Plasticised PVC compounds market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for plasticised PVC compounds in Greece demonstrated substantial growth from 2018 to 2022, starting at 1 917 t and reaching 8 892 t by the end of the period. The most pronounced increase occurred in 2019, when the market more than doubled to 4 949 t. This upward trajectory continued through 2020 and 2021, with volumes rising to 5 456 t and 6 132 t respectively, before a further surge to 8 892 t in 2022. In value terms, the market followed a similar pattern, growing from $4.2 million in 2018 to $10.5 million in 2022.

Regulatory factors at the EU level began to shape the market environment during this period. In 2020, the industry association European Plasticisers engaged in a public consultation on potentially adding four phthalate plasticisers to the REACH Authorisation List due to endocrine-disrupting concerns, highlighting regulatory pressures that could affect material choices and formulation costs for PVC compounds.

Further regulatory developments emerged in 2023 and 2024. The European Commission adopted an exemption for cadmium and lead in recycled rigid PVC profiles used in electrical and electronic windows and doors, facilitating recycling streams. Additionally, the anticipated revision of the EU Waste Shipment Regulation aimed to streamline intra-EU PVC waste shipments, while ongoing efforts to phase out hazardous additives and promote bio-based plasticisers reinforced the shift towards a more circular and sustainable PVC economy in Greece.

Production plasticised PVC compounds in Greece

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Greece's production of plasticised PVC compounds has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 7 207 thousand US dollars, marking a moderate increase of 4.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production surged by 115.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 29.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Production of plasticised PVC compounds in Greece has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Greece produced 6 096 tonnes, reflecting a slight increase of 2.6% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 89.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 23.8%.

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

Exports plasticised PVC compounds from Greece

Exports in kind, t

Exports of plasticised PVC compounds from Greece have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, Greece exported 1 848 tonnes, showing a year-over-year decrease of 15.3%. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 61.5%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 27.3%. The peak was in 2018 at 4 991 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 56.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets—Romania, Bulgaria, and Switzerland—consistently dominated exports in volume, together accounting for 84.8% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exports of plasticised PVC compounds from Greece have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 2 104 thousand US dollars, representing a sharp drop of 22.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 59.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 26.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 6 078 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, at 55.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 17.0%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Romania and Bulgaria were the key markets for exports in value terms, jointly making up 81.9% of total flows, with other destinations holding relatively smaller shares.

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

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

Imports plasticised PVC compounds to Greece

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Greece imported 1 208 tonnes of plasticised PVC compounds, which is 1.8% higher than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 6.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The maximum volume was in 2018 at 1 444 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 17.8%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 27.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy accounted for 71.3% of total imports in volume, with the remainder distributed among many countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imports of plasticised PVC compounds into Greece have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume stood at 2 799 thousand US dollars, indicating a moderate decline of 3.2% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 20.9%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 6.5%. The peak value was in 2018 at 3 593 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was in 2019, at 19.5%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 55.2%.

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

Over 2017–2020, Italy was the dominant market for imports in value terms, capturing 71.3% of total flows, while other countries collectively accounted for the remaining share.

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

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