Starch-manufacture residues market in Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The European starch-manufacture residues market contracted significantly over the 2018–2023 period, falling from 6,624 thousand tons to 4,416 thousand tons. This decline was marked by a sharp drop in 2019 and again in 2023, with a partial recovery in between that saw market volume temporarily rise above 5,500 thousand tons.

In 2022, the market stabilized near 5,443 thousand tons. The energy crisis and the conflict in Ukraine reduced industrial activity and the generation of special waste in key markets like Italy, applying downward pressure. Concurrently, stricter European and national regulations, such as Spain's Law 7/2022 taxing non-reusable plastic packaging, began pushing packaging sectors towards biodegradable alternatives, creating new potential demand streams for starch-based materials.

By 2023, the market volume fell sharply to 4,416 thousand tons. During this year, the waste management and recycling sector in countries like Spain and Italy reported growth and increased activity, supported by circular economy regulations. However, broader economic challenges likely contributed to the overall reduction in the volume of starch-manufacture residues entering the market.

Production starch-manufacture residues in Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of starch-manufacture residues, 2017-2020

World map of production of starch-manufacture residues, 2017-2020

In 2019, Europe's production of starch-manufacture residues reached its lowest point at 5 151 K t, followed by a moderate 6.2% year-on-year increase to 5 471 K t in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 5.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 6 595 K t, which saw the largest increase of 27.2%, while 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 21.9%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of starch-manufacture residues in Europe was 3 393 M $ US, showing only a marginal change compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 9.1%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 2.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 548 M $ US, which saw the largest increase of 46.2%, while 2019 experienced the most significant decline of 25.7%.

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

Exports starch-manufacture residues from Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Europe's export volume of starch-manufacture residues increased for the second consecutive year, reaching 1 009 K t in 2020, an 11.3% rise from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 894 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 6.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey, the United States, and Norway formed the core of Europe's exports in kind, accounting for 5.2%, 1.4%, and 0.7% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 7.4% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Europe exported 625.9 M $ US worth of starch-manufacture residues, marking a 5.1% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value rose by 9.6%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.5%, while the highest increase was recorded in 2018 at 8.1%.

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

During 2017-2020, Europe's export structure in value terms remained highly diversified. The United States, Turkey, and Norway accounted for 10.3%, 3.3%, and 2.3% of total export value, respectively, together making up 15.9% of all flows. The remaining 84.1% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports starch-manufacture residues to Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Europe's imports of starch-manufacture residues totaled 806 K t, a robust 20.3% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 2.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 670 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 27.4%, while the peak was in 2018 at 924 K t.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China and the United States were the key partner countries for Europe's imports of starch-manufacture residues in kind, jointly accounting for 8.4% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Europe imported approximately 623.5 M $ US worth of starch-manufacture residues, an 11.4% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 5.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 559.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 11.6%, while the peak was in 2018 at 633.7 M $ US.

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

During 2017-2020, China, the United States, and Norway accounted for the largest shares of Europe's imports in value terms, with 13.4%, 2.3%, and 1.0% of total imports, respectively. Together, these three countries comprised 16.6% of all import flows.

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

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