Plastic closures market in Lithuania

Earlier Report Observations

The Lithuanian plastic closures market grew consistently from 2018 to 2021, with its value increasing from $5.6 million to $11.7 million. This expansion was supported by the European Commission's initiative to promote recycled plastic use in new products, including closures, which aimed to incorporate 10 million tons of recycled plastic into the market by 2025. Concurrently, rising consumption of single-use plastic items, such as caps, contributed to higher demand.

A sharp reversal occurred from 2022, as the market value dropped to $9.2 million that year and further to $3.1 million in 2023. The decline was driven by new EU restrictions banning specific single-use plastic products, including certain lids, which took effect between 2021 and 2024, directly reducing domestic consumption. Additionally, geopolitical factors from the war in Ukraine introduced supply chain uncertainties and price volatility, disrupting production and trade in the plastic closures sector.

By 2024, the market contracted to $1.1 million, with the continued implementation of EU regulations on recycled plastic content and single-use plastic limitations reshaping industry dynamics. The Lithuanian plastics industry's shift towards using secondary plastic, while aligning with EU directives, encountered quality assurance challenges during this transition.

Production plastic closures in Lithuania

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Lithuania's plastic closures production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 30 294 thousand US dollars, showing a moderate rise of 6.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, production grew by 13.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Plastic closures production in Lithuania has risen for the third year in a row. In 2021, Lithuania produced 10 178 tonnes of plastic closures, representing a 2.0% increase from the year before. From 2018 to 2021, production expanded by 16.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports plastic closures from Lithuania

Exports in kind, t

Lithuania's volume of plastic closures exports has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports reached 11 385 tonnes, showing a slight advance of 0.7% compared to 2020. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 088 tonnes, with the largest decline of 1.9% occurring that year. In contrast, the largest increase of 1.9% was observed in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Sweden, and Finland were among the largest buyers of plastic closures from Lithuania, accounting for 12.8%, 9.5%, and 9.2% of exports in kind, respectively. However, even combined, they represented just 31.5% of total exports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decrease, foreign plastic closures supplies from Lithuania have increased. In 2021, exports reached 39 684 thousand US dollars, equivalent to a rise of 5.9% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 37 473 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 6.1% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018–2021, exports in value terms of plastic closures from Lithuania were spread relatively evenly. Russia, Germany, and Sweden accounted for 16.3%, 11.2%, and 8.7% of exports in value terms, respectively, but together they represented only 36.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports plastic closures to Lithuania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year drop, plastic closures volumes in Lithuania have increased. In 2021, imports came to 5 999 tonnes, marking a steep advance of 48.2% relative to the prior year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 35.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.6%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2020 at 4 047 tonnes, with the largest decline of 7.4% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2018–2021, Poland, Ukraine, and Italy formed the main group of destinations for imports in kind of plastic closures to Lithuania. Poland accounted for 55.5% of imports in kind, Ukraine for 7.6%, and Italy for 7.0%, with a combined share of 70.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, Lithuania's plastic closures imports have increased. In 2021, imports registered 21 138 thousand US dollars, amounting to a solid advance of 20.1% compared to 2020. Over the period 2018-2021, imports increased by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 17 604 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline of 8.1% occurring in 2019.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Lithuania in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Over 2018–2021, Poland, Italy, and Germany stood out as the main markets for imports in value terms. Poland accounted for 43.5% of imports in value terms, Italy for 10.3%, and Germany for 10.2%, together representing 64.0% of total flows.

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

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