Eastern Europe: Lactam Market 2025

Lactam Market Size in Eastern Europe

The East European lactam market contracted modestly to $X in 2021, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lactam Production in Eastern Europe

In value terms, lactam production totaled $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a pronounced reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 6.8%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Lactam Exports

Exports in Eastern Europe

For the fourth year in a row, Eastern Europe recorded decline in overseas shipments of lactams from heterocyclic compounds, which decreased by -5.6% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports showed a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 9.6% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, lactam exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a abrupt decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 52% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Russia represented the largest exporting country with an export of about X tons, which recorded 69% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the Czech Republic (X tons) and Poland (X tons), together mixing up a 28% share of total exports.

Russia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of lactams from heterocyclic compounds. The Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Poland (-10.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Russia and the Czech Republic increased by +20 and +4.4 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Russia ($X) remains the largest lactam supplier in Eastern Europe, comprising 60% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Czech Republic ($X), with an 18% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Russia stood at -4.8%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Czech Republic (-1.6% per year) and Poland (-10.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 44% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible reduction. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (-0.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Lactam Imports

Imports in Eastern Europe

In 2021, imports of lactams from heterocyclic compounds in Eastern Europe skyrocketed to X tons, growing by 19% against 2020 figures. Total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +53.7% against 2015 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lactam imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Poland was the key importing country with an import of around X tons, which resulted at 52% of total imports. Hungary (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Slovakia (X tons), Russia (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons). All these countries together held approx. 44% share of total imports. The following importers - Belarus (X tons) and Romania (X tons) - each accounted for a 3.6% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lactam imports into Poland stood at +6.2%. At the same time, Hungary (+24.9%), Romania (+23.1%), Slovakia (+7.1%), the Czech Republic (+2.8%) and Belarus (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hungary emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Eastern Europe, with a CAGR of +24.9% from 2012-2021. Russia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Hungary (+9.9 p.p.) and Poland (+2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of the Czech Republic (-2.1 p.p.) and Russia (-8.5 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Poland ($X), Romania ($X) and Hungary ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together comprising 67% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Romania, with a CAGR of +56.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 2021, the import price in Eastern Europe amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Import price indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, lactam import price increased by +122.8% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 56% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Romania ($X per ton), while Slovakia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+26.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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