Belgium: Polystyrene Market 2025

Polystyrene Market Size in Belgium

For the third year in a row, the Belgian polystyrene market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 256% to $X in 2022. Overall, consumption saw a prominent expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Polystyrene Production in Belgium

In value terms, polystyrene production reduced slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a abrupt descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 5%. Polystyrene production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Polystyrene Exports

Exports from Belgium

After three years of growth, overseas shipments of polystyrene decreased by -68.5% to X tons in 2022. Overall, exports showed a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 140%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then fell remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, polystyrene exports shrank sharply to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a drastic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 94% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main destinations of polystyrene exports from Belgium, together comprising 57% of total exports. The Netherlands, the UK, Poland, Italy, Spain and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of -4.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

In value terms, the largest markets for polystyrene exported from Belgium were Germany ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X), with a combined 56% share of total exports. Turkey, the UK, Poland, Italy, Spain and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +0.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced a decline.

Export Prices by Country

The average polystyrene export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, polystyrene export price increased by +103.3% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 64%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major foreign markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the highest price was recorded for prices to Poland ($X per ton) and Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Russia ($X per ton) and Turkey ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Italy (+4.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Polystyrene Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, overseas purchases of polystyrene decreased by -21.3% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 33% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, polystyrene imports contracted to $X in 2022. Overall, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 81% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of polystyrene imports to Belgium, with a combined 66% share of total imports. Spain, Italy, Turkey, the UK, the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +34.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) appeared to be the largest polystyrene suppliers to Belgium, together comprising 67% of total imports. Italy, Turkey, Austria, Spain, the Czech Republic, the UK and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Among the main suppliers, Turkey, with a CAGR of +37.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average polystyrene import price amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 8.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import price indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, polystyrene import price increased by +73.9% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 60%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+12.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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