Coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, imports of coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base into Romania gradually declined from 32 474 thousand US dollars to 31 362 thousand US dollars, while exports rose from 1 538 thousand US dollars to 1 828 thousand US dollars. Domestic production, reported from 2020 onward, stood at 4 792 thousand US dollars that year, resulting in a market size of 34 326 thousand US dollars.

The market surged in 2021, with imports jumping to 39 997 thousand US dollars and production increasing to 5 976 thousand US dollars, pushing the market size to 43 769 thousand US dollars. In 2022, imports fell to 34 445 thousand US dollars and production dipped to 5 778 thousand US dollars, reducing the market to 37 546 thousand US dollars. During this period, growing demand for paper and cardboard packaging—driven by the shift toward sustainable materials—supported underlying demand for abrasives used in packaging manufacturing, though it did not offset the broader market contraction.

Imports recovered to 35 942 thousand US dollars in 2023 and reached 39 707 thousand US dollars in 2024, indicating renewed market expansion. This rebound aligned with heightened packaging demand from retailers and e‑commerce, as well as the impending EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR 2026), which mandates recyclable design and affects material choices for coated abrasives. Rising raw material costs in the construction sector also influenced production expenses, while new investor interest in Romania’s paper packaging industry pointed to potential future market dynamism.

Production coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

Exports coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Exports of coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base from Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 229 tonnes, which is 3.5% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 32.1%, representing an annualized growth rate of 9.7%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 246 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 3.6% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018 with a 42.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy remained the leading buyer of coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base from Romania, accounting for 72.3% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed among many other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year increase, cross-border shipments of coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base from Romania declined. In 2020, Romania exported 1 828 thousand US dollars worth of these products, down by 3.1% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports grew by 59.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 1 886 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 34.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (50.7% of exports in value), Bulgaria (22.2% of exports in value), and Moldova (13.6% of exports in value) were the top buyers of coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base from Romania. Together, they accounted for 86.4% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year rise, Romania's import volume of coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base declined. In 2020, imports reached 4 044 tonnes, a reduction of 7.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 17.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.4%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 4 378 tonnes. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 24.5% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (19.8% of imports in volume), Italy (16.1% of imports in volume), and France (15.4% of imports in volume) were the main sources for imports in kind, collectively representing 51.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of coated abrasives on textile, paper or other base into Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 31 362 thousand US dollars, down by 2.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 18.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 32 474 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018 with a 22.8% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (25.4% of imports in value), Poland (22.5% of imports in value), and Italy (11.6% of imports in value) contributed the most to imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 59.5% of total import flows.

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

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