Polyamides in primary forms market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German polyamide market started from a solid base, with established producers like BASF SE serving strong technical applications in Western Europe. This position was abruptly challenged in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused a steep decline in European consumption, reducing Germany's market size significantly as industrial activity and demand contracted.

A recovery took hold in 2021 and accelerated into 2022, driven by strategic investments to bolster domestic compounding capacities for more resilient supply chains. This growth was further supported by rising demand from the automotive sector, particularly for polyamide used in electric vehicles where its properties aid in lightweighting and heat management.

From 2023, the market faced renewed pressure from persistent industrial weakness in Europe. Reduced imports from the United States contributed to price volatility, while domestic production of primary forms plastics declined. During this phase of contraction, innovation continued with a growing focus on bio-based polyamides, even as broader economic challenges weighed on overall market volume.

Production polyamides in primary forms in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of polyamides in primary forms declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, output reached 2 845 million US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 2 409 million US dollars, marking a significant drop of 15.3%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 22%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 3 362 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 8.9%, while the steepest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.4%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

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

Exports polyamides in primary forms from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of polyamides in primary forms fell for the third consecutive year. In 2019, exports stood at 785.0 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 they had dropped to 720.6 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 8.2%. From 2017 to 2020, exports declined by 15.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Belgium, and France were key destinations for Germany's polyamides in primary forms exports, accounting for 12.6%, 11.9%, and 7.1% of the total volume, respectively. However, their combined share was only 31.6%, with the remaining 68.4% spread across numerous other trading partners.

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, M $ US

Germany's export value of polyamides in primary forms decreased for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports were valued at 2 734 million US dollars, but in 2020 they fell to 2 293 million US dollars, a sharp reduction of 16.1%. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 15.5%, averaging an annual decline of 5.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 975 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 9.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export value of polyamides in primary forms was relatively diversified. Belgium, Italy, and France accounted for 10.7%, 10.1%, and 7.1% of the total value, respectively, but together they made up only 27.9% of all exports.

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

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

Imports polyamides in primary forms to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of polyamides in primary forms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, imports totaled 567.0 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 they had decreased to 495.3 thousand tonnes, down 12.6% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 14%, with an average annual rate of decline of 4.9%. The peak was in 2018 at 622.3 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 8.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Italy, Belgium, and the Netherlands were the main sources for Germany's imports of polyamides in primary forms by volume, representing 19.4%, 16.0%, and 14.8% of the total, respectively. Together, they accounted for 50.3% of all imports.

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, M $ US

Germany's import value of polyamides in primary forms dropped for the second year in a row. In 2019, imports were valued at 1 766 million US dollars, but in 2020 they fell to 1 390 million US dollars, a substantial decrease of 21.3%. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 2 079 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 22.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Switzerland, Belgium, and Italy were the leading sources for Germany's imports of polyamides in primary forms by value, accounting for 20.7%, 15.6%, and 15.3% of the total, respectively. Collectively, they represented 51.6% of all import flows.

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

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