Plastic closures market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The Romanian plastic closures market grew steadily from 2018 to 2021, reaching a peak volume of 26,579 t in 2021. This expansion was driven by industry preparations for the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, which mandated a shift to attached caps. Major player Coca-Cola Romania began developing and investing in local production of these caps as early as 2018, stimulating imports of components and equipment. The successful launch of attached caps in Spain in 2021 and their subsequent introduction in Romania further boosted import volumes to 21,349 t that year.

From 2022 onward, the market contracted, falling to 18,055 t by 2024. This decline coincided with the national rollout of attached caps for Coca-Cola brands in 2022 and the impending EU rule that made attached caps mandatory for single-use plastic bottles from July 2024. The transition to the new cap design altered demand patterns and contributed to a sharp drop in domestic production, which fell from 10,371 t in 2021 to 6,547 t in 2024, while imports also gradually receded.

In value terms, the market followed a different trajectory. After a dip in 2019-2020, it climbed to $105.8 million in 2022, reflecting higher prices for the more complex attached caps. By 2024, however, the market value decreased to $88.9 million, aligning with the lower physical volume.

Production plastic closures in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

After two years of growth, plastic closures production in Romania experienced a decline. In 2020, output was valued at 30 857 K $ US, marking a modest year-over-year drop of 7.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 33 404 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Plastic closures production in Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Romania produced 9 717 t of plastic closures, representing a slight drop of 1.3% compared to the previous year. The highest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 10 143 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.9%, while the largest increase was also in 2018 at 5.2%.

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

Exports plastic closures from Romania

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Romania's cross-border shipments of plastic closures amounted to 4 888 t, showing a 6.1% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 4 607 t, while the peak was in 2018 at 6 500 t. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 29.1%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 34.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Hungary, and France formed the key group of partners for Romania's plastic closures exports in kind. Bulgaria accounted for 20.6% of exports, Hungary for 20.1%, and France for 9.7%. Together, these three countries represented 50.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's cross-border shipments of plastic closures amounted to 15 202 K $ US, showing little to no change year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 2.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 14 185 K $ US, while the peak was in 2019 at 15 275 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 4.6%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 7.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania traded plastic closures with many countries, and even the largest destinations—Hungary, Bulgaria, and France—together represented only 45.0% of total exports in value terms.

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

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

Imports plastic closures to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, plastic closures imports to Romania increased. In 2020, imports totaled 17 945 t, marking a 28.3% rise year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 8.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.9%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 986 t, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 23.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for plastic closures imports in kind to Romania were Hungary, Germany, and Bulgaria. Hungary accounted for 35.1% of imports, Germany for 11.0%, and Bulgaria for 10.6%. Together, these three countries represented 56.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Plastic closures import volumes to Romania declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume totaled 64 849 K $ US, down by 4.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 9.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.2%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 77 554 K $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.4%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 31.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Hungary, and France were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of plastic closures imports in value terms to Romania. Germany accounted for 26.0% of imports, Hungary for 17.4%, and France for 7.5%. Together, these three countries represented 50.8% of total import flows.

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

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