PP in primary forms market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian polypropylene market opened the period at 1 598 thousand tons in 2018, supported by robust demand from key consuming industries. From 2019 to 2020, however, volume fell to 1 351 thousand tons as the country accelerated its transition toward a circular economy. Investments in high-tech sorting centers and the introduction of the New Blue Bag system boosted the collection and recycling of plastic packaging, with the recycling rate hitting 51% in 2020 and reuse of recycled plastics rising by 22%.

Market volume rebounded to 1 453 thousand tons in 2021 and surged to 2 040 thousand tons in 2022. This growth coincided with the full nationwide implementation of the New Blue Bag and the operational launch of five advanced sorting centers. The awarding of a contract for a new polypropylene recycling plant in Lommel further stimulated industrial activity. Policy support for circularity made secondary raw materials more available locally, strengthening the industrial network and supporting overall polypropylene demand.

After the 2022 peak, market volume declined to 1 820 thousand tons in 2023 and 1 789 thousand tons in 2024. Belgium maintained a high plastic packaging recycling rate of 79% in 2023, and the Lommel plant was nearing completion. While the amount of packaging placed on the market increased slightly, the overall market volume adjusted downward.

Production PP in primary forms in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Belgium's production of polypropylene in primary forms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 707.9 million US dollars, representing a year-on-year decrease of 16.8%. Between 2017 and 2020, production fell by 11.1%, which translates to an average annual decline of 3.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 880.9 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 10.6% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Production of polypropylene in primary forms in Belgium declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Belgium produced 1,536 thousand tonnes, which is 7.1% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The highest output was recorded in 2018 at 1,703 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase of 0.6% also took place in 2018.

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

Exports PP in primary forms from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's exports of polypropylene in primary forms totaled 535.9 thousand tonnes, marking a 3.7% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 7.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 498.2 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 556.3 thousand tonnes. The most significant increase of 11.7% occurred in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium's exports of polypropylene in primary forms were distributed across multiple countries. Germany accounted for 21.6% of exports, the Netherlands for 12.7%, and Italy for 10.7%. Together, these three partners represented 45.0% of total export flows, with no single country emerging as clearly dominant.

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

Belgium's exports of polypropylene in primary forms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 655.0 million US dollars, reflecting a 17.0% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 6.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 795.9 million US dollars, and the largest increase of 14.1% also occurred in 2018.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, Belgium's exports of polypropylene in primary forms in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Germany held a 23.4% share, the Netherlands 11.3%, and France 9.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 44.6% of total export 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 PP in primary forms to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of polypropylene in primary forms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 350.9 thousand tonnes, which is 6.1% lower than in 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main sources for Belgium's imports of polypropylene in primary forms. France accounted for 28.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 25.7%, and Germany for 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 69.4% of total import flows.

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

Belgium's imports of polypropylene in primary forms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 378.4 million US dollars, down by 21.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 21.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -7.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 541.9 million US dollars, and the largest increase of 12.2% also occurred in 2018.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the primary destinations in the geographical breakdown of Belgium's imports of polypropylene in primary forms in value terms. France accounted for 29.8% of imports, the Netherlands for 23.0%, and Germany for 15.6%. Combined, these three countries made up 68.3% of total import flows.

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

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