Plastic boxes, cases and crates market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the German market for plastic boxes, cases, and crates expanded significantly, with volume growing from 565 thousand tons to 650 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by the booming e-commerce sector, which increased demand for efficient packaging solutions like plastic crates for logistics. Additionally, rising consumer preference for sustainable and reusable packaging, along with EU-wide regulations to minimize packaging waste, stimulated market activity. Innovations such as the introduction of foldable and lightweight pallets by companies like ORBIS in 2021 further enhanced storage and transport efficiency, contributing to market expansion.

After peaking in 2021, the market volume stabilized at 644 thousand tons in 2022 before contracting to 536 thousand tons in 2023 and 498 thousand tons in 2024. During this period, the industry faced increasing legal requirements for sustainability and recycling, including new labeling and packaging regulations in Germany and the EU. While these factors encouraged a shift towards environmentally friendly packaging, the overall market volume declined. Concurrently, continued innovations, such as ORBIS's foldable pallets in 2024 and partnerships to eliminate single-use packaging, highlighted ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and sustainability, even as market size decreased.

Production plastic boxes, cases and crates in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of plastic boxes, cases, and crates declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 2,287 million US dollars, down 3.5% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 0.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2,390 million US dollars, with the largest year-on-year increase of 7.5% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production of plastic boxes, cases, and crates increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output reached 627.1 thousand tonnes, up 1.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%.

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

Exports plastic boxes, cases and crates from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's exports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 295.5 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 3.2% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 4.6%, averaging 1.5% per year. The peak was in 2019 at 305.2 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 6.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export market for plastic boxes, cases, and crates was diverse. The Netherlands accounted for 15.7% of exports, France for 10.8%, and the United Kingdom for 9.7%, together making up just 36.2% of total flows. The remaining 63.8% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

Germany's exports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1,158 million US dollars, a modest decrease of 5.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 2.5%, with an average annual rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1,275 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and the United Kingdom were significant but not dominant buyers of German plastic boxes, cases, and crates. The Netherlands accounted for 13.1% of export value, France for 11.3%, and the United Kingdom for 10.0%, together representing only 34.4% of total exports in value terms.

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 boxes, cases and crates to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's imports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates reached 261.2 thousand tonnes, up 3.2% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 17.2%, averaging 5.4% per year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 15.9%.

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

An analysis of imports from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. The Netherlands accounted for 27.3% of imports, Poland for 11.6%, and Italy for 7.5%, together making up 46.4% of total flows. The remaining 53.6% came from various other partners.

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 imported plastic boxes, cases, and crates worth 765 million US dollars in 2020, a 2.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 11%, with an average annual rate of 3.5%. The highest value was in 2018 at 786 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.9%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's imports of plastic boxes, cases, and crates in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. The Netherlands accounted for 17.9% of imports, Poland for 12.5%, and France for 11.1%, together representing only 41.5% of total flows.

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

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