Polymers of propylene or of other olefins in primary forms market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, the market volume for propylene and olefin polymers in Belgium contracted from 1 559 thousand tons to 1 264 thousand tons. The decline was particularly pronounced in 2020, when supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic affected raw material availability and production dynamics. Earlier, in 2018, INEOS had announced plans for a major propane dehydrogenation unit in Europe to boost propylene self-sufficiency, signaling long-term industry investments despite the near-term market softening.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2022, with market volume jumping 55% to 1 963 thousand tons. This surge was driven by the launch of new polypropylene compound factories in Europe involving Belgian partners, alongside the introduction of advanced copolymer grades that met growing demand from the automotive and packaging sectors. The expansion reflected both increased production capacity and product innovation responding to industrial needs.

The growth proved temporary, as market volume fell to 1 760 thousand tons in 2023 and further to 1 664 thousand tons in 2024. Price volatility of propylene feedstock, influenced by geopolitical events and crude oil fluctuations, raised production costs and weighed on the market. Concurrently, sustainability trends accelerated, exemplified by Vioneo's partnership to build the world's first industrial-scale fossil-free plastics facility in Antwerp, shaping the industry's evolution amid changing regulatory and consumer preferences.

Production propylene and other olefin polymers in primary forms in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's production of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 553 million US dollars, marking a 13.4% year-over-year drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 893 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.1%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Belgium's production volume of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, 2 292 thousand tonnes were produced, representing a 4.3% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production declined by 4.8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -1.6%. The peak was in 2018 with 2 425 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 0.8%.

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

Exports propylene and other olefin polymers in primary forms from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, exports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms from Belgium amounted to 1 512 thousand tonnes, remaining nearly unchanged year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 5.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 1 431 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 1 516 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 0.4%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 5.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, France, and Italy consistently led as the top destinations for Belgium's exports in kind of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms. Germany accounted for 24.5% of exports, France for 15.1%, and Italy for 10.9%, together making up 50.5% of total flows.

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

Exports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms from Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 2 020 million US dollars, showing a significant 12.4% year-over-year fall. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 7.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.6%. The peak value was in 2018 at 2 436 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, France, and Italy were the main destinations for Belgium's exports in value terms of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms. Germany held a 25.6% share, France 14.8%, and Italy 10.2%, collectively accounting for 50.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports propylene and other olefin polymers in primary forms to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, import volume totaled 533 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 1.9% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the leading suppliers of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms to Belgium. The Netherlands accounted for 23.8% of imports in kind, France for 21.3%, and Germany for 18.5%, with their combined share reaching 63.6% of total imports.

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

Imports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms into Belgium fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium imported approximately 651 million US dollars worth of these polymers, indicating a substantial 15.2% year-over-year decline. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 834 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 5.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany were the principal sources for Belgium's imports in value terms of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms, together accounting for 60.7% of total imports.

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

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