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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the German market for cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil and strip expanded from 232 thousand tons to 258 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by increased demand for polyurethane in construction applications due to its improved insulation properties, which help reduce energy consumption. The development of sustainable polymer formulations for automotive lightweighting further supported market volume in 2019. Despite global challenges, the industry showed stable development in 2020, with market size nearly unchanged. In 2021, stricter European energy efficiency regulations led to higher demand for environmentally friendly polyurethane materials, pushing the market to a new peak.

The market volume continued to grow slightly in 2022, reaching 261 thousand tons, supported by sustainability goals and rising demand for green materials. However, in 2023, consumption fell sharply to 239 thousand tons. In 2024, the market recovered modestly to 242 thousand tons, as demand in the construction industry rose due to energy efficiency regulations and the promotion of energy-saving building materials, even though polyurethane production in Germany faced headwinds from dramatic developments in TDI raw materials.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 357 million US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 6.3%, while the peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 453 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 5.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 301.9 thousand tonnes, staying almost flat from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 275.9 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 9.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's export volume of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip was 100.7 thousand tonnes, down by 4.4% year-over-year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 94.8 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 7.8%. The peak volume occurred in 2019 at 105.4 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 11.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner landscape for exports in kind was diverse. Poland accounted for 15.3% of exports, Switzerland for 12.1%, and Czechia for 10.5%, together forming 37.9% of total flows. The remaining 62.1% was distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year increase, Germany's cross-border shipments of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 497.5 million US dollars, down 5.9% from the previous year. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 528.9 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for exports in value terms was quite broad. Poland contributed 10.9% of exports, Switzerland 10.1%, and Czechia 9.3%, together representing 30.3% of total flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany imported 100.7 thousand tonnes of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip, marking a strong drop of 12.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 18.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 4.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria remained the key partners for imports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 28.2% of imports, Belgium for 23.2%, and Austria for 10.7%, together making up 62.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's imports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 220.6 million US dollars, showing a robust fall of 15.8% over the past year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 24.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -8.9%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Austria made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 23.8% of imports, Belgium for 18.6%, and Austria for 12.7%, jointly accounting for 55.1% of total flows.

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

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