Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins in primary forms market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2024, the Romanian market for polymers of vinyl chloride was anchored by state-owned production facilities such as the Râmnicu-Vâlcea chemical plant, operating under persistent EU and national regulations that strictly limit vinyl chloride monomer content in finished products and monitor environmental emissions. This regulatory environment maintained safety and quality standards without triggering significant market shifts in the early years, while imports gradually rose to meet domestic needs.

The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains, temporarily hampering raw material availability for local PVC production and prompting higher imports, which helped sustain a market volume of 130.4 thousand tonnes. The subsequent post-pandemic recovery in 2021 boosted demand, particularly from construction and industrial sectors, driving market size to a peak of 156.6 thousand tonnes as production increased to 34.4 thousand tonnes and imports surged.

By 2022, elevated global energy and raw material prices raised production costs, contributing to a contraction in market volume to 135.5 thousand tonnes and a drop in production. Imports began to recede from their 2021 high but remained substantial. In 2024, new Romanian standards harmonized with EU rules for construction products, established via Order no. 833/2024, introduced updated quality benchmarks that may shape future PVC product compliance.

Production polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins in primary forms in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Romania's output of polymers of vinyl chloride or other halogenated olefins in primary forms was valued at 35 365 thousand US dollars, remaining nearly unchanged from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 98.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 25.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Romania produced 29 532 tonnes of polymers of vinyl chloride or other halogenated olefins in primary forms, showing little change compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 44%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 12.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Romania in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins in primary forms from Romania

Exports in kind, K t

Romania's exports of polymers of vinyl chloride or other halogenated olefins in primary forms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 11.2 thousand tonnes, which was 20.4% lower than in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 18.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.5%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 15.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest annual increase of 9.8% also occurring that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Romania's exports of polymers of vinyl chloride or other halogenated olefins in primary forms were Czechia (39.3% of exports in volume), Bulgaria (17.2%), and Serbia (10.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 66.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Romania exported 17.1 million US dollars worth of polymers of vinyl chloride or other halogenated olefins in primary forms, marking a 2.3% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports rose by 7.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 18.6 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 17.9% and the largest decline of 10.5% both occurring in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for Romania's exports in value terms remained fragmented. Bulgaria (18.6% of exports in value), Czechia (14.8%), and Italy (14.5%) together accounted for 47.8% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins in primary forms to Romania

Imports in kind, K t

Romania's imports of polymers of vinyl chloride or other halogenated olefins in primary forms increased for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 112.1 thousand tonnes, up 9.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 25.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Hungary (48.8% of imports in volume), Germany (13.9%), and Egypt (7.1%) formed the core group of suppliers for Romania's imports, collectively representing 69.8% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Romania's imports of polymers of vinyl chloride or other halogenated olefins in primary forms amounted to 117.9 million US dollars, increasing by 1.8% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports rose by 7.6%, with an annualized growth rate of 2.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 120.4 million US dollars, with the largest annual increase of 9.9% and the largest decline of 3.8% occurring in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Hungary (39.8% of imports in value), Germany (16.9%), and Italy (13.2%) continued to be the main suppliers of polymers of vinyl chloride or other halogenated olefins in primary forms to Romania, jointly accounting for 70.0% of total import value.

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

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