Plastic household articles and hygienic or toilet articles market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic household and hygienic articles in Romania expanded consistently from 18 888 t in 2018 to 23 898 t in 2021. This growth period preceded the introduction of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive into Romanian law, which from July 2021 imposed mandatory marking for specific disposable items and extended producer responsibility schemes, beginning to reshape the regulatory landscape.

A significant market correction occurred in 2022, with volume falling 21% to 18 866 t. This decline coincided with the initial phase of quantitative reduction targets for single-use plastics and a rising consumer preference for sustainable packaging. In parallel, major manufacturer Interstar România modernized its production lines and launched new cleaning and hygiene products, indicating strategic adaptation to these trends.

After a modest recovery to 19 193 t in 2023, the market volume surged by 30% to 24 998 t in 2024. This strong growth unfolded as further EU regulations took effect, including new eco-design requirements for plastic bottles and broader packaging waste rules, influencing both market composition and import dynamics.

Production plastic household and hygienic articles in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Romania, the production value of plastic household and hygienic articles reached 32 334 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a significant 27.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 21.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 25 443 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 20.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Romania's production of plastic household and hygienic articles increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 13 365 tonnes, up 20.4% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 20.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.4%. The lowest output was in 2018 at 10 750 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 3.0%.

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

Exports plastic household and hygienic articles from Romania

Exports in kind, t

Romania's exports of plastic household and hygienic articles grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 3 986 tonnes, showing a substantial 27.2% year-over-year increase. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 83.5%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 22.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's export partner portfolio for plastic household and hygienic articles was quite broad. Bulgaria accounted for 21.5% of exports in kind, Hungary for 13.8%, and Italy for 12.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 47.8% 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

Romania's exports of plastic household and hygienic articles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 13 690 thousand US dollars, reflecting a robust 19.0% year-over-year growth. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 80.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 21.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy contributed 20.4% of export value, Bulgaria 17.8%, and Hungary 12.7%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 50.9% of total export flows 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 household and hygienic articles to Romania

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Romania's imports of plastic household and hygienic articles declined. In 2020, imports stood at 11 878 tonnes, remaining virtually unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 28.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. The peak was recorded in 2019 at 11 898 tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 19.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland was the largest supplier of plastic household and hygienic articles to Romania, accounting for 20.4% of imports in kind, followed by China at 17.4% and Turkey at 11.3%. Together, these three countries represented just 49.1% of total imports, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

Romania's imports of plastic household and hygienic articles increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value amounted to 48 429 thousand US dollars, up 5.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 44.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 13.1%.

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

The country composition of Romania's imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Poland accounted for 21.1% of import value, China for 13.8%, and Italy for 10.9%. Together, these three countries formed just 45.8% of total flows, with the remaining 54.2% distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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