PE sacks and bags market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market volume for PE sacks and bags in the Netherlands more than doubled, reaching 115.7 thousand tonnes. This surge was primarily fueled by a sharp rise in imports, which grew from 136.6 thousand tonnes to 190.4 thousand tonnes, while exports fell from 157.5 thousand tonnes to 133.1 thousand tonnes. Domestic production saw a modest decline from 61.9 to 58.5 thousand tonnes. Regulatory actions, including the EU-wide ban on free lightweight plastic bags effective from 2016 and the broader EU strategy to cut plastic waste, redirected the market toward more sustainable packaging solutions. In 2019, Unilever's public commitment to reduce its use of virgin fossil-based plastic intensified pressure across the supply chain to incorporate recycled materials.

Following 2020, import volumes continued to climb, peaking at 278.7 thousand tonnes in 2022 before dipping to 208.8 thousand tonnes in 2023 and recovering to 274.9 thousand tonnes by 2025. Exports, after a further drop in 2021, gradually increased. The 2020 Dutch Chemical Recycling Roadmap set specific targets for recycled content, encouraging investment in recycling infrastructure. By 2024, new guidelines for plastic packaging from the RIVM emphasized circular economy principles, affecting production standards. In 2025, amendments to waste tax rules and EU regulations mandating measures to prevent plastic pellet losses began reshaping the operational landscape for producers, alongside the emergence of startups like Syclus aiming to supply bio-based and recycled feedstocks.

Production PE sacks and bags in the Netherlands

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In the Netherlands, the production value of PE sacks and bags reached 157.2 million US dollars in 2020, showing a modest increase of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, production declined by 9.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 155.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

The Netherlands experienced a second consecutive year of decline in PE sacks and bags production. In 2020, the country produced 58 489 tonnes, representing a 1.1% decrease compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2020, overall production fell by 5.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports PE sacks and bags from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

The Netherlands saw a third consecutive year of decline in foreign supplies of PE sacks and bags. In 2021, exports amounted to 109.8 thousand tonnes, marking a 17.5% drop compared to 2020. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 30.3%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium, Germany, and France consistently led the country structure of exports in kind for PE sacks and bags from the Netherlands. Belgium accounted for 35.4% of exports, Germany for 25.6%, and France for 9.2%, together making up 70.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, PE sacks and bags deliveries from the Netherlands increased in 2021. Exports reached 412.8 million US dollars, showing a significant advance of 32.6% over the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 10.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 311.3 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 11.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Belgium, Germany, and France were the main destinations in the geographical breakdown of exports in value terms for PE sacks and bags from the Netherlands. Belgium accounted for 22.7% of exports, Germany for 19.8%, and France for 13.1%, together representing 55.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Imports PE sacks and bags to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

The Netherlands experienced a third consecutive year of increase in PE sacks and bags shipments from abroad. In 2021, imports reached 235.7 thousand tonnes, which is 23.8% higher year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 72.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 19.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Germany, Poland, and China remained the main markets for imports in kind of PE sacks and bags to the Netherlands. Germany accounted for 32.6% of imports, Poland for 12.6%, and China for 10.1%, together taking 55.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The Netherlands saw a second consecutive year of increase in PE sacks and bags shipments from abroad. In 2021, imports amounted to 525.4 million US dollars, up by 31.3% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 32.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 396.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 0.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the three largest markets for imports in value terms of PE sacks and bags to the Netherlands were Germany, China, and Poland. Together, they accounted for 50.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021