Cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil and strip market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cellular polystyrene plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in the Netherlands expanded in volume, reaching nearly 28 000 t in 2021, while production steadily contracted from over 22 000 t in 2019. This initial growth was followed by a clear reversal in market trajectory beginning the following year.

A major regulatory shift occurred with the full implementation of the Single Use Plastics (SUP) directive in 2022, which banned the sale of specific products like expanded polystyrene plates. This restriction directly reduced market access for certain disposable items, contributing to the decline in total market volume to 26 874 t in 2022 and further to 21 981 t by 2024. The regulatory environment continued to evolve with the adoption of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in late 2024, setting future harmonized rules for packaging sustainability and labeling.

Concurrently, the industry saw significant investment as producer BEWI opened a new expanded polystyrene production line in the Netherlands in 2024, adding substantial capacity. This move indicates strategic adaptation within the sector, even as new mandates like attached caps and minimum recycled plastic content in bottles took effect, reshaping the broader packaging material landscape.

Production cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in the Netherlands

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In the Netherlands, the production value of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip reached 75 865 thousand US dollars in 2021, marking a 20.6% increase compared to the previous year. Production hit its lowest point in 2020 at 62 884 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 7.2%. Over the period from 2019 to 2021, production grew by 11.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.8%.

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

In kind, 2018-2021, t

The Netherlands experienced a second consecutive year of decline in the production volume of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip. In 2021, production stood at 19 129 tonnes, showing a slight decrease of 1.5% from 2020. From 2019 to 2021, production fell by 13.7%, resulting in a compound annual growth rate of -4.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil and strip from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip from the Netherlands declined for the third year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 2 940 tonnes, representing a significant drop of 24.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 43.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 17.2%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium was the dominant destination for exports in volume terms, accounting for 80.3% of total flows, with all other markets making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of cross-border shipments of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip from the Netherlands rebounded. In 2021, exports reached 28 008 thousand US dollars, a sharp increase of 62.6% year-over-year. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 17 227 thousand US dollars, following the largest decline in 2019 of 24.6%. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 16.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%.

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

Between 2018 and 2021, the top destinations for exports in value terms from the Netherlands were Belgium, with 68.7% of total export value, Germany at 7.7%, and the United Kingdom at 4.0%. Together, these three countries accounted for 80.5% of all export flows.

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

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

Imports cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil and strip to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip into the Netherlands increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports totaled 11 808 tonnes, up by 67.1% from the prior year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 6 885 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.2%. From 2018 to 2021, imports rose by 62.6%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 17.6%.

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

During the period from 2018 to 2021, the three largest sources for imports in volume terms were Germany, Belgium, and China, collectively representing 84.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of cellular PS plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip imports into the Netherlands grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, imports were valued at 57 400 thousand US dollars, a 57.4% increase compared to 2020. The minimum value occurred in 2019 at 33 082 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 12.5%. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 42%, resulting in an annualized growth rate of 12.4%.

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

From 2018 to 2021, Germany and Belgium remained the primary sources for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 80.2% of total flows, while other partners contributed the remaining share.

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

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