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

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the market volume for non-reinforced, non-cellular polyethylene sheets in Germany increased from 755 thousand tons to a peak of 831 thousand tons. Growth was uneven, with a slight dip in 2020 followed by renewed expansion in 2021 and 2022.

By 2024, the market volume had fallen to 752 thousand tons. This decline coincided with a production downturn in Germany's plastics industry, where output contracted by 15.3% in 2023 due to order shortages and economic contraction. Concurrently, the industry adapted to growing demand for sustainable solutions, evidenced by new reporting mandates for recycled content and the development of recyclable materials like ExxonMobil's MDO-PE/PE laminate.

In value terms, the market saw a sharp rise to 2 455 million $ in 2021, nearly 40% above the 2020 level, and remained high in 2022 before decreasing to 1 963 million $ in 2024.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PE sheets in Germany has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 2 892 million US dollars, representing a 4.4% decrease compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.5%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 3 102 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 2.6% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 1 149 thousand tonnes of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PE sheets, showing a slight year-over-year decrease of 1.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production actually increased by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 091 thousand tonnes, while the peak was reached in 2019 with 1 168 thousand tonnes. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a 7.1% rise.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PE sheets amounted to 761.3 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a small decrease of 1.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 3.4%, averaging an annual drop of 1.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 758.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 3.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with exports rising by 1.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's exports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PE sheets were distributed across multiple countries without a single dominant partner. The Netherlands accounted for 10.9% of exports in kind, France for 9.2%, and Poland for 8.7%. Together, these three countries represented just 28.8% of total export flows, highlighting the scattered nature of the export market.

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 export value of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PE sheets has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 086 million US dollars, a decline of 3.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.3%, with an average annual reduction of 2.5%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 2 340 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.0%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 7.5% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Poland were the largest buyers of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PE sheets from Germany in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 9.9% of exports, France for 8.9%, and Poland for 7.8%. However, their combined share was only 26.5% of total export value, reflecting a diversified country structure with no single market dominating.

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 PE sheets to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PE sheets have declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 397.5 thousand tonnes, indicating a slight decrease of 2.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 9.3%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's imports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PE sheets in kind were sourced from a wide range of countries. Poland was the largest supplier with 17.8% of imports, followed by Italy at 15.4% and the Netherlands at 9.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 42.4% of total import flows, demonstrating a lack of concentration in the import structure.

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 import value of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PE sheets has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 946 million US dollars, representing a moderate loss of 5.0% over the past year. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 14.5%, with an average annual reduction of 5.1%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 1 132 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 2.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 12.0% drop.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Germany's imports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PE sheets in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key sources. Poland accounted for 14.0% of imports, Italy for 13.1%, and the Netherlands for 8.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented only 35.7% of total import flows, indicating a diversified import structure.

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

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