Not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Belgian market for non-reinforced non-cellular PS sheets was shaped by steady construction sector demand, primarily due to regional legal requirements for thermal insulation in buildings. These regulations mandated specific thermal resistance values, supporting the use of expanded polystyrene panels for walls, floors, and roofs. Concurrently, the development of local recycling infrastructure for plastics, including polystyrene, enhanced secondary raw material availability and promoted circular economy practices. The global pandemic in 2020 caused supply chain disruptions, but domestic production capacity helped maintain stability, with market size growing to 75.2 million USD.

Market size surged to 85.0 million USD in 2021. In 2022, despite continuing regulatory pressure for energy-efficient insulation and ongoing innovation from major producers focusing on sustainability and recyclability, the market contracted to 75.3 million USD. The local recycling ecosystem remained a supportive element for the industrial network.

A sharp downturn followed from 2023 onward, with market size declining to 51.3 million USD in 2023 and further to 45.7 million USD in 2024.

Production not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, Belgium's output of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets reached its minimum value at 102.3 million US dollars. The following year, in 2020, production increased slightly to 103.7 million US dollars, marking a 1.4% uptick compared to 2019. The peak was recorded earlier in 2018 at 107.0 million US dollars, which represented the largest increase of 4.6%. Conversely, the most significant decline occurred in 2019 with a drop of 4.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Belgium's production volume of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets has been declining for two consecutive years. In 2018, output peaked at 42 316 tonnes, showing the largest increase of 1.0%. By 2020, production fell to 40 363 tonnes, a moderate decrease of 3.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%.

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

Exports not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Exports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets from Belgium have declined for three consecutive years. In 2020, export volumes totaled 33 308 tonnes, showing little to no change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Italy remained the leading destinations for Belgium's exports in kind of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets. France accounted for 46.2% of exports, Germany for 15.7%, and Italy for 5.3%. Together, these three countries represented 67.2% of total export flows.

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

Exports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets from Belgium have declined for three consecutive years in value terms. In 2020, exports amounted to 69 037 thousand US dollars, which is 8.5% weaker year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 27.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Italy played the leading roles in Belgium's exports in value terms of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets. France contributed 40.2% of exports, Germany 17.0%, and Italy 7.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 64.6% of total export flows.

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 or laminated non-cellular PS sheets to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year reduction, Belgium's imports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets increased in 2020. Imports reached 12 673 tonnes, up by 2.4% compared to 2019. The lowest point was recorded in 2019 at 12 380 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 28.2%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 37.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Italy, and Germany were the principal sources for Belgium's imports in kind of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets. France made up 41.9% of imports, Italy 16.5%, and Germany 12.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 70.8% 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

Belgium's imports of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets have declined for three consecutive years in value terms. In 2020, imports amounted to 40 464 thousand US dollars, representing a 6.9% drop from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 33.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.7%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Italy consistently occupied leading positions in Belgium's imports in value terms of not reinforced or laminated non-cellular PS sheets. France accounted for 35.2% of imports, Germany for 23.0%, and Italy for 14.5%. Jointly, these three countries represented 72.7% 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