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

Earlier Report Observations

The market for cellular PU plates in Slovakia expanded significantly from 2018 to 2020, with volume growing from 10 720 t to over 14 300 t. This growth was primarily driven by the expanding use of PIR and PUR boards in construction, thanks to their excellent thermal insulation and mechanical properties. Stricter EU norms on building energy efficiency and the trend toward passive, energy-efficient buildings directly increased demand for these insulation materials. Even in 2020, the market remained stable as the focus on indoor air quality and continuous production during the pandemic supported steady consumption of certified PIR boards.

After a slight dip in volume in 2021, the market reached its peak of 14 354 t in 2022, with value soaring to 81.7 million USD. The introduction of new product formats, such as PIR SLATE and PIR FROST sandwich panels with various lengths and thicknesses, provided greater design flexibility for architects and builders. Manufacturers expanded their portfolios to meet diverse construction requirements, while ongoing regulatory focus on energy efficiency and fire safety standards continued to shape demand. The recovery in construction activity post-pandemic and investments in production capacity also contributed to this period of high market value.

From 2023, the market volume entered a period of contraction, declining to 12 483 t and further to 11 378 t in 2024. Correspondingly, the market's value fell from 77.3 million USD to 66.7 million USD over these two years.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Slovakia's production of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 20 743 thousand US dollars, marking a 1.4% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 22.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 6.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 16 675 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 1.7%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, reaching 22.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Slovakia's production of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip has risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 3 446 tonnes, showing a modest increase of 2.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 9.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 2 811 tonnes, with the largest drop that year of 10.4%. The biggest gain was in 2019, at 19.8%.

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

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

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018, with a two-fold difference between these years. In 2020, deliveries from Slovakia totaled 2 874 tonnes, representing a significant decline of 12.5% compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 244 tonnes. The largest decrease occurred in 2019, at 22.6%, while the most substantial increase was in 2018, at 101.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—Poland, Hungary, and Czechia—accounted for 69.3% of Slovakia's total exports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, Slovakia's exports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip declined. In 2020, export volume amounted to 13 732 thousand US dollars, down 3.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 43.8%, averaging an annual rate of 12.9%. The peak value was in 2019 at 14 250 thousand US dollars. The largest rise was recorded in 2018, at 48.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Germany, and Czechia were the main destinations for Slovakia's exports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms. Hungary accounted for 30.0%, Germany for 25.3%, and Czechia for 16.1%, together making up 71.3% of total export flows.

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

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

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

Imports in kind, t

Slovakia's imports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 13 743 tonnes, reflecting a moderate uptick of 6.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 12 153 tonnes, with the largest decline that year of 4.5%. The most significant increase was in 2019, at 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Czechia, and Germany were the primary sources for Slovakia's imports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in volume terms. Hungary contributed 29.4%, Czechia 18.5%, and Germany 12.4%, together accounting for 60.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's import volume of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip amounted to 52 679 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate increase of 4.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7.2%, averaging an annual decline of 2.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 50 645 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 59 328 thousand US dollars. The largest drop occurred in 2019, at 14.6%, and the biggest gain was in 2018, at 4.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Hungary, Austria, and Germany formed the core group of markets for Slovakia's imports of cellular PU plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip in value terms. Hungary represented 20.8%, Austria 16.6%, and Germany 15.2%, together making up 52.7% of total import flows.

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

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