Polyamides in primary forms market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The market for polyamides in primary forms in Belgium experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2024. Starting at 155.3 thousand tons in 2018, consumption dropped sharply to 78.6 thousand tons in 2020. This decline was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and reduced demand from key consuming industries like automotive and textiles.

A recovery followed in 2021, with the market volume rising to 104.7 thousand tons. However, growth stalled in 2022, edging down to 102.6 thousand tons. During this period, the market faced a European-wide polyamide shortage due to production cuts and force majeure events, compounded by global overcapacity and weak demand that led Domo Chemicals to announce the closure of production activities at its Belle-Étoile site.

The market rebounded to 115.0 thousand tons in 2023, supported by increasing demand from the automotive and electronics sectors for high-performance, lightweight materials, as well as the launch of new bio-based and recycled polyamide grades. In 2024, however, volume contracted to 99.2 thousand tons, coinciding with the entry into force of the EU Ecodesign Regulation and the ongoing scale-down of Domo Chemicals' operations amid persistent overcapacity.

Production polyamides in primary forms in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's production of polyamides in primary forms was valued at 500.1 million US dollars, marking a moderate increase of 8.3% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 5.5%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Belgium produced 211.4 thousand tonnes of polyamides in primary forms, showing a slight decline of 1.4% from the year before. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.7%, corresponding to an annualized decrease of 3.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports polyamides in primary forms from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's exports of polyamides in primary forms totaled 190.4 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 15.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 24.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 17.0%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and Italy were the main buyers of polyamides in primary forms from Belgium, accounting for 32.0%, 9.7%, and 8.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 50.5% of total exports in kind.

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

In 2020, Belgium's exports of polyamides in primary forms amounted to 553.7 million US dollars, reflecting a significant decrease of 17.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 18.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -6.4%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 4.3%.

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

During 2017–2020, Germany, Italy, and China were the key destinations for Belgium's exports of polyamides in primary forms in value terms, with shares of 31.9%, 9.7%, and 9.0%, respectively. Combined, these three countries accounted for 50.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports polyamides in primary forms to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of polyamides in primary forms declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 57.6 thousand tonnes, a sharp drop of 34.0% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 57.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -25.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, the Netherlands, and Germany were the leading suppliers of polyamides in primary forms to Belgium, making up 26.1%, 22.6%, and 21.4% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 70.0% of total imports in kind.

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's imports of polyamides in primary forms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 187.1 million US dollars, a reduction of 33.9% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 50%, with an annualized rate of -20.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 419.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States, Germany, and the Netherlands were the primary suppliers of polyamides in primary forms to Belgium in value terms, with shares of 25.1%, 23.6%, and 22.6%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 71.3% of total import value.

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

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