Organic solvents and paint removers market in Bulgaria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Bulgarian market for organic solvents and paint removers more than halved in volume, a decline primarily driven by the tightening EU-wide regulation of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The implementation of the Bulgarian Ordinance limiting VOC use in paints, varnishes, and vehicle refinishing products required operators to adopt solvent management plans and shifted demand toward compliant, often lower-volume, formulations.

A temporary recovery in market volume occurred in 2021, coinciding with the introduction of new, more efficient, and environmentally compliant paint and varnish removers. This expansion was supported by official notifications from regional environmental inspectorates reminding companies of their obligations under the VOC ordinance. Subsequently, from 2022 onward, the market resumed its downward trajectory as stricter enforcement of VOC limits, new hazardous waste management rules, and updated chemical labeling regulations further constrained conventional solvent use.

By 2024, with the final compliance deadline for VOC management plans (March 31, 2024) approaching, the market consolidated around safer, low-VOC alternatives. This ongoing regulatory pressure and a sustained consumer shift toward ecological products solidified a long-term trend of declining physical volumes, even as the market value remained relatively supported by the higher cost of specialized, compliant formulations.

Production organic solvents and paint removers in Bulgaria

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Bulgaria's production of organic solvents and paint removers declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 9 420 K $ US, marking a 39.0% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 24.2%, with an average annual decline of 8.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 16 664 K $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 34.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Production of organic solvents and paint removers in Bulgaria dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Bulgaria produced 9 057 tonnes, representing a 47.7% fall from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 33.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.6%. The peak was in 2018 with 17 500 tonnes, when the largest increase of 29.2% occurred.

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

Exports organic solvents and paint removers from Bulgaria

Exports in kind, t

After rising for two years, Bulgaria's exports of organic solvents and paint removers declined. In 2020, exports reached 6 765 tonnes, a sharp drop of 58.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 39.9%, with an average annual decrease of 15.6%. The highest level was in 2019 at 16 279 tonnes, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 24.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Greece dominated Bulgaria's exports in kind, accounting for 83.6% of total flows, with other partners holding relatively minor shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Following two years of growth, Bulgaria's export volumes of organic solvents and paint removers declined. In 2020, exports were valued at 6 734 K $ US, a steep drop of 58.4% from the year earlier. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 40.1%, with an average annual decline of 15.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 16 178 K $ US, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 29.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Greece accounted for 80.6% of Bulgaria's total exports in value terms, with the remaining flows distributed among a broad group of smaller countries.

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

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

Imports organic solvents and paint removers to Bulgaria

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Bulgaria's imports of organic solvents and paint removers amounted to 2 636 tonnes, a 64.2% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 56.1%, with an average annual decline of 24.0%. The highest level was in 2019 at 7 362 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 35.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Greece, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Austria—together absorbed 51.8% of Bulgaria's total imports in kind of organic solvents and paint removers.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Bulgaria's imports of organic solvents and paint removers totalled 6 245 K $ US, indicating a 42.9% reduction compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 34.2%, with an average annual decline of 13.0%. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 10 938 K $ US, when the largest increase of 18.1% occurred.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the market base for Bulgaria's imports in value terms was wide, with Germany (18.0%), Greece (15.5%), and Italy (14.3%) jointly accounting for 47.8% of total flows, while the remaining 52.2% was shared by numerous other countries.

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

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