Global Expandable Polystyrene Market to Grow at 2.0% CAGR until 2030

IndexBox has just published a new report: World - Expansible Polystyrene In Primary Forms - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

Driven by increasing demand worldwide, the market for expansible polystyrene is projected to expand with a CAGR of +2.0% in volume and +4.3% in value from 2023 to 2030. This growth trend indicates a positive outlook for the industry in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for expansible polystyrene in primary forms worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next seven-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.0% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 12M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.3% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $22.4B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

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Consumption

World Consumption of Expansible Polystyrene In Primary Forms

In 2023, global expansible polystyrene consumption stood at 10M tons, remaining stable against 2022 figures. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Global consumption peaked at 10M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global expansible polystyrene market revenue dropped to $16.7B in 2023, waning by -11.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level at $18.9B in 2022, and then contracted in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2023 were China (1.9M tons), the United States (992K tons) and India (768K tons), with a combined 36% share of global consumption. Pakistan, Germany, Russia, Japan, Brazil, Mexico and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Pakistan (with a CAGR of +4.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest expansible polystyrene markets worldwide were China ($2.5B), the United States ($2B) and India ($1.1B), with a combined 34% share of the global market. Germany, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Japan and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +3.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of expansible polystyrene per capita consumption in 2023 were Germany (5.5 kg per person), Japan (3.1 kg per person) and Turkey (3 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +3.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Expansible Polystyrene In Primary Forms

In 2023, approx. 9.9M tons of expansible polystyrene in primary forms were produced worldwide; leveling off at the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2013 to 2023; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 17%. Global production peaked at 9.9M tons in 2021; afterwards, it flattened through to 2023.

In value terms, expansible polystyrene production declined to $16.2B in 2023 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 29% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $18.7B in 2022, and then dropped in the following year.

Production By Country

China (2.2M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of expansible polystyrene production, accounting for 22% of total volume. Moreover, expansible polystyrene production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (889K tons), twofold. India (770K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7.8% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+4.6% per year) and India (+2.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Expansible Polystyrene In Primary Forms

In 2023, global imports of expansible polystyrene in primary forms declined to 2.4M tons, reducing by -7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum at 2.7M tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, expansible polystyrene imports reduced rapidly to $4.3B in 2023. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 74% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at $6B in 2022, and then plummeted in the following year.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the nine major importers of expansible polystyrene in primary forms, namely Poland, the United States, Italy, Germany, France, Vietnam, Mexico, Romania and the Netherlands, represented more than third of total import. Spain (57K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +7.2%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($480M), the United States ($355M) and Italy ($307M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, with a combined 26% share of global imports.

Italy, with a CAGR of +9.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average expansible polystyrene import price stood at $1,832 per ton in 2023, declining by -21.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 60%. Global import price peaked at $2,345 per ton in 2022, and then fell rapidly in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2023, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in France ($2,125 per ton) and the Netherlands ($2,074 per ton), while Vietnam ($1,435 per ton) and Romania ($1,672 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.8%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Expansible Polystyrene In Primary Forms

In 2023, the amount of expansible polystyrene in primary forms exported worldwide dropped to 2.2M tons, declining by -9% on 2022. In general, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 14%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 2.5M tons. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the global exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, expansible polystyrene exports shrank sharply to $4B in 2023. Overall, exports continue to indicate a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 79% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $5.6B in 2022, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2023, China (339K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (287K tons), Germany (274K tons) and the Netherlands (239K tons) represented the major exporter of expansible polystyrene in primary forms in the world, generating 51% of total export. Austria (144K tons) held a 6.5% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Turkey (6.1%). Belgium (97K tons), the United States (76K tons), France (76K tons) and Canada (65K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Turkey (with a CAGR of +23.6%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($564M), the Netherlands ($442M) and China ($432M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2023, with a combined 36% share of global exports. Taiwan (Chinese), Austria, Belgium, Turkey, the United States, France and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

Among the main exporting countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of +20.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2023, the average expansible polystyrene export price amounted to $1,790 per ton, falling by -21.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a slight descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 57%. The global export price peaked at $2,272 per ton in 2022, and then fell sharply in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($2,456 per ton), while China ($1,274 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+1.1%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform