Propylene market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German propylene market saw considerable fluctuation from 2018 to 2024, with total physical volume declining from 3.3 million tons to 2.6 million tons. After a brief recovery in 2021, the market entered a pronounced downturn the following year.

In 2022, inflation and rising living costs in Germany dampened consumer spending and reduced downstream demand for petrochemicals, contributing to a 19% contraction in propylene market volume that year.

Market volume stabilized in 2023 and edged higher in 2024 as domestic production increased, though overall consumption remained well below the levels seen prior to 2022.

Production propylene in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Propylene production in Germany has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 120 million US dollars, marking a year-over-year decrease of 10.9%. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.6%, which translates to an annualized decline of 3.7%. The peak was reached in 2018, with production valued at 1 397 million US dollars, and that year also saw the largest increase at 11.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, Germany's propylene production has rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 2 652 thousand tonnes, reflecting a modest year-over-year gain of 3.2%. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 9.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.3%. The lowest point was in 2019, with 2 569 thousand tonnes produced, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 9.1%.

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

Exports propylene from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's propylene exports have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country exported 287.0 thousand tonnes, representing a 9.0% year-over-year gain. Despite this recent growth, exports decreased by 8.1% over the 2017-2020 period, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%. The minimum was recorded in 2018 at 244.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 21.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Poland were the primary buyers of propylene from Germany, accounting for 35.7%, 33.8%, and 13.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 83.2% of Germany's total propylene exports in kind during this period.

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

Propylene exports from Germany have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 218.3 million US dollars, showing a 12.9% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 18.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Netherlands, France, and Poland remained the principal buyers of propylene from Germany in value terms, with shares of 35.0%, 34.9%, and 13.5%, respectively. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 83.3% of Germany's total propylene export value over these years.

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 to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's propylene imports have declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 700.1 thousand tonnes, representing a 25.3% contraction relative to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.9%. The maximum was recorded in 2019 at 937.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 9.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Spain were the main sources of propylene imports to Germany in kind, accounting for 40.7%, 13.3%, and 10.8% of imports, respectively. Together, these three countries supplied 64.8% of Germany's total propylene imports in kind during this timeframe.

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

Propylene imports to Germany have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 587.7 million US dollars, down by 37.2% compared with 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.9%. The peak was in 2018, with imports valued at 961.1 million US dollars, and that year also recorded the largest increase at 32.1%.

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

In 2017-2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Spain remained the principal suppliers of propylene to Germany in value terms, with shares of 40.6%, 13.4%, and 11.1%, respectively. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 65.1% of Germany's total propylene import value over these years.

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

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