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

Earlier Report Observations

The physical volume of the polymers market in Slovakia grew from 149 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 197 thousand tonnes in 2021. This upward trend reversed in the following years, with the market contracting to 172 thousand tonnes in 2023 and 169 thousand tonnes in 2024.

In value terms, the market exhibited different dynamics, reaching 359 million US dollars in 2021 despite only a modest volume increase that year, pointing to a substantial rise in average prices. After a dip in 2023, the market's value recovered to 319 million US dollars in 2024.

Domestic production volumes were volatile throughout the period, falling to 228 thousand tonnes in 2024. Import levels remained relatively stable, which helped maintain market supply amid the fluctuations in local output.

Production propylene and other olefin polymers in primary forms in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Slovakia, the production value of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms remained relatively stable in 2020 at 352.9 million US dollars, showing little change from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 351.5 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 at 417.9 million US dollars. The most significant drop was in 2019 with a 15.9% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 with an 11.3% rise.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, Slovakia's production of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms rebounded in 2020. Output reached 306.5 thousand tonnes, marking a solid increase of 17.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 6.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.2%. The lowest production level was in 2019 at 260.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.2%.

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

Exports propylene and other olefin polymers in primary forms from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

After two consecutive years of decrease, Slovakia's exports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms increased in 2020. Exports amounted to 278.8 thousand tonnes, reflecting a robust year-on-year gain of 12.1%. However, over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 248.7 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 12.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, Poland, and Italy remained the top buyers of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms from Slovakia. Czechia accounted for 23.1% of exports in kind, Poland for 18.1%, and Italy for 15.0%. Together, these three countries represented 56.2% of Slovakia's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Slovakia's export value of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms declined for the second year in a row in 2020. Exports totaled 320.5 million US dollars, down 5.9% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 18.7%, with an annualized decrease of 6.7%. The highest value was in 2018 at 408.7 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 16.6% drop, while the biggest increase was in 2018 with a 3.7% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Czechia, Poland, and Germany were the main destinations for Slovakia's exports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms in value terms. Czechia took 23.7% of exports, Poland 17.2%, and Germany 14.6%. Combined, these three countries absorbed 55.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports propylene and other olefin polymers in primary forms to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovakia's imports of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms totaled 161.6 thousand tonnes, showing a modest decline of 6.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports decreased by 8.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 2.9%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 147.6 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 16.5%. The most significant increase was in 2019 with a 16.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Poland, and Belgium were the largest suppliers of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms to Slovakia in kind. Germany contributed 15.2% of imports, Poland 13.6%, and Belgium 13.5%. Together, they accounted for 42.3% of total imports, with numerous smaller partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Slovakia imported 259.0 million US dollars worth of polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms in 2020, which was 15.5% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.3%, translating to an annualized decline of 6.1%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 with a 0.5% rise.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, Slovakia's supplier base for polymers of propylene or other olefins in primary forms was diverse. Germany accounted for 15.5% of imports in value terms, Belgium for 12.8%, and Poland for 12.0%. These three countries together contributed 40.3% of total import value, while many other nations held smaller but notable shares.

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

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