Synthetic rubber market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The synthetic rubber market in Germany entered a period of contraction starting in 2018, pressured by a significant drop in domestic automotive production, which fell by 1.5 to 2 million vehicles per year. This decline, driven by global tensions and material shortages, directly reduced demand from the key rubber-consuming tire and automotive supplier industry. A broader economic deterioration in the rubber sector in 2019 further contributed to falling revenue across the product portfolio, driving the market volume down from 882 thousand tons to 695 thousand tons by 2020, even as Germany remained a leading global producer.

A brief recovery lifted the market to 745 thousand tons in 2021, but the rebound was short-lived. By 2022, market volume fell again to 660 thousand tons, as the industry, which primarily supplies chemical intermediates for products like tires, faced ongoing instability in its key downstream sectors. No specific regulatory changes were documented to counter this trend during this period.

From 2023 onward, weak demand and economic challenges became pronounced, with sales volume of plastics and synthetic rubber in the major production region of North Rhine-Westphalia falling by 11% and the national sales value dropping by around 20%. In 2024, the market continued to be shaped by weak demand, rising costs, and declining competitiveness, leading to a further drop in volume to 554 thousand tons. The industry responded with investments of 740 million euros to secure future viability and launched a project to develop bio-based raw materials for synthetic rubber. Concurrently, rubber prices surged by nearly 50% due to supply deficits and investment programs in China, even as German exports faced increasing competitive pressure.

Production synthetic rubber in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's synthetic rubber production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 1 099 million US dollars, marking a significant 17.7% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 25.4%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 9.3%. The peak was reached in 2018, with production valued at 1 529 million US dollars, and that year also saw the largest increase at 3.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's synthetic rubber production volume has decreased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 997 thousand tonnes, down 8.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 19.3%, averaging a 6.9% annual reduction.

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

Exports synthetic rubber from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of synthetic rubber have fallen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 767.9 thousand tonnes, a 7.4% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany's synthetic rubber exports in volume terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. The United States accounted for 8.7% of exports, Belgium for 8.5%, and China for 8.0%, with these three countries together making up just 25.2% of total export flows.

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

Germany's synthetic rubber exports in value terms have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 1 178 million US dollars, a sharp 21.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 30.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 719 million US dollars, and that year also saw the largest increase at 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's synthetic rubber exports in value terms showed a relatively low concentration. The United States represented 11.0% of exports, Belgium 8.8%, and China 8.1%, with these three destinations together accounting for only 27.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports synthetic rubber to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of synthetic rubber have decreased for the third year running. In 2020, imports totaled 466.2 thousand tonnes, a notable 12.4% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 18.8%, averaging a 6.7% annual decline.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany's synthetic rubber imports in volume terms were widely distributed across partner countries. Russia accounted for 12.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 12.1%, and France for 11.1%, with these three sources together representing 35.5% of total import flows.

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

Germany's synthetic rubber imports in value terms have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 952 million US dollars, down 21.9% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 32.1%, averaging a 12.1% annual reduction.

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

Over the period 2017-2020, Germany's synthetic rubber imports in value terms were relatively evenly spread. The United States accounted for 13.7% of imports, France for 11.4%, and Japan for 10.9%, with these three countries together making up 36.0% of total import value.

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

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