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

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the market for cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in Portugal expanded significantly, with physical volume rising from 8 305 t to 13 770 t. This growth occurred alongside European and national legislative initiatives aimed at waste prevention and recycling, including warnings from the European Commission about recycling targets and the ongoing adoption of the Circular Economy Package. The industry's focus on innovation and exports to over 120 countries supported its activity, even as the market prepared for upcoming restrictions on single-use plastics.

The market volume stabilized around 15 800 t in 2022-2023 before surging to 21 922 t in 2024. This period saw the implementation of stringent bans on single-use plastics containing expanded polystyrene, affecting retail packaging and food service from 2022 onwards. Concurrently, the development of deposit-return systems for beverage packaging and continued investment in recycling solutions by the global polystyrene industry provided a context for market evolution. Imports increased substantially throughout the period, supporting overall market size despite regulatory pressures on specific disposable items.

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

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's production of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip rebounded after a two-year decline. In 2021, output reached 37 666 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 29.0% increase from 2020. The lowest point in this period was in 2020, with production valued at 29 193 thousand US dollars. The most substantial drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 6.6%. Overall, from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 15.1%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 4.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Portugal's production of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip has risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 11 970 tonnes, a modest 1.6% increase compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production expanded by 6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

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

Exports in kind, t

Portugal's exports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip increased after a two-year downturn. In 2021, exports totaled 5 232 tonnes, showing a slight 2.1% rise from the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 5 123 tonnes, following the largest decline of 15.5% in 2019. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 22.2%, averaging an 8.0% annual decline.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain consistently represented 76.0% of Portugal's total exports in volume, highlighting a strong reliance on this market. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Portugal's exports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms recovered after a two-year decline. In 2021, exports amounted to 16 600 thousand US dollars, a sharp 30.9% increase from 2020. The lowest value was in 2020 at 12 678 thousand US dollars, after the most significant drop of 15.8% in 2019. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 2.9%, with a compound annual decline of 1.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Spain was the dominant market for Portugal's exports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value, accounting for 70.4% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

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

Imports in kind, t

Portugal's imports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip have grown for the third consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached 7 032 tonnes, a controlled 6.2% increase from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports surged by 88.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

During 2018-2021, Portugal's import sources for cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume were highly concentrated, with Spain alone responsible for 95.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Portugal's imports of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms have increased for the third year in a row. In 2021, imports totaled 20 233 thousand US dollars, a notable 23.2% rise from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 81.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Spain was the clear leader in supplying cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip to Portugal in value terms, capturing 90.7% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021