Non-cellular plastic sheets market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for non-cellular plastic sheets and films in Germany expanded from $1,890 million US in 2019 to $2,425 million US in 2021, driven by industry-wide shifts toward circular economy goals set in 2018 and reinforced by growing demand for recyclable packaging. Innovations like ExxonMobil's recyclable MDO-PE/PE laminate for food and liquids opened new product segments, while capacity strengthening through acquisitions such as LAMILUX's purchase of Roda supported production growth.

Market volume peaked at $2,444 million US in 2022 before falling to $2,087 million US in 2024. Supply chain disruptions and raw material price hikes constrained growth, and the industry faced a 15.3% production reduction in 2023 due to economic headwinds and order shortages. New EU regulations on packaging sustainability and labeling, along with discussions on a plastic tax, added regulatory pressure, though a mild recovery was noted in the second quarter of 2024.

Production non-cellular plastic sheets in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output of non-cellular plastic sheets was valued at 2,866 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 0.7% increase from the previous year.

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

Exports non-cellular plastic sheets from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of non-cellular plastic sheets from Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 398.6 thousand tonnes, down 8.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 434.9 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 1.2% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the structure of Germany's non-cellular plastic sheets exports in kind was diversified. The Netherlands accounted for 10.4% of exports, Poland for 10.3%, and France for 9.8%, with these three countries together making up just 30.4% of total flows, indicating no single country held a clearly dominant position.

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

Germany's exports of non-cellular plastic sheets in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 2,006 million US dollars, a 3.7% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 5.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 2,258 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 6.4% that year and the largest decline of 7.8% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's exports of non-cellular plastic sheets in value terms were not heavily concentrated. France accounted for 9.3% of exports, the United States for 8.6%, and the Netherlands for 8.6%, with these three countries together capturing only 26.4% 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 non-cellular plastic sheets to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of non-cellular plastic sheets into Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 257.0 thousand tonnes, showing negligible variation from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.5%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 267.7 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 9.0% that year and the largest decline of 3.8% in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's imports of non-cellular plastic sheets in kind were characterized by a broad spread across markets. Italy accounted for 17.5% of imports, Switzerland for 16.2%, and Austria for 11.9%, with these three countries together representing only 45.5% 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 imports of non-cellular plastic sheets in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 1,094 million US dollars, corresponding to a slight decrease of 2.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 4.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.5%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 1,162 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 11.0% that year and the largest decline of 3.0% in 2019.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany's imports of non-cellular plastic sheets in value terms relied on a wide range of partner countries. Switzerland accounted for 17.3% of imports, Italy for 15.3%, and Austria for 12.2%, with these three countries together taking just 44.8% of total flows.

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

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