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

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for polymers of propylene and other olefins in primary forms showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2024. Market size fell from $3.4 billion in 2018 to $2.4 billion in 2020, then rebounded sharply to $3.9 billion in 2021. A subsequent decline brought the market to $2.3 billion in 2023, before a slight recovery to $2.5 billion in 2024.

The modest market growth in 2024 occurred alongside increased investment in mechanical recycling facilities and advanced catalyst technologies, which aimed to enhance the production and performance of recycled polypropylene. Major industry participants like BASF SE and Borealis AG continued to shape the market, while structural demand from the packaging sector, accounting for nearly half of regional consumption, and the automotive industry, representing about 17%, provided a stable demand base influenced by global trends toward lightweight materials and sustainability.

Production propylene and other olefin polymers in primary forms in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 2 668 million US dollars, marking a 13.6% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 18.3%, which translates to an annualized decline of 6.5%. The peak was reached in 2018 at 3 495 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 7.0% also occurring that year.

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

Exports propylene and other olefin polymers in primary forms from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Following a two-year decline, Germany's export volume of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms increased in 2020. The volume reached 2 044 thousand tonnes, up 2.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 6.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.1%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 1 990 thousand tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 at 4.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms were not heavily concentrated in a few markets. Italy accounted for 18.4% of exports, Poland for 10.4%, and France for 8.5%, with these three countries together making up only 37.3% of total export flows.

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 polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms has fallen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 2 823 million US dollars, a 6.4% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 14%, equivalent to an annualized decline of 4.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 449 million US dollars, with the largest decrease of 12.5% in 2019 and the largest increase of 5.0% in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany's exports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms were distributed across many countries. Even the top destinations—Italy, Poland, and France—combined represented just 34.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports propylene and other olefin polymers in primary forms to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's import volume of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 912 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate reduction of 6.4% compared to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.1%. The maximum volume was in 2018 at 1 912 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase of 3.8% also occurred that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and France were the key sources for Germany's imports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms. Belgium accounted for 29.6% of imports, the Netherlands for 19.3%, and France for 11.0%, together making up 59.9% of total import flows.

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 polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms has decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 2 513 million US dollars, a sharp drop of 15.7% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 13.3%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 3 306 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 14.1% also recorded that year.

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

In 2017-2020, the leading sources for Germany's imports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms in value terms were Belgium, the Netherlands, and France. Belgium contributed 30.0% of import value, the Netherlands 18.3%, and France 10.8%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 59.1% of total flows.

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

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