Water-based polymer paints and varnishes market in Romania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Romanian market for water-based polymer paints and varnishes expanded in volume from 193.7 thousand tons to 219.8 thousand tons, with a notable surge in 2020. Production volume also increased, reaching 189.2 thousand tons in 2020. During this period, environmental concerns regarding water pollution from the textile dyeing process highlighted potential regulatory pressures on the paints industry, though market growth continued.

After 2020, while comprehensive market size data is unavailable, trade dynamics show import values rising steadily from $80.7 million in 2020 to $108.1 million in 2024, despite fluctuating physical volumes. This coincided with the introduction of an environmental tax on non-recycled packaging for producers and importers and the EU ban on intentionally added microplastics in paints under Regulation (EU) 2023/2055, which altered product composition and increased costs. Concurrently, the local manufacturer Policolor-Orgachim invested in automating its production processes to address skilled labor shortages and improve efficiency.

By 2024, the continued enforcement of the EU microplastics ban and growing demand for eco-responsible packaging further shaped the market, encouraging investments in cleaner production technologies and influencing the structure of both imports and exports, which saw rising monetary values.

Production water-based polymer paints and varnishes in Romania

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Romania, the output value of water-based polymer paints and varnishes reached 186.7 million US dollars in 2020, marking a 17.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 23.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 2.3%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Water-based polymer paints and varnishes production in Romania increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Romania produced 189.2 thousand tonnes, showing a solid 14.3% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 11.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 155.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.6%.

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

Exports water-based polymer paints and varnishes from Romania

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, cross-border shipments of water-based polymer paints and varnishes from Romania declined. In 2020, exports totaled 6,037 tonnes, reflecting a moderate 10.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 22.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 7.1%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 6,711 tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 20.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for Romania's water-based polymer paints and varnishes exports in kind were Bulgaria (40.2% of exports), Greece (20.8%), and Moldova (18.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 79.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Water-based polymer paints and varnishes shipments from Romania abroad increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Romania exported 8.931 million US dollars' worth, corresponding to a slight 1.7% year-on-year rise. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 32.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the three largest markets for Romania's water-based polymer paints and varnishes exports in value terms were Bulgaria, Moldova, and Greece, collectively accounting for 72.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports water-based polymer paints and varnishes to Romania

Imports in kind, t

Romania imported 36,610 tonnes of water-based polymer paints and varnishes in 2020, amounting to a 3.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.1%, with a compound annual decline rate of 3.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 35,466 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 19.2%. In contrast, the highest import volume was in 2018 at 43,917 tonnes, which recorded the largest increase of 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of water-based polymer paints and varnishes to Romania were not heavily concentrated. Bulgaria (15.5% of imports), Germany (13.2%), and Italy (11.5%) together captured only 40.2% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Romania's water-based polymer paints and varnishes import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Romania imported 80.681 million US dollars' worth, corresponding to a limited 6.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 93.075 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 18.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany (17.5% of imports in value terms), France (17.3%), and Italy (16.8%) played the leading roles in water-based polymer paints and varnishes imports to Romania, jointly accounting for 51.6% of total flows.

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

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