Unlaminated plastics profiles market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for unlaminated plastics profiles experienced significant volatility between 2018 and 2024. In physical terms, the market volume fell from 537.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 369.9 thousand tons in 2024, while its value dropped from 1.75 billion dollars to 1.22 billion dollars. After a sharp contraction in 2019, a modest recovery followed in 2020–2021, but the overall trend remained downward.

From 2023, the plastics processing industry faced rising production costs, including high raw material, energy, and logistics expenses, coupled with weaker private consumption. This eroded competitiveness, leading to lower sales and reduced investment across the sector.

The downturn intensified in 2024 with the introduction of a plastic tax on non‑recycled packaging, new EU eco‑design requirements, and the announced closure or relocation of production facilities by major chemical companies such as BASF and Evonik. These regulatory and structural pressures contributed to the market’s decline to 369.9 thousand tons by the end of the period.

Production unlaminated plastics profiles in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output value of unlaminated plastics profiles reached $2,894 million in 2020, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. Production declined by 6% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual decrease of 2.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $2,878 million, while the peak occurred in 2018 at $3,326 million. The most significant drop was in 2019 with a 13.5% decrease, whereas the largest increase was in 2018 at 8.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's production volume of unlaminated plastics profiles fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, output stood at 821.5 thousand tonnes, a slight contraction of 0.7% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.3%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 903.2 thousand tonnes. The sharpest decline was in 2019 at 8.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.6%.

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

Exports unlaminated plastics profiles from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of unlaminated plastics profiles in volume terms dropped for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 450.6 thousand tonnes, down 2.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 5.5%, with an average annual decline of 1.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of unlaminated plastics profiles in volume terms were not highly concentrated. Poland accounted for 17.5% of exports, France for 8.4%, and Italy for 6.4%, together making up just 32.3% of total 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 export value of unlaminated plastics profiles declined for the second straight year. In 2020, exports were valued at $1,965 million, remaining relatively stable compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 3.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -1.3%. The peak value was in 2018 at $2,071 million. The largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 4.9% decrease, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 1.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of unlaminated plastics profiles in value terms were distributed across a wide range of markets. Poland represented 13.2% of exports, Czechia 9.3%, and France 7.9%, together accounting for only 30.4% of total export value. The remaining 69.6% came from numerous smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports unlaminated plastics profiles to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's imports of unlaminated plastics profiles in volume terms reached 100.9 thousand tonnes, up 1.8% from the previous year. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 99.1 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 103.1 thousand tonnes. The most significant decrease was in 2019 at 3.9%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland was the leading source for Germany's imports of unlaminated plastics profiles in volume terms, accounting for 36.5% of imports. Belgium followed with 9.1%, and the Netherlands with 7.7%. Together, these three countries made up 53.3% 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

In 2020, Germany imported unlaminated plastics profiles valued at $469 million, a 6.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 5.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The lowest value was in 2019 at $469 million, and the highest was in 2018 at $499 million. The sharpest decline was in 2019 at 6.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for Germany's imports of unlaminated plastics profiles in value terms remained fragmented. Poland accounted for 18.6% of imports, Belgium for 14.6%, and Czechia for 11.1%, together representing only 44.3% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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