Plastic household articles and hygienic or toilet articles market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German market for plastic household and hygienic articles was shaped by initial consumer shifts toward eco-friendly products and the onset of the EU Plastics Strategy aimed at reducing waste and boosting recycling. The strategy's implementation in 2020 contributed to a contraction in market volume, yet the market value rose as manufacturers and consumers adapted by转向 more sustainable and often higher-value materials.

The period from 2021 to 2022 saw significant regulatory action with Germany's ban on specific single-use plastic items like straws and cutlery, coupled with the announcement of new production facilities for recycled polymers. These moves, alongside sustained demand for disposable tableware driven by outdoor dining and hygiene concerns post-COVID-19, supported a recovery in market volume and continued growth in market value, reflecting a pivot toward innovative and premium sustainable solutions.

Entering 2023 and 2024, strong regulatory momentum intensified with the introduction of Germany's Single-Use Plastic Fund Act, extended deposit schemes, and the forthcoming EU Packaging Regulation. These measures, designed to curb plastic consumption and enhance recycling, directly led to a notable decline in both the physical volume and monetary value of the market by 2024, as the industry adjusted to tightened environmental compliance and shifting production landscapes.

Production plastic household and hygienic articles in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of plastic household and hygienic or toilet articles was valued at 652.4 million US dollars, marking a 3.1% increase compared to 2019.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Germany produced 132.9 thousand tonnes of plastic household and hygienic or toilet articles, representing a substantial 13.9% decline from the previous year.

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

Exports plastic household and hygienic articles from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of plastic household and hygienic or toilet articles grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 54.0 thousand tonnes, up 9.8% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 11.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports in kind were distributed across various countries without a clear dominant partner. France accounted for 13.6% of exports in kind, Austria for 12.4%, and Switzerland for 10.1%, with these three countries together making up just 36.1% of total flows.

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

In 2020, Germany's exports of plastic household and hygienic or toilet articles were valued at 442.6 million US dollars, showing a 16.5% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 3.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Austria, and the United Kingdom were notable but not dominant buyers of plastic household and hygienic or toilet articles from Germany in value terms. France accounted for 12.3% of exports in value, Austria for 11.7%, and the United Kingdom for 7.7%, with their combined share reaching only 31.7% of total exports in value.

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 household and hygienic articles to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of plastic household and hygienic or toilet articles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 54.0 thousand tonnes, which is 17.1% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 27.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Poland, and Italy played leading roles in Germany's imports in kind of plastic household and hygienic or toilet articles. China accounted for 20.2% of imports in kind, Poland for 17.7%, and Italy for 13.2%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 51.2% of total flows.

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

In 2020, Germany's imports of plastic household and hygienic or toilet articles were recorded at 549.5 million US dollars, representing a 22.8% increase relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 32.2%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 9.7%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 0.2%.

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

The data from 2017 to 2020 show that Germany's imports in value terms of plastic household and hygienic or toilet articles were not heavily concentrated on a few key sources. China accounted for 23.5% of imports in value, Poland for 14.2%, and Italy for 8.7%, with these three countries together making up 46.4% 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