Cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil and strip market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

The Austrian market for cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil and strip grew to 80.8 thousand tonnes in 2018, partly driven by the introduction of the European Plastics Strategy, which stimulated plastic production and use to meet future recycling targets. Growth continued in 2019, reaching 83.0 thousand tonnes, but market volume fell to 74.9 thousand tonnes in 2020.

Following the 2020 dip, the market surged to 109.8 thousand tonnes in 2021 and further increased to 115.3 thousand tonnes in 2022. This expansion coincided with documented growth in production capacities for plastic products in Austria, particularly in photovoltaic modules and inverters, boosting demand for plastic components used in energy technologies.

Market volume declined to 93.5 thousand tonnes in 2023, despite investment subsidies for PV battery storage systems that supported demand in the energy sector. The drop deepened to 69.0 thousand tonnes in 2024 due to rising raw material and production costs, coupled with only a modest economic recovery in the plastics processing industry after the 2023 recession.

Production cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austrian production of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip experienced a decline following two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 284.2 million US dollars, but by 2020, it had fallen to 264.3 million US dollars, marking a modest decrease of 7.0%. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production overall increased by 3.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The most significant year-on-year rise occurred in 2018, with a 5.6% increase.

Annual dynamics of production in Austria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Austria produced 76,201 tonnes of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip, representing a slight year-over-year decline of 6.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 7.5%, with an average annual decline rate of 2.6%. The largest increase was observed in 2019, when output rose by 5.6%.

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

Exports cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil and strip from Austria

Exports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of decline, Austria's exports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip rebounded in 2020. Shipments totaled 28,626 tonnes, reflecting a measured year-over-year increase of 7.4%. Over the 2017-2020 span, exports grew by 3.4%, averaging 1.1% per year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 26,651 tonnes, while the most significant drop occurred in 2018, with a 3.3% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Slovakia were the top buyers of Austrian cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms. Germany accounted for 51.4% of exports, Switzerland for 14.5%, and Slovakia for 10.5%. Together, these three markets represented 76.4% of Austria's total export volume during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Austria's exports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms reached 87.198 million US dollars in 2020, up 10.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 2.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 87.591 million US dollars, while the lowest was in 2019 at 78.860 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 10.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Switzerland, and Slovakia collectively absorbed 74.8% of the total export value of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip from Austria.

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

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

Imports cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil and strip to Austria

Imports in kind, t

Austria's imports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined for the second year in a row in 2020, totaling 27,366 tonnes, down 2.5% year-over-year. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 30,337 tonnes. The most significant decrease occurred in 2019 with a 7.4% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 8.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Germany and Italy were the primary sources for Austria's imports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms, with other markets playing relatively minor individual roles.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Austria's imports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms fell for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 66.986 million US dollars, a slight reduction of 1.6% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 span, import value increased by 10%, averaging 3.2% per year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 75.097 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 9.4% drop, while the most significant increase was in 2018, surging by 23.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and Hungary were the key sources for Austria's imports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms. Germany accounted for 59.7% of imports, Italy for 19.3%, and Hungary for 6.6%. Together, these three countries made up 85.6% of total import value during this period.

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

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