand US dollars, marking a 22.0% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Slovakia produced 17,445 tonnes of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip, which represents a 39.4% decline year-over-year.

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

Exports cellular plastic sheets from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year rise, Slovakia's exports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined in volume. In 2020, exports totaled 9,711 tonnes, down 31.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.6%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.6%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 14,188 tonnes, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 26.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Poland, and Czechia were the key partners for Slovakia's exports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms. Hungary accounted for 19.3% of exports, Poland for 17.8%, and Czechia for 16.2%, collectively representing 53.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year uptick, Slovakia's exports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined in value. In 2020, exports amounted to 38.2 million US dollars, a significant drop of 17.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 16.6%, with an annualized rate of 5.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 46.4 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 0.8%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Hungary, Czechia, and Germany formed the core markets for Slovakia's exports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms. Hungary contributed 21.3% of exports, Czechia 17.5%, and Germany 16.0%, together accounting for 54.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cellular plastic sheets to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year gain, Slovakia's imports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined in volume. In 2020, imports reached 29,938 tonnes, a 2.7% decrease from 2019. Over the period 2017–2020, imports increased by 6.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 30,772 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and Czechia remained the key partners for Slovakia's imports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms. Germany accounted for 19.9% of imports, Hungary for 19.2%, and Czechia for 14.9%, collectively making up 54.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's imports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip totaled 112.5 million US dollars, a slight increase of 1.4% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.2%, averaging an annualized rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 111.0 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 125.3 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 5.6%.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany, Hungary, and Czechia consistently served as the main destinations for Slovakia's imports of cellular plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms. Germany accounted for 27.2% of imports, Hungary for 14.2%, and Czechia for 11.0%, together representing 52.3% of total flows.

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

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