Not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, the market volume for non-reinforced polycarbonate sheets in Germany stood at 31.6 thousand tonnes. It declined to 26.8 thousand tonnes in 2019, influenced by broader economic headwinds that reduced demand in key consuming sectors such as construction and electronics. However, the market surged to 35.1 thousand tonnes in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a spike in demand for polycarbonate sheets used for protective screens and partitions in public and private facilities.

Following this peak, the market contracted to 30.8 thousand tonnes in 2021 as demand for protective barriers normalized and global supply-chain disruptions persisted. The decline deepened to 25.9 thousand tonnes in 2022, driven by high production costs in Germany that eroded competitiveness, alongside tightening regulatory requirements for plastic products in preparation for European circular-economy rules. During this period, new suppliers entered the market, offering innovative and more sustainable products.

Market volume fell further to 20.0 thousand tonnes in 2023, despite some signs of recovery in production, as high costs and ongoing structural shifts in the industry continued to weigh. By 2024, the market stabilized at 19.2 thousand tonnes, with the slowdown in the decline partly attributable to steady demand for polycarbonate sheets in outdoor leisure projects and construction applications. Additionally, the EU Bedarfsgegenständeverordnung (Consumer Goods Regulation) was published in February 2024, setting new requirements for polycarbonate products upon its entry into force in July.

Production not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets was valued at 133.4 million US dollars in 2020, marking a year-over-year increase of 12.8%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 118.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Following a two-year decline, Germany's production of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets rebounded. In 2020, 24,604 tonnes were produced, representing a robust uptick of 19.2% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 20,636 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 5.1%.

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

Exports not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets from Germany

Exports in kind, t

After a two-year fall, Germany's exports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets in volume terms increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 16,698 tonnes, showing a solid gain of 19.8% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 17.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 13,942 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 1.6%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Germany's exports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets in volume terms were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Czechia accounted for 13.8% of exports, Italy for 11.8%, and Belgium for 7.7%, with these three countries together representing only 33.3% of total flows.

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 not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 123.3 million US dollars, a contraction of 6.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 146.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets in value terms were distributed across a wide set of partner countries. Italy accounted for 8.7% of exports, France for 8.4%, and Czechia for 7.6%, with these three countries together representing just 24.7% 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 not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets to Germany

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany's imports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets in volume terms totaled 27,218 tonnes, indicating a sudden advance of 35.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 20,139 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 16.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium was the main market for Germany's imports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets in volume terms, accounting for 26.6% of imports, followed by the Netherlands at 15.4% and Sweden at 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented 51.1% 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

In 2020, Germany imported not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets valued at 156.6 million US dollars, equivalent to an increase of 26.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 123.4 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 13.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was among the largest suppliers of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PC sheets to Germany in value terms, accounting for 20.3% of imports, followed by Belgium at 15.9% and Singapore at 11.6%. Even together, these three countries represented just 47.7% of total imports in value terms, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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