PMMA in primary forms market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish PMMA market expanded steadily between 2018 and 2021, supported by continuous global demand from the automotive and construction industries for lightweight, durable materials. Even the initial COVID-19 supply chain disruptions in 2020 were offset by rising consumption in medical applications, such as prosthetics and medical devices. The recovery in 2021 further accelerated demand, particularly for signage, displays, and lighting uses driven by digitalization.

Market volume dipped in 2022 after the previous high, but then jumped by more than 50% in 2023. This surge was fueled by significant industry investments: Chi Mei expanded its optical-grade PMMA capacity by 22%, Arkema introduced improved UV-resistant sheets, and SABIC developed lightweight components for electric vehicles. In 2024, however, volume dropped sharply, coinciding with widespread closures of small and medium-sized enterprises in Spain and the impending EU packaging regulations that started to affect labeling and composition requirements.

Production PMMA in primary forms in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's production of PMMA in primary forms was valued at 43 834 thousand US dollars, marking a measured increase of 7.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 5.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Spain produced 19 969 tonnes of PMMA in primary forms, showing a modest rise of 8.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 12.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 4.0%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, with a drop of 1.5%.

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

Exports PMMA in primary forms from Spain

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Spain exported 1 453 tonnes of PMMA in primary forms, representing a rise of 12.2% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.8%. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 295 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2018 at 2 053 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 36.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 33.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Spain's exports of PMMA in primary forms in kind were Portugal, accounting for 28.9% of exports, France with 13.2%, and Morocco at 12.4%. Together, these three countries represented 54.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Spain's exports of PMMA in primary forms in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 378 thousand US dollars, reflecting a significant decrease of 10.2% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 18.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.6%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 618 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 43.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a rise of 59.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the principal destinations for Spain's exports of PMMA in primary forms in value terms were Portugal, representing 31.6% of exports, France with 21.5%, and Morocco at 15.1%. These three countries jointly accounted for 68.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports PMMA in primary forms to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's imports of PMMA in primary forms in kind increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 14 138 tonnes, up by 0.9% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 17.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.1%. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 13 841 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 18.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019, with a rise of 1.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the core group of markets for Spain's imports of PMMA in primary forms in kind included South Korea, accounting for 20.7% of imports, Germany with 20.4%, and the Netherlands at 14.3%. Together, these three countries represented 55.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Spain's imports of PMMA in primary forms in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Spain imported 33 974 thousand US dollars of PMMA in primary forms, indicating a small loss of 1.0% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 20.5%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations in Spain's import structure in value terms were Germany, accounting for 25.5% of imports, South Korea with 19.9%, and the Netherlands at 14.8%. These three countries combined represented 60.2% of total import flows.

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

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