Plastic sanitary ware market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian market for plastic sanitary ware showed mixed movements between 2018 and 2020, with the market size dipping to 115.9 million US dollars in 2019 from 123.0 million the previous year, before recovering to 123.1 million in 2020. This period saw the initial implementation of regional bans on single-use plastic bags and the launch of the New Blue Bag recycling scheme in 2019, which began expanding the collection of household plastic packaging to increase the supply of recycled materials for manufacturers.

Supported by the full national rollout of the New Blue Bag in 2021 and the operation of five new sorting centers, the recycling rate for plastic packaging rose to 61% by 2022. This significantly improved the availability of recycled resin, contributing to a market expansion to 145.9 million US dollars in 2022. Draft royal decrees limiting single-use products during this period also encouraged greater use of recycled content in sanitary ware production.

The market continued its ascent to 150.3 million US dollars in 2023 as production increased, aided by further expansion of the plastic collection system and the commissioning of a high-tech sorting center in Lommel, which bolstered the supply of recycled feedstock. However, in 2024, the market size contracted to 141.7 million US dollars following the adoption of strict royal decrees that transposed the EU's Single-Use Plastics Directive, imposing limits on single-use plastic products and introducing an 800 €/ton tax on non-recycled packaging waste, which raised compliance costs for producers.

Production plastic sanitary ware in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Belgium's plastic sanitary ware production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 23 585 thousand US dollars, marking a 5.0% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, production fell by 10.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%.

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

Exports plastic sanitary ware from Belgium

Exports in kind, t

Belgium's plastic sanitary ware export volumes increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 6 337 tonnes, representing a significant 22.0% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 43%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 950 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 10.8%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 31.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the top destinations for Belgium's plastic sanitary ware exports by volume. Germany accounted for 41.3% of exports, the Netherlands for 35.9%, and France for 12.6%. Together, these three countries represented 89.8% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Belgium's plastic sanitary ware export value increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 47.7 million US dollars, a 22.7% increase year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 38.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.5%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the leading markets for Belgium's plastic sanitary ware exports by value. Germany accounted for 38.5% of export value, the Netherlands for 38.0%, and France for 11.5%. Collectively, these three countries made up 88.0% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Belgium in value, 2017-2020

Imports plastic sanitary ware to Belgium

Imports in kind, t

Belgium imported 19 657 tonnes of plastic sanitary ware in 2020, an 8.8% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, falling by 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and the Netherlands were the main sources of plastic sanitary ware imports to Belgium by volume. Germany accounted for 34.0% of imports, China for 17.1%, and the Netherlands for 16.9%. Together, these three countries represented 68.0% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Belgium in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Belgium imported 147.1 million US dollars worth of plastic sanitary ware in 2020, showing a robust 13.3% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 21.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 0.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Germany, the Netherlands, and China were the primary suppliers of plastic sanitary ware to Belgium by value. Germany accounted for 39.6% of import value, the Netherlands for 22.3%, and China for 10.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 72.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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