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

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for non-reinforced, non-laminated PET sheets contracted significantly between 2018 and 2024, with volume dropping from 140.2 thousand tons to 90.3 thousand tons. After a sharp decline in 2019 to 114.3 thousand tons, the market slightly decreased further in 2020 before recovering to 136.7 thousand tons in 2021. However, volumes fell again in 2022 and reached a low of 90.3 thousand tons in 2024. In value terms, the market shrank from 306.1 million USD in 2018 to 147.9 million USD in 2024, reflecting similar fluctuations.

In 2023, the industry experienced a notable downturn, with production falling by 15.3% and revenue declining by 21.9% due to persistently weak demand in the European home market. Initial signs of recovery emerged in the second quarter as key customer industries increased their output. Concurrently, there was a growing emphasis on film quality and downgauging of BOPET films to meet higher transparency and tensile strength requirements.

By 2024, a full market recovery had not materialized. The sector faced increasing demand for recyclable and bio-based plastic films, driven by consumer preferences and EU directives against single-use plastics. Regulatory pressures intensified, with the European Commission considering a plastic tax, while global factors such as China's import ban on plastic waste continued to reshape supply chains. These dynamics were accompanied by product innovations like ExxonMobil's recyclable MDO-PE/PE laminate and a shift towards multi-layer films with enhanced barrier properties.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PET sheets was valued at 365.1 million US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 410.7 million US dollars, which represented an 11.3% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.1% drop.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 123.7 thousand tonnes of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PET sheets, marking a 3.1% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 4.6%, averaging an annual decline of 1.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 120.0 thousand tonnes, which saw a 7.7% decline. The peak was in 2018 at 129.9 thousand tonnes.

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

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

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PET sheets from Germany grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export volume reached 157.5 thousand tonnes, up 5.9% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 13.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (12.6% of exports in kind), Italy (9.9%), and France (8.4%) were among the largest buyers of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PET sheets from Germany. However, together they accounted for just 31.0% of total exports in kind, reflecting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

In 2020, the value of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PET sheets exported from Germany reached 633.7 million US dollars, a 9.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 17.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.5%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of exports in value terms was scattered. The United Kingdom (11.9% of exports in value terms), Italy (9.7%), and the United States (9.6%) together accounted for just 31.3% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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 PET sheets to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany imported 157.5 thousand tonnes of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PET sheets, a slight rise of 1.5% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.2%, averaging an annual growth of 0.7%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 157.3 thousand tonnes, which saw a 10.7% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 9.0% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in kind remained scattered. India (12.1% of imports in kind), France (11.3%), and Italy (9.9%) together accounted for just 33.2% of total flows, with no partner standing out as clearly dominant.

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, the value of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PET sheets imported by Germany stood at 469.1 million US dollars, a slight increase of 1.7% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 497.3 million US dollars, which represented a 14.8% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 7.3% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the market base for imports in value terms was wide. The United States (10.1% of imports in value terms), South Korea (9.5%), and Italy (9.1%) jointly accounted for just 28.7% of total flows, with the remaining 71.3% shared by numerous other countries.

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

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