PP in primary forms market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the Slovak market for polypropylene in primary forms experienced significant shifts in both volume and value. Physical market volume grew from 161.7 thousand tonnes in 2018 to a peak of 195.0 thousand tonnes in 2021, followed by a decline to 165.0 thousand tonnes in 2024. In monetary terms, the market value saw a sharp increase to $384.1 million in 2021, driven substantially by higher prices, before decreasing in the following years.

The year 2024 was notable for two key developments. The modernization of the PP3 production unit at the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava was completed, representing a €63 million investment designed to boost future polypropylene production capacity and improve environmental performance. Furthermore, the European Union's advancing packaging and waste management regulations, particularly the prepared Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), began establishing new rules for recycled content and packaging design, directly affecting producers and users of polypropylene in Slovakia.

These regulatory changes, alongside adjustments to national consumer protection and VAT laws effective in 2024, altered the operational landscape for the industry. The market's physical volume contraction in 2023 and 2024 coincided with these evolving framework conditions, which set the stage for future supply and demand dynamics in the Slovak polypropylene sector.

Production PP in primary forms in Slovakia

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's production of PP in primary forms was valued at 322.4 million US dollars, marking a 1.0% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 10.6%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 3.7%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 319.3 million US dollars, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 378.7 million US dollars. The most significant drop in production happened in 2019, falling by 15.7%, whereas the largest rise was observed in 2018 with a 5.0% increase.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, production of PP in primary forms in Slovakia rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 289.8 thousand tonnes, representing an 18.2% increase compared to the year before. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest output was recorded in 2019 at 245.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 7.1% during this timeframe.

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

Exports PP in primary forms from Slovakia

Exports in kind, K t

After experiencing a two-year decline, Slovakia's exports of PP in primary forms showed an upturn. In 2020, exports reached 195.0 thousand tonnes, up by 17.4% from 2019. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 166.0 thousand tonnes, which also marked the largest decrease of 11.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary destinations for Slovakia's exports of PP in primary forms in kind were Czechia, accounting for 24.7% of exports, Poland with 18.2%, and Germany at 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 55.9% of total export flows.

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 exports of PP in primary forms in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 217.3 million US dollars, down by 1.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 15.9%, with a compound annual decline rate of 5.6%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 268.0 million US dollars. The most substantial drop occurred in 2019 with a 17.5% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, rising by 3.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key partners for Slovakia's exports of PP in primary forms in value terms were Czechia, contributing 24.5% of exports, Poland with 17.4%, and Germany at 13.4%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 55.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports PP in primary forms to Slovakia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Slovakia's imports of PP in primary forms in kind totaled 100.0 thousand tonnes, showing a significant decrease of 10.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 4%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 1.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 85.5 thousand tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 with 112.3 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 17.9%, and the most notable increase was in 2019, rising by 31.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import landscape for PP in primary forms in kind was diverse, with Poland accounting for 16.9% of imports, Belgium at 14.9%, and Germany with 12.4%. Together, these three countries made up only 44.2% of total import flows, indicating that a substantial 55.8% came from a wide range of other nations.

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

In 2020, Slovakia's imports of PP in primary forms in value terms stood at 159.7 million US dollars, down by 16.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 20.1%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 7.2%. The largest increase during this period was recorded in 2019, with a modest rise of 0.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Slovakia's imports of PP in primary forms in value terms relied on a broad array of partner countries. Belgium accounted for 14.1% of imports, Poland for 13.6%, and Germany for 12.7%. Combined, these three partners represented just 40.4% of total import flows, highlighting the wide distribution among other countries.

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

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