Not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the Belgian market for flexible plastic tubes saw the entry of a new player with RYB launching a production site in Ghent dedicated to a new line of pre-insulated flexible pipes and conduits. Concurrently, circular economy initiatives intensified, including the gradual introduction of the new blue bag for household plastic waste sorting, which helped raise the plastic packaging recycling rate from 43% in 2018 to 54% by 2020. This policy boost increased the reuse of recycled post-consumer plastics by 22% over two years, reaching 190 000 tons in 2020, potentially supporting domestic supply chains for tube manufacturers.

By 2022, the market attracted significant innovation-focused investment when global packaging leader Amcor committed 24 million euros to a research and development center in Ghent, targeting alternative materials and flexible plastics. This move underscored strategic confidence in the sector's evolution. During this mid-period, market volume in physical terms showed resilience, reaching 18 731 tons in 2022, even as domestic production fell to 2 931 tons, indicating a growing reliance on imported products to meet demand.

The market volume then contracted sharply to 13 433 tons in 2023, reflecting a notable dip in apparent consumption. However, a strong rebound followed in 2024, with volume surging to 19 945 tons—the highest level in the observed period—primarily driven by a jump in imports to 24 706 tons, which offset lower domestic output of 2 262 tons.

Production not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Belgium's production of not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings was valued at 43 503 thousand US dollars, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 1.4%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 14.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Belgium produced 6 791 tonnes of not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings, with output remaining largely stable compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's exports of not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings increased for the second consecutive year in 2020. The country exported 5 641 tonnes, marking a significant year-over-year rise of 31.5%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 32.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 4 152 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 2.2% during this period.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and the United States were notable buyers of not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings from Belgium, accounting for 18.5%, 13.9%, and 8.8% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share of 41.1% indicates they were not dominant in the export market.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Belgium's export value of not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings rose for the second year in a row in 2020, reaching 50 468 thousand US dollars, a moderate increase of 3.3% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 5.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 46 101 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.9%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium's export market for not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings was diverse. France, Germany, and Spain were key buyers, contributing 15.1%, 11.8%, and 10.6% of exports in value terms, respectively. Together, they accounted for 37.6% of total exports, while numerous other countries held smaller but still significant shares.

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

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

Imports not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Belgium imported 16 768 tonnes of not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings, a slight decrease of 2.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 7.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 16 533 tonnes, which also recorded the largest decline of 8.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 4.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and the Netherlands were the primary sources for Belgium's imports of not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings in kind, representing 40.9%, 28.5%, and 10.6% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 80.0% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Belgium's import value of not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings stood at 91 594 thousand US dollars, a 12.2% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 81 602 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.0%. The highest value was in 2018 at 91 679 thousand US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the Netherlands formed the main cluster of markets for Belgium's imports of not reinforced flexible tubes and hoses without fittings in value terms, accounting for 33.6%, 29.2%, and 11.2% of imports, respectively. Their combined share totaled 74.0% of total import flows.

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

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