Plastic packaging and closures market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

The market for plastic packaging and closures in Romania was valued at 767.1 million USD in 2018, declining to 740.1 million USD by 2020. Domestic production fell from 536.1 million USD in 2018 to 519.8 million USD in 2019 before a slight recovery to 529.9 million USD in 2020. This initial downturn coincided with the introduction of Law No. 87/2018, which banned the sale of thin plastic carrier bags and mandated labeling for compostable or biodegradable bags. In 2019, an update to Law No. 249/2015 on packaging and packaging waste management tightened safety, hygiene, and transport requirements for packaged goods, likely affecting production processes and costs.

From 2021 onward, imports of plastic packaging and closures showed steady growth, rising from 380.0 million USD in 2020 to 534.1 million USD in 2024, while exports increased from 169.8 million USD to 281.9 million USD over the same period. This trade expansion unfolded alongside the implementation of the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, which from July 2021 imposed mandatory marking and market restrictions on such items, particularly affecting the beverage and tobacco industries. By 2023, progressive reduction targets for single-use plastic volumes on the national market were set, starting with a 5% cut. In 2024, the anti-plastic ordinance entered force, requiring that caps remain attached to bottles, and a Deposit-Return System placed 1.9 billion plastic packages on the market with a 39% return rate. Major local producers like TeraPlast SA and RomCarbon actively expanded output, including biodegradable packaging, while the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) adopted in December 2024 set further rules for reducing packaging waste and promoting reusable packaging.

Production plastic packaging and closures in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Romania's production of plastic packaging and closures was valued at 529.9 million US dollars, marking a 2.0% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The highest production value was recorded in 2018 at 536.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.8%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant decline, with production dropping by 3.0%.

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

Exports plastic packaging and closures from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Romania exported 46.9 thousand tonnes of plastic packaging and closures, showing a moderate increase of 7.3% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 10.9%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The peak export volume occurred in 2018 at 48.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 14.2%. The most notable decline was in 2019, with exports falling by 9.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's exports of plastic packaging and closures in kind were distributed across a broad range of partner countries. Germany accounted for 14.1% of exports, Hungary for 13.4%, and Italy for 8.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 36.4% of total export flows, indicating a diverse export portfolio.

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, M $ US

Romania's exports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 169.8 million US dollars, a decrease of 2.4% from 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 13.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.3%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 178.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 19.6%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with exports dropping by 2.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Romania's exports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms were widely dispersed among partner countries. Italy led with 16.8% of exports, followed by Spain at 11.4%, and Hungary at 10.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for only 38.5% of total export flows, highlighting the extensive distribution across various markets.

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 packaging and closures to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Romania's imports of plastic packaging and closures in kind declined in 2020. Imports totaled 133.4 thousand tonnes, reflecting a moderate decrease of 3.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 11.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 138.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 9.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Romania's imports of plastic packaging and closures in kind featured a wide partner landscape. Hungary was the largest source, accounting for 22.2% of imports, followed by Poland at 13.3%, and Germany at 11.9%. Together, these three countries made up only 47.4% of total import flows, with the remaining 52.6% coming from numerous other countries.

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, M $ US

Romania's imports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 380.0 million US dollars, down 6.9% from 2019. Despite this, over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 14.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8%. The peak import value was in 2018 at 409.8 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 24.0%.

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

The country composition of Romania's imports of plastic packaging and closures in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was highly dispersed. Germany accounted for 17.6% of imports, Hungary for 15.0%, and Poland for 10.3%. Together, these three countries formed just 42.9% of total import flows, with the remaining 57.1% spread across a wide range of other sources.

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

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