Reclaimed rubber market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The reclaimed rubber market in Poland contracted from 13.1 thousand t in 2019 to 10.9 thousand t in 2020. This decline was primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted production and supply chains in the rubber industry. Concurrently, Poland introduced higher fines for illegal waste dumping and simplified waste segregation rules, aiming to improve waste management for materials like reclaimed rubber.

Market volume continued to decrease, reaching 9.4 thousand t in 2021 and 8.6 thousand t in 2022. During this period, the broader rubber and plastic products industry in Poland saw a 17.27% turnover growth to 34.4 billion euros in 2022, indicating sectoral expansion that did not translate into higher reclaimed rubber consumption.

By 2024, the market volume fell sharply to 3.5 thousand t. Regulatory developments played a key role: Poland enacted a 'plastic tax' on single-use plastics in 2024 and experienced ongoing delays in implementing the Extended Producer Responsibility system, creating uncertainty that affected market activity.

Production reclaimed rubber in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Poland's output of reclaimed rubber was valued at 16 377 thousand US dollars, marking a slight decrease of 0.6% compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Poland produced 11 245 tonnes of reclaimed rubber, which remained relatively stable compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Poland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports reclaimed rubber from Poland

Exports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Poland exported 2 438 tonnes of reclaimed rubber, representing a significant increase of 111.4% over the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 16.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of reclaimed rubber from Poland in volume terms were Czechia, accounting for 20.3% of exports, Thailand with 19.9%, and China at 15.4%. Together, these three countries comprised 55.5% of Poland's total reclaimed rubber exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Poland exported reclaimed rubber worth 1 099 thousand US dollars, reflecting an 11.1% year-on-year increase. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 27.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 291 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 49.5%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 23.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Poland's reclaimed rubber exports in value terms were highly diversified. Russia was the top destination with 16.8% of exports, followed by Czechia at 15.7%, and Switzerland at 13.2%. These three countries together accounted for only 45.7% of total export value, while a long tail of smaller markets made up the remaining 54.3%.

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

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

Imports reclaimed rubber to Poland

Imports in kind, t

Poland's imports of reclaimed rubber declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 2 057 tonnes, showing a sharp drop of 30.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 46.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 4 109 tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the primary supplier of reclaimed rubber to Poland in volume terms, contributing 27.3% of imports. India followed with 21.8%, and the Netherlands with 15.5%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 64.6% of Poland's total reclaimed rubber imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign supplies of reclaimed rubber to Poland fell for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 2 024 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp decline of 26.2% versus the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports dropped by 60.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -26.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India remained the leading supplier of reclaimed rubber to Poland in value terms, accounting for 24.9% of imports. Germany followed closely with 24.3%, and Hungary with 20.0%. Together, these three countries formed 69.2% of Poland's total reclaimed rubber imports by value.

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

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