Mineral wool market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

The Slovak mineral wool market expanded from 44.8 thousand tonnes in 2020 to 67.8 thousand tonnes in 2022. This growth was primarily driven by legislative measures promoting building energy efficiency, which increased demand for insulation materials. Additionally, the market saw rising interest in mineral wool with improved fire‑resistant properties, creating a new product segment. The COVID‑19 pandemic in 2020 temporarily slowed construction activity, but subsequent recovery supported consumption.

Market volume contracted sharply to 41.4 thousand tonnes in 2023, marking a significant correction after the previous expansion. In 2024, the market rebounded to 55.8 thousand tonnes, supported by continued activity from major producers such as Knauf Insulation's plant in Nová Baňa. Legislative changes, including adjustments to the mineral oil tax effective from July 2024 and preparations for the new electronic waste register (ISOH), also influenced market conditions during this period.

Throughout the timeframe, environmental regulations shaped production and waste management. The waste‑management decree MŽP SR No. 344/2022, governing construction and demolition waste, directly affected handling of mineral‑wool residues. Distribution channels evolved with the growth of e‑commerce and new sales models, while ongoing investment in production capacity and technology aimed to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency.

Production mineral wool in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports mineral wool from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Slovakia's mineral wool exports have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 73 797 tonnes, marking a 1.1% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 5.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the three main markets for Slovakia's mineral wool exports in volume terms were Czechia, Hungary, and Slovenia, which together accounted for 61.4% of total exports.

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

Mineral wool exports from Slovakia in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 40 473 thousand US dollars, down 13.2% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 67 583 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 31.0% drop. In contrast, the largest increase was in 2018, with a 63.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top buyers of Slovakia's mineral wool in value terms were Serbia, with 23.2% of exports, Czechia at 19.8%, and Austria with 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented 53.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports mineral wool to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Slovakia's mineral wool imports in volume terms increased in 2020. Imports totaled 15 036 tonnes, up 7.0% from the previous year. However, between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 52%, equivalent to an annualized decrease of 21.7%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 14 053 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 53.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, the main suppliers of mineral wool to Slovakia in volume terms were Poland, accounting for 54.9% of imports, Czechia with 12.7%, and Ukraine at 9.1%. Combined, these three countries made up 76.6% of total imports.

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

Slovakia's mineral wool imports in value terms reached 12 338 thousand US dollars in 2020, showing a modest increase of 8.6% over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 33.3%, with an annualized rate of -12.6%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 11 362 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 22 245 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 48.9% drop, and the largest increase was in 2018 with a 20.3% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the key sources for Slovakia's mineral wool imports in value terms were Poland, representing 46.8% of imports, Czechia at 14.7%, and Ukraine with 7.3%. Together, these three markets accounted for 68.9% of total import value.

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

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