Cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil and strip market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Belgian market for cellular polyurethane plates, sheets, film, foil and strip was valued at 181.4 million USD. That year, Flanders implemented a waste sorting regulation under VLAREMA, requiring separate collection of plastic films, rigid recyclable plastics and expanded polystyrene from household waste, which marked a shift in plastic waste management. The market size then decreased to 159.9 million USD in 2019 and stabilized around 160 million USD in 2020.

Beginning in 2021, the market entered a period of rapid growth, rising to 224.1 million USD that year and reaching a peak of 369.1 million USD in 2022. This expansion was supported by strong demand from the construction and automotive sectors across Europe, which dominate consumption for polyurethane-based products and helped drive the market to more than double its 2020 level.

Following the 2022 peak, the market contracted to 276.3 million USD in 2023 and further to 217.6 million USD in 2024. This decline occurred alongside the ongoing application of European food-contact material regulations, including restrictions on bisphenol A, which affect plastic materials and may alter production requirements and costs. Additionally, Belgian exports of these goods had been declining on average by 1.6% per year between 2013 and 2024, reflecting softer external demand that contributed to the market's reduction.

Production cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's production of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 269.9 million US dollars, showing a modest decrease of 4.8% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 24.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 8.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Production of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in Belgium has dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium produced 74 597 tonnes, marking a 4.2% reduction from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 15.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.5%.

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

Exports cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil and strip from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Belgium's exports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined. In 2020, exports totaled 74 258 tonnes, down 2.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The peak was in 2019 at 76 188 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the top destinations for Belgium's exports in volume. The Netherlands accounted for 31.8% of exports, Germany for 19.2%, and France for 16.2%. Together, these three countries made up 67.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's exports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports were valued at 276.2 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 1.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 7.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 314.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.6%. In 2019, exports experienced the steepest decline of 10.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the leading destinations for Belgium's exports in value terms. The Netherlands represented 23.9% of exports, Germany 21.8%, and France 16.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 62.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil and strip to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium's imports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 50 964 tonnes, up 9.9% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.8%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 41 965 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.0%. In 2019, imports recorded the biggest increase of 10.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the primary sources for Belgium's imports in volume. The Netherlands supplied 66.5% of imports, France 12.2%, and Germany 8.5%. Together, these three countries comprised 87.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Belgium's imports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 166.7 million US dollars, rising 5.8% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 4.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 149.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and France were the main suppliers of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip to Belgium in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 64.7% of imports, Germany for 9.1%, and France for 8.9%. Collectively, these three countries made up 82.7% of total import value.

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

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