Unsaturated polyesters in primary forms market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for unsaturated polyesters in primary forms in Portugal declined from 17 848 t in 2018 to 12 873 t in 2020, then recovered to 16 676 t in 2023. This recovery was driven by a combination of investments in production capacity and growing demand for sustainable materials in the textile industry.

In 2018, expansion and modernization investments by domestic companies such as Grupo Lanema supported an increase in domestic production. From 2020, the rising adoption of recycled polyester and other sustainable raw materials, coupled with European policies aimed at making textiles more durable and recyclable, began to stimulate demand. By 2022, the use of recycled polyester in Portugal's textile industry reached 55%, bolstered by record textile exports and new investments, such as Mehler Engineered Products' move into elastic fabric production.

By 2023, the sustainability trend had solidified, with the Portuguese textile industry expanding its exports to over 900 million euros, creating steady demand for unsaturated polyesters, particularly in recycled forms.

Production unsaturated polyesters in primary forms in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Portugal's production of unsaturated polyesters in primary forms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 8 068 K $ US, representing a 9.8% decrease compared to 2019. From 2018 to 2020, production fell by 11%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 3.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2020, Portugal produced 5 021 t of unsaturated polyesters in primary forms, marking a 3.7% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2020, production increased by 13.7%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.4%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 215 t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 18.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports unsaturated polyesters in primary forms from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

In 2021, Portugal exported 4 076 t of unsaturated polyesters in primary forms, showing a 3.5% year-over-year increase. From 2018 to 2021, exports decreased by 4.3%, with an annualized decline rate of 1.5%. The lowest export volume was in 2020 at 3 939 t, which experienced the largest drop of 18.8%. In contrast, the highest export volume was in 2019 at 4 848 t, with the largest increase of 13.8% recorded that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain remained the primary destination for Portugal's exports of unsaturated polyesters in primary forms, accounting for 89.4% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Portugal's exports of unsaturated polyesters in primary forms rebounded in 2021, reaching 8 978 K $ US, a 39.7% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, exports grew by 3.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020 at 6 428 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 24.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Spain dominated Portugal's export structure in value terms, holding an 84.7% share of total exports. Other markets contributed to a smaller portion of the export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports unsaturated polyesters in primary forms to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, Portugal's imports of unsaturated polyesters in primary forms increased in 2021, totaling 12 456 t, up by 5.5% from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports decreased by 29.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 11.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2020 at 11 791 t, which experienced the largest drop of 20.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Italy, and Germany were the leading sources for Portugal's imports of unsaturated polyesters in primary forms by volume. Spain accounted for 59.3% of imports, Italy for 19.6%, and Germany for 9.0%, together making up 88.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Portugal's imports of unsaturated polyesters in primary forms surged in 2021, reaching 32 686 K $ US, a sharp 39.4% increase year-over-year. From 2018 to 2021, imports fell by 16.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.7%. The lowest value was in 2020 at 23 453 K $ US, while the largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 22.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain, Italy, and Germany were the key markets for Portugal's imports in value terms, collectively accounting for 86.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021