Unlaminated plastics profiles market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain's trade in unlaminated plastics profiles shifted considerably. Imports fell sharply from 87.9 thousand tons in 2018 to 40.4 thousand tons in 2020 before a partial recovery to 44.1 thousand tons in 2021. Exports remained more stable, fluctuating between 40.3 and 48.0 thousand tons over the same period. By 2021, the domestic market volume stood at 142.5 thousand tons, with a corresponding value of $460.3 million.

From 2022, the market was reshaped by new environmental legislation. The approval of Spain's Law 7/2022 on waste and a special tax on non-reusable plastic packaging, effective from January 2023, directly increased costs for producers and users of single-use plastic items. This regulatory pressure contributed to a continued decline in the physical market volume, which fell to 99.7 thousand tons by 2024. However, stricter EU and national rules on recycled content and food-contact materials, fully enforced from 2024, elevated production costs and shifted demand toward certified recycled plastics. Consequently, while the market shrank in tonnage, its total value grew to $477.8 million in 2024, reflecting these higher-cost sustainable materials and compliance expenses.

Production unlaminated plastics profiles in Spain

According to Faostat, there is no production of unlaminated plastics profiles in Spain.

Exports unlaminated plastics profiles from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's exports of unlaminated plastics profiles declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 40,346 tonnes. This represents a decrease of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 16.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 48,032 tonnes, which marked a significant increase of 38.5% from the previous year. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest decline of 14.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's exports of unlaminated plastics profiles were not heavily concentrated in a few key markets. The top three destinations—Czechia (17.0% of exports), Portugal (14.5%), and France (13.8%)—collectively accounted for 45.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain exported unlaminated plastics profiles worth $287.9 million, showing an increase of 9.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports rose by 9.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $262.9 million, which also saw the largest decline of 2.7%.

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

The partner structure for exports in value terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. Czechia (15.2% of exports), Portugal (10.7%), and the Philippines (10.0%) together made up 35.9% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

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

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

Imports unlaminated plastics profiles to Spain

Imports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports of unlaminated plastics profiles to Spain peaked in 2018 at 87,881 tonnes, then fell to their lowest point in 2020 at 40,430 tonnes—a 2.2-fold variation. In 2020, imports dropped sharply by 52.8% compared to the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 73.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany (42.8% of imports), France (26.9%), and Belgium (7.0%) were the main sources in the geographical breakdown of unlaminated plastics profiles imports to Spain, together accounting for 76.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decrease, Spain's imports of unlaminated plastics profiles in value terms increased in 2020, reaching $126.2 million—up by 4.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports declined by 7.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at $120.8 million, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.7%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Germany (42.9% of imports), Belgium (13.3%), and Italy (9.6%) remained the key partners for imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 65.7% of total flows.

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

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