Plastic closures market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Austrian plastic closures market was shaped by the European Plastics Strategy and new EU packaging requirements, which heightened focus on recycling and circular economy. High public willingness for waste sorting supported demand, while the material advantages of plastic closures—like light weight and cost—helped them gain market share from traditional closure types. These regulatory and consumer shifts began influencing production and design toward more sustainable solutions.

The period from 2021 to 2022 saw tightened regulatory demands under the EU circular economy framework and continued shifts in consumer preference toward environmental awareness, which stimulated further innovation in closure design and materials. Although the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the broader plastics industry in 2021, it also accelerated investments in recyclable materials and recycling technologies for closures. Ongoing implementation of EU rules on recycling quotas and labeling, along with new traceability requirements, drove market adaptations and investments in improved recyclability.

By 2023 and into 2024, the plastic closures market demonstrated resilience. Continued investment in innovative materials and technologies to meet circular economy goals supported production growth, even as the broader Austrian plastics sector experienced a recession in 2023 due to global supply chain disruptions and high raw material prices. Market size in volume terms expanded from 40 136 t in 2020 to 45 330 t in 2024, aided by EU regulatory momentum and sustained demand, while the 2024 collective agreement in the plastics processing industry, which raised minimum wages, introduced new cost pressures.

Production plastic closures in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports plastic closures from Austria

Exports in kind, t

Austria's exports of plastic closures declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 25 286 tons, remaining stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 15.5%, which translates to an average annual increase of 4.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 29 630 tons, marking a 35.3% increase from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline, with exports dropping by 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland were the top buyers of plastic closures from Austria, accounting for 54.8% of total exports in volume. Germany led with 41.9% of exports, followed by the Czech Republic at 7.0% and Switzerland at 6.0%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of plastic closures exported from Austria reached 120.7 million US dollars, showing a slight increase of 0.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 4.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The peak value was in 2018 at 152.0 million US dollars, representing a 31.5% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 21.3%.

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

In value terms, Austria's exports of plastic closures from 2017 to 2020 were widely distributed across destinations. Germany accounted for 32.8% of export value, the United States for 7.0%, and Switzerland for 6.8%, together making up 46.6% of total flows. The remaining 53.4% was spread among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports plastic closures to Austria

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Austria's imports of plastic closures in volume declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 19 218 tons, a decrease of 9.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 5.8%, averaging 1.9% per year. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 21 199 tons, while the largest increase was in 2018, with an 11.5% rise.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Hungary, and France were the leading suppliers of plastic closures to Austria in volume terms, together representing 74.0% of total imports. Germany dominated with 56.0%, followed by Hungary at 10.6% and France at 7.4%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Austria's imports of plastic closures in value terms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 111.0 million US dollars, down 4.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value grew by 4.4%, with an average annual rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 117.6 million US dollars, reflecting a 10.6% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and France remained the primary sources for Austria's imports of plastic closures in value terms, collectively accounting for 71.3% of total imports. Germany held 55.0%, Hungary 8.6%, and France 7.7%.

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

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