Plastic spools and bobbins market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for plastic spools and bobbins began the period under the influence of the new Packaging Act (VerpackG), introduced in 2018 and effective from 2019, which established extended producer responsibility and registration requirements. This regulatory shift, alongside a noted consolidation in the plastic packaging sector that encouraged the entry of new small to medium-sized suppliers, set a new compliance framework. Market volume responded by declining from 81 933 t in 2018 to 79 503 t in 2019 and further to 71 533 t in 2020, as companies adapted to the increased administrative and material traceability obligations.

A temporary recovery lifted market volume to 76 488 t in 2021, coinciding with the enforcement of the VerpackG2 amendment that expanded mandatory reporting for B2B packaging and introduced verification rules for online marketplaces. Subsequently, the market stabilized around 75 000 t in 2022. During this phase, the recycling quota for plastic packaging was raised to 63%, increasing pressure to use recycled materials, while the announced EU 'tethered caps' regulation began steering manufacturers toward new spool designs where closures remain attached to containers.

A pronounced contraction followed, with market volume falling to 61 863 t in 2023 and to 59 140 t in 2024. This decline aligned with the transitional period for the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), finalized in April 2024, which mandated strict material and labeling standards. The concurrent introduction of binding 'tethered caps' rules, the expansion of the deposit system to include milk beverages, and stricter amendments to the national Packaging Act with higher penalties compelled producers to overhaul production processes, temporarily constraining output.

Production plastic spools and bobbins in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of plastic spools and bobbins has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 455.4 million US dollars, representing a significant contraction of 12.0% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 9.1%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.1%. The peak was reached in 2018, with production valued at 565.0 million US dollars, and that year also saw the largest increase at 12.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Germany's production of plastic spools and bobbins has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 66 431 tonnes, marking a sharp drop of 12.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 10.4%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 3.6%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 76 120 tonnes, and that year also experienced the largest increase of 2.7%.

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

Exports plastic spools and bobbins from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Germany's exports of plastic spools and bobbins have declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 10 575 tonnes, showing a strong reduction of 15.3% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 24.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.0%. The peak was in 2018 at 14 490 tonnes, and that year also saw the largest increase of 3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure for plastic spools and bobbins remained fragmented. France accounted for 10.3% of exports in kind, the Netherlands for 8.7%, and Switzerland for 8.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 27.1% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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, K $ US

Germany's exports of plastic spools and bobbins have decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 67 898 thousand US dollars, marking a fall of 4.6% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 8.7%, which corresponds to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 81 370 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 9.4%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, France, the United States, and the Netherlands played notable but not dominant roles as buyers of plastic spools and bobbins from Germany. France accounted for 10.9% of exports in value terms, the United States for 8.2%, and the Netherlands for 7.0%. Their combined share reached only 26.1% of total exports in value terms.

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 spools and bobbins to Germany

Imports in kind, t

Germany's imports of plastic spools and bobbins have declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 15 677 tonnes, corresponding to a gradual drop of 5.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 20 303 tonnes. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 18.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, plastic spools and bobbins were imported into Germany from a broad set of markets. France contributed 16.7% of imports in kind, Italy 12.2%, and Austria 10.2%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 39.0% of total imports in kind, with many smaller destinations making up the remaining 61.0%.

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, K $ US

Foreign supplies of plastic spools and bobbins to Germany have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany imported approximately 73 519 thousand US dollars worth of these goods, representing a 3.8% reduction from a year earlier. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.1%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 95 358 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 19.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 10.9%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports of plastic spools and bobbins to Germany in value terms were widely dispersed across partner countries. Colombia accounted for 12.7% of imports in value terms, China for 11.4%, and Spain for 10.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 34.5% of total flows.

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

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