Moulds for rubber or plastics market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for moulds for rubber or plastics contracted sharply in 2020, with market size falling to $326.6 million and production dropping to $181.6 million. Initial pressure came from the 2018 Royal Decree targeting lightweight plastic bag consumption, which aimed to reduce plastic waste and likely tempered demand for production equipment like moulds in the short term.

A recovery unfolded by 2024 as the market size reached $388.6 million and production rose to $217.5 million. This rebound was supported by a series of regulatory measures, including the 2022 Royal Decree transposing EU rules on single-use plastics and the 2023 order setting end-of-waste criteria for recycled plastics. In 2024, new EU regulations banning BPA in food-contact materials and mandating recycled content in packaging, coupled with a noted rise in imports of machinery and moulds for processing plastics and rubber, drove investment in technological renewal and adaptation to circular economy requirements.

Production moulds for rubber or plastics in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Spain, the production of moulds for rubber or plastics has been declining for three consecutive years. In 2020, output was valued at 181.6 million US dollars, marking a significant reduction of 19.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 21.9%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 7.9%.

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

Exports moulds for rubber or plastics from Spain

Exports in kind, t

The export market for moulds for rubber or plastics from Spain showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 5 145 tonnes, with a decline of 28.5% that year. By 2020, export volume surged to 15 637 tonnes, representing a sharp increase of 115.3% compared to 2019. Overall, from 2018 to 2020, the market experienced a threefold difference between peak and trough levels.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain's exports of moulds for rubber or plastics in kind were distributed across numerous countries. The top destinations were Portugal (18.2% of exports in kind), Germany (16.0%), and France (9.4%), but together these three countries accounted for only 43.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of moulds for rubber or plastics exported from Spain totalled 119.4 million US dollars, showing a substantial drop of 18.2% compared to 2019. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 18.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 18.4%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's exports of moulds for rubber or plastics in value terms had a diverse buyer portfolio. The leading markets were France (15.7% of exports in value terms), Morocco (13.4%), and Germany (10.2%), but their combined share was only 39.3% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller, yet notable, shares in the market.

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

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

Imports moulds for rubber or plastics to Spain

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, imports of foreign moulds for rubber or plastics into Spain declined. In 2019, imports peaked at 32 365 tonnes, with the largest increase recorded in 2018 at 12.5%. By 2020, imports fell to approximately 28 291 tonnes, a notable decline of 12.6% compared to 2019. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.2%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the main suppliers of moulds for rubber or plastics to Spain in kind were Portugal (30.1% of imports in kind), China (24.1%), and Germany (14.9%). Together, these three countries accounted for 69.1% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of imported moulds for rubber or plastics in Spain totalled 264.5 million US dollars, reflecting a year-over-year drop of 16.6%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 5.9%. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.3%, which corresponds to an annualized decline rate of 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary sources for imports of moulds for rubber or plastics in value terms were China (40.8% of imports in value terms), Portugal (15.1%), and Italy (8.7%). These three markets together represented 64.7% of total import flows.

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

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