Plastics coated paper and paperboard market in Croatia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market for plastics coated paper and paperboard in Croatia gradually expanded, with market volume growing from 11 767 t to 12 317 t. This occurred against the backdrop of implementing extended producer responsibility for paper and cardboard waste management under EU Directive 2008/98/EC, as well as the start of EU negotiations on an international instrument to reduce plastic pollution, laying the groundwork for future regulatory changes.

Growth accelerated in 2021 when rules on market restrictions and labeling of single-use plastic products came into force on July 3, stimulating demand for paper packaging with plastic coating as an alternative. Market volume increased to 12 788 t in 2021 and further to 13 956 t in 2022.

In 2023, the adoption of the Ordinance on Packaging and Packaging Waste (NN 137/2023), which introduced a deposit-refund system for multilayer packaging with a predominant paper-cardboard component up to 3 liters and set recycling targets for paper and cardboard at 60% by mass, temporarily reduced market volume to 10 904 t. However, in 2024 the market recovered to 12 151 t due to increased demand for paper packaging driven by environmental campaigns against single-use plastic and bans on PVC bags, as well as the launch of new products such as paper-based multipackaging for food items.

Production plastics coated paper and paperboard in Croatia

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Croatia's production of plastics coated paper and paperboard declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 462.3 K $ US, marking a 1.4% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 34.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 511.8 K $ US, which represented a 48.8% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 8.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Croatia's production volume of plastics coated paper and paperboard fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 463.1 t were produced, down 1.8% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 38.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 11.5%. The peak volume was reached in 2018 at 480.2 t, which was a 43.9% increase over 2017. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 1.8% drop.

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

Exports plastics coated paper and paperboard from Croatia

Exports in kind, t

Croatia's export volume of plastics coated paper and paperboard declined after two years of growth. In 2020, exports stood at 374 t, a sharp 40.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 32.8%, with an average annual decline of 12.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 631 t, which was an 8.8% increase from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Croatia exported plastics coated paper and paperboard to numerous countries. The top destinations—Italy, France, and Hungary—together accounted for only 47.7% of total exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Croatia's exports of plastics coated paper and paperboard in value terms declined after two years of growth. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 653 K $ US, a significant 18.7% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 4.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The peak value was in 2019 at 2 035 K $ US, following a 27.6% increase in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, Croatia's exports in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Slovenia (17.1% of exports), Italy (15.4%), and France (13.1%) together made up just 45.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports plastics coated paper and paperboard to Croatia

Imports in kind, t

Croatia's import volume of plastics coated paper and paperboard rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 12 228 t, a slight 1.0% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 12.9%, with an average annual rate of 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy (30.3% of imports in volume), Serbia (21.5%), and Hungary (20.3%) were the main sources of imports, together accounting for 72.1% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Croatia's import value of plastics coated paper and paperboard declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were approximately 29 830 K $ US, down 5.7% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 14.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 31 865 K $ US, which saw a 22.4% increase from 2017.

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

In 2017-2020, Italy (33.2% of imports in value), Hungary (19.5%), and Serbia (19.3%) remained the primary suppliers of plastics coated paper and paperboard to Croatia, jointly representing 72.0% of total import value.

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

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