Plastic closures market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian plastic closures market experienced a gradual contraction from 2018 to 2020, with its volume decreasing from 89 676 t to 80 480 t.

A period of strong growth followed, with market size jumping to 104 889 t in 2021 and reaching 120 270 t in 2022 before a modest correction to 112 791 t in 2023.

In 2024, market volume rebounded to 124 409 t. This increase aligned with the enforcement of new EU rules, transposed into Belgian law by Royal Decrees in May and June 2024, which require single-use plastic bottle caps to remain attached. The regulation compelled significant producer investments to adapt production lines, such as Coca-Cola's €4.5 million conversion of its Belgian sites, while also driving innovations in fully recyclable PET caps and related recycling infrastructure.

Production plastic closures in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2019, Belgium's plastic closures production reached its lowest value at 150.8 million US dollars, declining by 2.0%. However, in 2020, output rebounded to 160.5 million US dollars, marking a 6.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, production grew by 4.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Belgium's plastic closures production volume increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 59,946 tonnes, showing a slight gain of 2.1% compared to 2019. Between 2018 and 2020, production rose by 2.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 0.8%.

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

Exports plastic closures from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, plastic closures exports from Belgium stood at 31,630 tonnes, representing a modest increase of 0.8% compared to the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 0.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 15.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 16.3%, with an annualized rate of 5.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the top contributors to Belgium's plastic closures exports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 25.1% of exports, France for 23.9%, and Germany for 20.0%, collectively making up 69.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of gains, Belgium's plastic closures exports in value terms declined. In 2020, export volume totaled 194.8 million US dollars, a limited drop of 4.0% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 202.9 million US dollars, with the largest increase occurring in 2018 at 11.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 7.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany formed the main cluster of markets for Belgium's plastic closures exports in value terms. France contributed 29.1% of exports, the Netherlands 15.7%, and Germany 13.9%, together accounting for 58.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports plastic closures to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Plastic closures imports into Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 52,164 tonnes, corresponding to a modest decline of 7.8% compared to 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 62,596 tonnes, with the largest decline in 2019 at 9.6% and the largest increase in 2018 at 24.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 1.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and the Netherlands consistently remained the main destinations for Belgium's plastic closures imports in kind. Germany accounted for 33.9% of imports, France for 20.9%, and the Netherlands for 16.1%, together making up 70.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, plastic closures imports into Belgium amounted to 223.4 million US dollars, indicating a gradual increase of 5.0% over the past year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 4.5%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 5.2%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Germany, and the Netherlands formed the main group of destinations for Belgium's plastic closures imports in value terms. France contributed 28.7% of imports, Germany 26.5%, and the Netherlands 12.2%, collectively accounting for 67.4% of total import flows.

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

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