Plastic packaging and closures market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German market for plastic packaging and closures contracted, falling from 10 180 million USD to 9 515 million USD in 2019 before stabilizing at 9 496 million USD in 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted production through factory closures and raw material shortages, while simultaneously boosting demand for rigid plastic packaging from the pharmaceutical industry due to medicines and vaccines.

In the following years, the industry increasingly focused on sustainability and circular economy models. By 2023, industry associations set a target to use one million tons of recycled content or renewable materials by 2025, and consumer preferences shifted towards sustainable packaging, driving reforms. In 2024, regulatory changes promoted the integration of recycled content, with a 45% increase in goods containing recycled material. Additionally, major players like Silgan Holdings Inc. expanded their portfolios through acquisitions to strengthen environmentally friendly rigid packaging solutions.

Production plastic packaging and closures in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of plastic packaging and closures declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 10 682 million US dollars, marking a slight year-on-year decrease of 0.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 6.6%. This followed the peak year of 2018, when output reached 11 534 million US dollars with an 8.2% increase.

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

Exports plastic packaging and closures from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of plastic packaging and closures in volume terms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 1 129 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate 3.3% drop compared to 2019. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 196 thousand tonnes, which represented a 2.4% increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 3.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's exports of plastic packaging and closures in volume terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. The top three destinations—the Netherlands (15.3%), France (12.4%), and the United Kingdom (9.5%)—collectively accounted for 37.2% of total exports. The remaining 62.8% was spread among numerous smaller partners, indicating a diversified export structure.

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 packaging and closures in value terms declined for the second year running. In 2020, export value stood at 5 002 million US dollars, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. The peak was in 2018 at 5 298 million US dollars, with a 9.9% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 5.2%. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 3.7%, averaging an annual increase of 1.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms were not concentrated among a few key markets. France (12.3%), the Netherlands (11.6%), and the United Kingdom (9.5%) together made up 33.3% of total export value, with the rest distributed across a broad array of other countries.

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 packaging and closures to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After rising for two years, Germany's imports of plastic packaging and closures in volume terms declined in 2020. Imports amounted to 1 192 thousand tonnes, down 11.0% year-on-year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 340 thousand tonnes. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with an 11.7% rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 6.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 2.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's imports of plastic packaging and closures in volume terms were spread across multiple sources. The Netherlands (12.0%), Poland (11.1%), and Austria (9.2%) together accounted for 32.3% of total imports, with the majority coming from various other markets.

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 packaging and closures in value terms reached 3 816 million US dollars, showing a slight year-on-year increase of 1.3%. The peak value was in 2018 at 3 945 million US dollars, which saw a 12.0% rise. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 4.5% drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 8.3%, averaging an annual increase of 2.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's imports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms remained fragmented across partners. Poland (10.5%), the Netherlands (10.1%), and Switzerland (8.2%) together represented 28.8% of total import value, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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