PS in primary forms market in the Netherlands

Earlier Report Observations

In the late 2010s, the Dutch polystyrene market experienced import volatility, with a surge to 161.9 thousand tonnes in 2019 driven by uncertainties in the global plastics market and an inflow of raw materials from the United States. By 2021, production reached 335.1 thousand tonnes and exports peaked at 314.4 thousand tonnes, supported by rising demand for expanded polystyrene in the construction sectors of North America and Asia-Pacific, alongside a restructuring of European production capacity that included the potential closure of Trinseo's plant in Germany.

From 2022 onward, the market contracted sharply. Production fell to 212.7 thousand tonnes by 2024, and market volume halved from 109.4 thousand tonnes to 57.8 thousand tonnes. This decline was primarily driven by a loss of competitiveness in the European plastics industry due to high energy costs and changing global tariff regimes, which reduced both import and export flows. The increase in the waste tax on incineration and landfilling in 2024 further pressured the market by raising disposal costs for polystyrene products.

By 2025, new EU regulations such as the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation and the Single-Use Plastics Directive came into force, mandating waste reduction and higher recycling targets for polystyrene packaging, continuing to constrain the primary market. Concurrently, the opening of the PolyStyreneLoop recycling plant in Terneuzen and subsidies for switching to circular plastics supported a shift toward recycling and sustainable materials, reshaping the market's focus.

Production PS in primary forms in the Netherlands

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

Annual dynamics of production in the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports PS in primary forms from the Netherlands

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of PS in primary forms from the Netherlands grew for the second year in a row. In 2021, exports reached 314.4 K t, showing a strong increase of 12.5% compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports rose by 23.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 252.0 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, Poland, and Italy were the top destinations for exports in kind, accounting for 32.5%, 13.7%, and 7.3% of the total, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 53.4% of all export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. Exports in value terms peaked in 2021 at 687.5 M $ US, which was 94.9% higher than in 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 352.8 M $ US, with the largest decline of 22.7% occurring in 2019. Overall, there was a 1.9-fold difference between the maximum in 2021 and the minimum in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Poland, and Italy led as the main buyers of PS in primary forms from the Netherlands in value terms, with shares of 32.2%, 13.3%, and 7.2%, respectively. Their combined share totaled 52.7% of all exports in value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021

Imports PS in primary forms to the Netherlands

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of PS in primary forms into the Netherlands were volatile during these years. In 2021, imports amounted to 88.6 K t, marking a 14.9% increase from 2020. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 161.9 K t, with the largest increase of 72.1% that year. The lowest volume was in 2020 at 77.2 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 52.3%. Overall, imports varied by 2.1 times from the high in 2019 to the low in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Belgium were the primary suppliers of PS in primary forms to the Netherlands in kind, with shares of 33.7%, 19.6%, and 13.0%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 66.4% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of decline, imports of PS in primary forms into the Netherlands rebounded in 2021, reaching 170.7 M $ US, a 44.3% increase from 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 5%, with an average annual decline of 1.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 118.3 M $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 32.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Germany, Belgium, and Poland consistently topped the list of suppliers in value terms, with shares of 34.8%, 16.9%, and 12.4%, respectively. Their combined share made up 64.1% of total import flows in value.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the Netherlands in value, 2018-2021