PC in primary forms market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German polycarbonate market was shaped by capacity expansions and external shocks. Covestro's plans to increase production capacity in 2018 aimed to boost output, while the company's launch of the world's first carbon-neutral polycarbonate types from its Uerdingen site in 2019 introduced sustainable innovations. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and caused raw material shortages, leading to a decline in production and market value despite minor volume growth.

The market rebounded sharply in 2021, with volume and value surging as production facilities resumed and customer industries like automotive and electronics recovered. Covestro's delivery of carbon-neutral polycarbonate and Röhm's acquisition of Sabic's polycarbonate sheets and films business strengthened market activity. In 2022, despite a drop in volume, increased demand for medical devices supported market value, and companies like Trinseo commercialized new polystyrene resins to expand product offerings.

Further consolidation occurred in 2023 with Röhm's purchase of Functional Forms from Sabic, and Covestro introduced new polycarbonate grades for healthcare applications. However, market volumes and values continued to decline, reflecting broader adjustments. By 2024, the focus shifted towards sustainability, with Covestro planning to expand mechanical recycling capacities and growing demand for bio-based polycarbonates driven by environmental trends.

Production PC in primary forms in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of PC in primary forms was valued at 596.3 million US dollars, marking a modest increase of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 587.6 million US dollars. Between 2018 and 2020, production decreased by 23.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 8.5%. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 24.4% decrease.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 251.4 thousand tonnes of PC in primary forms, representing a 5.8% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production fell by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.2%.

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

Exports PC in primary forms from Germany

A desk-based market study indicates that Germany did not export any PC in primary forms from 2017 to 2020.

Imports PC in primary forms to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of PC in primary forms declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, with a total volume of {value_last_year} thousand tonnes, down 0.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.8%, equating to an annualized reduction of 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain were the leading sources in Germany's import structure by volume, accounting for 33.0%, 30.3%, and 10.3% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 73.5% of total import flows.

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 imports of PC in primary forms in value terms fell for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling {value_last_year} million US dollars, a 2.7% drop from the previous year. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 542.9 million US dollars, which saw an 8.6% increase that year. Imports then experienced their largest decline in 2019, down 24.5%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 20.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -7.3%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy formed the core of Germany's imports by value, contributing 37.1%, 24.2%, and 10.3% of imports, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 71.5% of total import flows.

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

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