Mineral wool market in Hungary

Earlier Report Observations

In the pre-pandemic period, high levels of construction investment supported the volume of the mineral wool market in Hungary. The first signs of strain in global supply chains began to emerge by 2019. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 severely disrupted these chains, causing supply shortages and price increases, yet the simultaneous restart of delayed construction projects triggered an unexpected surge in demand, pushing market volume upward.

Post-pandemic influences continued to shape the market into 2022, when rising energy prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict significantly increased production costs. Amid ongoing supply challenges, major producers such as ROCKWOOL and Knauf introduced new product lines with eco-friendly ECOSE binders, responding to growing consumer demand for sustainable and fire-resistant solutions. By 2023, a decline in overall demand led to a correction in market prices and volumes.

By 2024, the Hungarian mineral wool market showed signs of recovery, with volume returning to above 81 thousand tons, indicating the industry's adaptation to new economic conditions and persistent demand for energy-efficient building materials.

Production mineral wool in Hungary

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Hungary's mineral wool production value rebounded after two years of decline. In 2021, output reached 34 378 thousand US dollars, marking a robust 15.4% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 6.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 29 800 thousand US dollars, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019 with a 17.4% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Mineral wool production in Hungary grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, Hungary produced 52 245 tonnes of mineral wool, showing a moderate 4.7% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 3.6%, averaging a 1.2% annual growth rate. The lowest output was in 2019 at 49 402 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.0% that year.

Annual dynamics of production in Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports mineral wool from Hungary

Exports in kind, t

Hungary's mineral wool exports fell for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports totaled 10 647 tonnes, down 23.5% from the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 27.2%, with an average annual decline of 10.0%. The peak was in 2019 at 18 780 tonnes, followed by the largest drop of 25.9% in 2020. In contrast, 2019 recorded the biggest increase of 28.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Romania, Czechia, and Bulgaria were the top buyers of Hungarian mineral wool by volume. Romania accounted for 32.1% of exports, Czechia for 14.6%, and Bulgaria for 9.5%, together making up 56.2% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Hungary's mineral wool export value declined for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports amounted to 10 961 thousand US dollars, reflecting a modest 6.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.3%. The highest value was in 2019 at 13 628 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline of 13.7% occurred in 2020. In 2019, exports saw the biggest increase of 9.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Romania, Austria, and Czechia were the leading destinations for Hungarian mineral wool exports by value. Romania represented 28.5% of exports, Austria 12.4%, and Czechia 10.5%, collectively accounting for 51.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Hungary in value, 2018-2021

Imports mineral wool to Hungary

Imports in kind, t

Hungary's mineral wool imports rebounded after two years of decline. In 2021, imports reached 40 274 tonnes, a significant 45.2% increase year-over-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 20.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 27 732 tonnes, and the largest decline of 16.6% was recorded in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018-2021, Slovakia, Poland, and Germany were the main sources of mineral wool imports to Hungary by volume. Slovakia supplied 40.4% of imports, Poland 20.3%, and Germany 8.6%, together representing 69.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Hungary's mineral wool import value increased after two years of decrease. In 2021, imports registered 54 809 thousand US dollars, up 46.3% compared to 2020. The lowest value was in 2020 at 37 472 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 18.3% that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Japan, Slovakia, and Poland formed the core group of markets for Hungary's mineral wool imports by value. Japan accounted for 49.0% of imports, Slovakia for 13.5%, and Poland for 12.8%, together making up 75.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Hungary in value, 2018-2021