Isocyanates market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German isocyanates market volume increased from 255.1 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 318.9 thousand tons in 2020, supported by product innovations like LANXESS's introduction of low-free isocyanate prepolymers in 2019, which reduced health risks and expanded applications in automotive and construction industries. High demand was maintained in 2021 as post-pandemic recovery boosted construction activity, with completions rising 9.1%, and automotive production grew, supporting consumption for insulation foams and coatings.

Market volume contracted to 281.5 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 211.9 thousand tons in 2024. The mandatory training requirement for handling diisocyanates, enforced from February 2022 under EU Regulation 2020/1149, temporarily constrained usage. Additionally, global raw material price volatility and supply chain disruptions affected product availability and costs, contributing to the decline in physical market size.

Production isocyanates in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's isocyanates production declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 849 million US dollars, down 6.3% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 21%, with an average annual decline of 7.6%. The biggest drop occurred in 2019, at 15.7%, while 2018 saw no change, with a 0.0% increase.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 534.4 thousand tonnes of isocyanates, a slight decrease of 1.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 4.7%, averaging a 1.6% annual decline. The lowest output was in 2018, at 482.8 thousand tonnes, which also marked the largest decline of 13.9%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase, with production rising by 12.1%.

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

Exports isocyanates from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's isocyanates export volume reached 298.1 thousand tonnes in 2020, down 20.4% from the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 12.8%, with an average annual decrease of 4.4%. The peak was in 2019, at 374.6 thousand tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 9.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export structure in volume terms showed a diverse range of partners. Belgium accounted for 12.7% of exports, Poland for 9.8%, and Italy for 9.4%, together making up 31.9% of total flows. The remaining 68.1% was spread across many smaller markets.

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

Isocyanates exports from Germany dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 751 million US dollars, a significant 17.1% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 35.4%, with an average annual fall of 13.6%. The highest value was in 2018, at 1 207 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 3.8%. The biggest decline occurred in 2019, at 24.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's isocyanates exports in value terms were widely distributed across markets. Belgium made up 9.0% of exports, Italy 8.6%, and Poland 7.4%, together accounting for 25.0% 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 isocyanates to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's isocyanates import volume fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 82.5 thousand tonnes, a sharp 15.0% drop from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 24.3%, with an average annual rate of decline of 8.9%. The highest volume was in 2018, at 113.4 thousand tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Hungary were consistently the main sources for Germany's isocyanates imports in volume terms. Belgium accounted for 34.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 29.5%, and Hungary for 14.2%, together making up 78.5% 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 isocyanates import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 204 million US dollars, a 22.5% year-on-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 31.5%, with an average annual decline of 11.9%. The peak was in 2018, at 376 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 26.1%. The biggest drop occurred in 2019, at 29.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Hungary remained the primary sources for Germany's isocyanates imports in value terms. Belgium accounted for 34.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 24.0%, and Hungary for 14.4%, together comprising 72.7% of total imports.

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

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