Plastic office or school supplies market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic office or school supplies in Germany was valued at 236.5 million $ US in 2018 before contracting to 204.1 million $ US in 2019. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 drove a further decline to 158.9 million $ US, as remote work and digitalization reduced demand for traditional office supplies, while distance selling became a dominant sales channel.

In the following years, the market continued to be shaped by digitalization and consolidation. Stringent EU and German environmental regulations aimed at reducing plastic waste forced manufacturers to adopt sustainable practices, such as using recycled materials. By 2023, production in Germany's plastics industry had fallen by 15.3%, affecting supply, while demand shifted towards ergonomic home-office accessories and innovative AI-integrated products.

By 2024, the market had stabilized at 152.3 million $ US, supported by the expansion of sustainable polymer production from recycled plastic waste and biodegradable plastics. The launch of over 200 new products globally, including eco-friendly and tech-enhanced office supplies, alongside the growing importance of online retail, forged a new market dynamic driven by sustainability and innovation.

Production plastic office or school supplies in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of plastic office and school supplies has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 171.4 million US dollars, representing a 21.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 31%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Germany's production of plastic office and school supplies has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 39 330 tonnes, marking a significant gain of 10.8% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 14.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.6%.

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

Exports plastic office or school supplies from Germany

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany exported 19 237 tonnes of plastic office and school supplies, which represents an 8.7% drop compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 14.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 2.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of plastic office and school supplies in kind were distributed across many countries. France and Austria each accounted for 13.5% of exports, while the Netherlands made up 12.1%. Together, these three countries represented 39.1% of total export 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

Germany's exports of plastic office and school supplies have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 130.5 million US dollars worth of these goods, indicating a fall of 4.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 12.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's exports in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Austria accounted for 14.7% of exports, France for 12.3%, and the Netherlands for 8.6%. Collectively, these three countries represented just 35.6% of total export flows.

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 office or school supplies to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of plastic office and school supplies in kind have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume totalled 23 633 tonnes, marking a moderate decline of 7.8% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -6.1%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 30 296 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, China, Poland, and Czechia remained the main sources for Germany's imports of plastic office and school supplies in kind. China accounted for 30.1% of imports, Poland for 19.7%, and Czechia for 11.6%. Together, these three countries took 61.5% of total import 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

Germany's imports of plastic office and school supplies in value terms have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported 118.0 million US dollars worth of these goods, amounting to a reduction of 3.5% from a year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.2%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 142.4 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 14.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Poland, and Czechia remained the key directions for Germany's imports of plastic office and school supplies in value terms. China accounted for 28.6% of imports, Poland for 18.3%, and Czechia for 10.1%. Together, these three countries represented 57.1% of total import flows.

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

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