Market research

Paper finishing agents market in Belgium

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian market for paper finishing agents displayed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2022. Starting at 31.8 million USD in 2018, the market size fell by 24% in 2019 to 24.2 million USD and declined a further 17% in 2020 to 20.2 million USD. A recovery began in 2021 with a 23% increase to 24.8 million USD, followed by a strong 32% surge in 2022, which pushed the market to a peak of 32.8 million USD, exceeding its initial level.

This upward trajectory reversed sharply in 2023 when the market contracted by 41% to 19.4 million USD. The downturn accelerated in 2024, with the market size dropping another 53% to 9.1 million USD, ending the period at less than one-third of its 2022 peak value.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In value
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2024
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2024
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Belgium
  1. 5.1.1. In kind, 2018-2024, t
  2. 5.1.2. In value, 2018-2024, K $ US
2. 5.2. Production in the EU, 2018-2024
  1. 5.2.1. In kind, 2018-2024, t
  2. 5.2.2. In value, 2018-2024, K $ US
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belgium, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, K $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belgium, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belgium, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, K $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Belgium in value, 2018-2024, K $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, K $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belgium, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Belgium by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, K $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, K $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production paper finishing agents in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Belgium's production of paper finishing agents in monetary terms increased in 2020 after two years of decline. Output was valued at 7 994 K $ US, marking a modest 5.3% rise compared to 2019. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 7.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 595 K $ US, with the largest year-on-year drop of 10.3% also occurring that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(1.9%)	(10.3%)	5.3%	(2.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In physical terms, Belgium's production of paper finishing agents rose in 2020 following a two-year decline. The country produced 4 683 tonnes, reflecting a 3.2% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 21.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of decline of 7.9%. The minimum output was recorded in 2019 at 4 539 tonnes, while the largest year-on-year decrease of 13.0% occurred in 2018.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(13.0%)	(12.9%)	3.2%	(7.9%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports paper finishing agents from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Belgium's exports of paper finishing agents in physical terms declined in 2020. Exports stood at 2.6 K tonnes, representing a sharp decrease of 35.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 12%, which corresponds to an annualized decline of 4.2%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 4.1 K tonnes, when exports surged by 34.8% year-on-year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	0.8%	34.8%	(35.2%)	(4.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands were the leading destinations for Belgium's exports of paper finishing agents in physical terms. France accounted for 28.1% of exports, Germany for 18.0%, and the Netherlands for 12.8%. Together, these three countries represented 59.0% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, K $ US

In monetary terms, Belgium's exports of paper finishing agents reached 7 582 K $ US in 2020, showing a gradual increase of 5.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 7 192 K $ US, when exports fell by 13.6% year-on-year. In contrast, the highest value was in 2018 at 8 329 K $ US, with a year-on-year increase of 12.2% that year.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	12.2%	(13.6%)	5.4%	0.7%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the top destinations for Belgium's exports of paper finishing agents in value terms. France held a 27.9% share, Germany 16.7%, and the United Kingdom 10.6%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 55.2% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports paper finishing agents to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of paper finishing agents in physical terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2020. Import volume reached 178.8 K tonnes, reflecting a robust decrease of 19.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 39.5%, with a compound annual decline rate (CAGR) of 15.4%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(10.3%)	(15.8%)	(19.9%)	(15.4%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands was the nearly exclusive supplier of paper finishing agents to Belgium in physical terms, accounting for 97.3% of total imports.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, K $ US

Belgium's imports of paper finishing agents in monetary terms declined for the third year in a row in 2020. The country imported a total of 19 766 K $ US, which is 17.1% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 39.7%, with a compound annual decline rate (CAGR) of 15.5%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(3.4%)	(24.8%)	(17.1%)	(15.5%)

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands remained the primary source for Belgium's imports of paper finishing agents in value terms, with a share of 79.4% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed among numerous other destinations.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io