Plastic bottles and similar articles market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for plastic bottles and similar articles contracted in 2019, with its size falling to 1 681 million US dollars from 1 774 million the previous year. This decline was driven by the introduction of the Packaging Act (VerpackG), which from January 2019 imposed higher recycling quotas and extended producer responsibility for packaging. Market volume then stabilized in 2020 at 1 682 million dollars amid public debate over single-use plastics. A recovery followed in 2021 as the market grew to 1 714 million dollars, supported by the expansion of the deposit obligation to a wider range of single-use beverage containers, which stimulated production of new compliant bottles.

Continued regulatory evolution defined the market from 2022. The mandatory registration for all packaging manufacturers from July 2022 altered supply chain logistics, while the announced EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in 2023 prepared the industry for future recycled-content and tethered cap rules, coinciding with a reported 3.7% drop in plastic bottle production that year. In 2024, the implementation of tethered caps, an extended deposit obligation to milk and dairy bottles, and a new levy on certain single-use plastic food packaging further influenced market conditions, reflected in adjusted import and export flows.

Production plastic bottles and similar articles in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's production of plastic bottles and similar articles reached a value of 1 778 million US dollars, marking a 2.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4.2%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 1 837 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 7.7% occurring that year. In contrast, 2019 saw the most significant decline, with production dropping by 5.3%.

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

Exports plastic bottles and similar articles from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany exported 150.7 thousand tonnes of plastic bottles and similar articles, showing minimal change from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 4.3%, corresponding to a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 150.2 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual decline of 5.4% occurring that year. Conversely, the peak export volume was in 2018 at 158.7 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest annual increase of 0.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France consistently served as the top three markets for Germany's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles in volume terms. Together, these countries accounted for 51.9% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's exports of plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms amounted to 766.5 million US dollars, representing a 1.7% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 6.4%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 797.8 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 10.7%. In 2019, exports saw the most significant decline, falling by 5.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export market for plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms was highly diversified. France, the Netherlands, and Belgium were the leading partners, accounting for 16.3%, 15.9%, and 10.9% of total export value, respectively. However, together they represented only 43.1% of total flows, with the remaining 56.9% distributed across numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports plastic bottles and similar articles to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of growth, Germany's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in volume terms declined in 2020. Imports totaled 150.2 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 36.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 402.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 37.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Austria, Luxembourg, and Czechia were the primary sources for Germany's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in volume terms. Together, these countries accounted for 54.2% of total import flows, with Austria contributing 23.4%, Luxembourg 16.7%, and Czechia 14.1%.

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 plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Imports totaled 670.7 million US dollars, indicating a moderate decrease of 3.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 3.6%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 734.3 million US dollars, which experienced the largest annual increase of 13.5%. In 2019, imports saw the most significant decline, dropping by 5.4%.

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

An analysis of Germany's imports of plastic bottles and similar articles in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across multiple markets. Austria, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg were the top partners, accounting for 11.0%, 10.5%, and 10.4% of total import value, respectively. However, together they represented only 31.9% of total flows, with the remaining 68.1% spread across various other trading partners.

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

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