PS in primary forms market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Starting in 2018, Spain introduced Royal Decree 293/2018 to reduce plastic bag consumption and establish a producer registry, marking an early step in plastic regulation. Over the following two years, polystyrene imports fluctuated, peaking at 96 900 tonnes in 2019 before dropping to 81 200 tonnes in 2020, while exports fell steadily from 110 300 tonnes in 2018 to 40 700 tonnes in 2020, reflecting shifting trade patterns.

The impending EU Single-Use Plastics Directive, set to take effect in Spain in 2023, triggered a spike in imports to 147 200 tonnes in 2021 as companies stocked up. However, the market volume contracted to 71 600 tonnes in 2022 following the enactment of Law 7/2022 and Royal Decree 1055/2022, which imposed reduction targets, extended producer responsibility, and a tax of 0.45 euros per kilo on non-reusable plastic packaging. This regulatory pressure reduced consumption in volume terms, though the market value rose to 285 million US dollars due to the new tax and higher costs.

From 2023 to 2024, continued implementation of labelling requirements and preparation for further single-use plastic restrictions kept demand for primary forms subdued, with market volume reaching 90 100 tonnes in 2024, still below the 2021 peak. Domestic production, however, grew significantly from 4 300 tonnes in 2022 to 16 700 tonnes in 2024, indicating industry adaptation towards circular economy models and recycled content mandates under Regulation (EU) 2022/1616.

Production PS in primary forms in Spain

According to Faostat, there is no production of PS in primary forms in Spain.

Exports PS in primary forms from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Spain's exports of polystyrene in primary forms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain exported 40.7 thousand tons, representing a significant decrease of 56.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 37.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -14.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 110.3 thousand tons, which marked a 70.0% increase from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Italy, and Morocco were the main destinations for Spain's polystyrene exports in volume terms. Portugal accounted for 22.6% of exports, Italy for 16.1%, and Morocco for 12.0%. Together, these three countries represented 50.7% of Spain's total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's exports of polystyrene in primary forms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value amounted to 32.6 million US dollars, which is 74.6% lower than in 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value decreased by 81.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -43.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Portugal, France, and Italy were the key partners for Spain's polystyrene exports in value terms. Portugal accounted for 34.4% of export value, France for 14.1%, and Italy for 13.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 61.7% of Spain's total export value during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports PS in primary forms to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Spain's imports of polystyrene in primary forms declined in volume. In 2020, import volume totaled 81.2 thousand tons, showing a substantial reduction of 16.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 35.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 96.9 thousand tons, which represented a 48.5% increase from 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Italy, and the Netherlands were the leading suppliers of polystyrene in primary forms to Spain in volume terms. France accounted for 22.9% of imports, Italy for 17.6%, and the Netherlands for 14.3%. Together, these three countries made up 54.9% of Spain's total import volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's imports of polystyrene in primary forms reached 163.3 million US dollars, increasing by 15.1% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 5.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Italy continued to be the primary suppliers of polystyrene in primary forms to Spain in value terms. France accounted for 29.7% of import value, Germany for 13.9%, and Italy for 13.3%. Collectively, these three countries represented 56.9% of Spain's total import value during this timeframe.

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

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