Unlaminated plastics profiles market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The unlaminated plastics profiles market in Poland experienced a contraction in 2019, with production dipping to 132.2 thousand tons and market volume falling to 90.9 thousand tons, partly due to regulatory uncertainty as the country began consultations on implementing the EU Single-Use Plastics Directive. However, the market rebounded strongly over the next two years, with production reaching 163.2 thousand tons and market volume hitting 113.2 thousand tons by 2021. This recovery was propelled by the formal introduction of a fee on single-use plastic products in 2021, which encouraged manufacturers to shift towards more durable, reusable profile solutions. Additionally, rising interest in technical profiles as substitutes for aluminum—driven by increasing metal prices—attracted new private players like Żeltech to the segment, supporting production growth.

From 2022 onward, both import and export volumes entered a downward trend. Imports declined from 109.3 thousand tons in 2021 to 89.2 thousand tons in 2024, while exports fell from 159.3 to 150.3 thousand tons over the same period. A primary driver was the sharp increase in raw material costs, with prices for PET and polypropylene granules surging by over 40% year-on-year in 2022, elevating production expenses and making trade less competitive. Regulatory measures further tightened: the EU's ban on certain single-use plastic items took effect in 2023, and Poland introduced a plastic tax in 2024, raising compliance costs and accelerating the shift towards reusable profiles, which altered trade flows.

Structural changes towards circularity gained momentum, with pilot closed-loop recycling projects launched in 2023 and the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation setting a 25% recycled content target for single-use bottles by 2025, influencing profile design and material sourcing. The period also featured announced investments such as the Polimery Police plant, with a planned capacity of 437 thousand tons of polypropylene per year, aiming to boost domestic raw material supply for profile manufacturers.

Production unlaminated plastics profiles in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Poland, the output value of unlaminated plastics profiles reached 380.6 million US dollars in 2020, representing a controlled year-over-year increase of 9.3%. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2020, production decreased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 348.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 10.9%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Poland produced 143.3 thousand tonnes of unlaminated plastics profiles in 2020, marking an 8.4% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2018-2020 period, production grew by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.5%. The minimum production level was recorded in 2017 at 129.1 thousand tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 2.0% drop.

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

Exports unlaminated plastics profiles from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of unlaminated plastics profiles from Poland have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 128.8 thousand tonnes, showing a slight rise of 0.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10.7%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Ukraine, and Romania formed the core group of markets for Poland's exports of unlaminated plastics profiles in kind. Germany accounted for 25.5% of exports, Ukraine for 12.9%, and Romania for 12.1%, together representing 50.5% of total export flows.

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, M $ US

Poland's exports of unlaminated plastics profiles in value terms have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volume reached 359.1 million US dollars, indicating a 1.9% advance over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 16.9%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 5.4%.

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

The partner structure for Poland's exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Germany held 26.3% of exports, Ukraine 12.3%, and Romania 9.9%, together accounting for 48.5% of total flows, with no single country achieving a dominant share.

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

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

Imports unlaminated plastics profiles to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Poland's imports of unlaminated plastics profiles in kind stood at 95.9 thousand tonnes, showing a 10.6% advance year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 16.1%, corresponding to an annualized rate of 5.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 0.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany remained the primary source for Poland's imports of unlaminated plastics profiles in kind, capturing 82.0% of total imports, while the remaining volume was distributed among other countries.

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, M $ US

In 2020, Poland's imported volumes of unlaminated plastics profiles in value terms were recorded at 358.5 million US dollars, constituting a controlled increase of 9.6% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 19.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 4.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the geographical pattern of Poland's imports in value terms was characterized by a strong dominance of Germany, whose share reached 71.1% of total flows, with other partners holding relatively minor shares.

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

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