Finishing agents for textile, paper and leather market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for finishing agents in Romania decreased from 56 770 tons in 2019 to 52 661 tons in 2020. This contraction coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which accelerated digitization in the fashion industry and disrupted traditional demand patterns for textile auxiliaries. Concurrently, the textile sector began adopting more water-saving and low-toxicity finishing techniques, creating a niche for environmentally friendly agents.

By 2022, market volume further declined to 46 646 tons. The raw material crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine raised production costs across the textile supply chain, reducing overall demand for finishing agents. Although Romanian consumers showed growing preference for premium and sustainable products, which supported demand for eco-friendly finishing agents, the overall market size continued to shrink.

In 2024, the market reached 41 291 tons. The Romanian textile industry faced a decline in new orders, directly lowering consumption of finishing agents. Technological advances such as digital textile printing opened new opportunities for specialized agents, but this was insufficient to offset the broader market downturn. In value terms, the market fell from 43.6 million US dollars in 2019 to 35.8 million US dollars in 2024, indicating a possible shift toward higher-value products.

Production finishing agents for textile, paper and leather in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Performance reached its lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a {ampRatio}× difference between these years. In 2020, Romania's output of finishing agents for textile, paper, and leather was valued at 1 352 K $ US, representing a 5.9% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Market performance exhibited notable volatility throughout this period. Production hit its lowest level in 2017 and reached its highest point in 2019, showing a {ampRatio}× amplitude. In 2020, Romania produced 556.4 t of finishing agents for textile, paper, and leather, marking a substantial decline of 22.7% compared to 2019.

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

Exports finishing agents for textile, paper and leather from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2020, showing a 3-fold difference. In 2020, Romania exported 23 080 t of finishing agents for textile, paper, and leather, indicating a sharp increase of 27.1% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 10.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 168.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria (29.3% of exports in kind), Serbia (20.7% of exports in kind), and Germany (11.6% of exports in kind) consistently held the leading positions in Romania's export structure for finishing agents for textile, paper, and leather. Together, these three countries accounted for 61.6% of total export flows.

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

The data reveals irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes showed considerable variation, with the lowest point in 2017 and the highest in 2020, differing by 2.8 times. In 2020, Romania exported 21 221 K $ US worth of finishing agents for textile, paper, and leather, representing a sudden advance of 32.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 121.9%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Bulgaria (27.8% of exports in value terms), Serbia (21.2% of exports in value terms), and Moldova (11.3% of exports in value terms) played the leading roles in Romania's exports of finishing agents for textile, paper, and leather by value. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 60.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports finishing agents for textile, paper and leather to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania's imports of finishing agents for textile, paper, and leather increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 75 185 t, marking a slight increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 32.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia (45.6% of imports in kind), Hungary (21.3% of imports in kind), and Austria (9.9% of imports in kind) were the principal sources for Romania's imports of finishing agents for textile, paper, and leather. Together, these three countries accounted for 76.8% 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

Romania's imports of finishing agents for textile, paper, and leather increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 60 904 K $ US, which is 4.7% higher than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 22%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia (40.3% of imports in value terms), Hungary (16.3% of imports in value terms), and Germany (10.3% of imports in value terms) accounted for the largest share of Romania's imports of finishing agents for textile, paper, and leather by value. Together, these three countries comprised 66.9% 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