EU: Plastic Container Market 2024

Plastic Container Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU plastic container market increased by 294% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption enjoyed resilient growth. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Plastic Container Production in the EU

In value terms, plastic container production rose remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Plastic Container Exports

Exports in the EU

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of plastic containers increased by 6.4% to X tons in 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic container exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons), Italy (X tons), Spain (X tons), Poland (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Austria (X tons) represented the major exporters of plastic containers, together creating 82% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +6.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the largest plastic container supplier in the European Union, comprising 24% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Germany amounted to +4.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+6.9% per year) and France (+3.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 13% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Austria ($X per ton) and Germany ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Belgium ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+4.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Container Imports

Imports in the EU

For the tenth consecutive year, the European Union recorded growth in overseas purchases of plastic containers, which increased by 6% to X tons in 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, plastic container imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +22.1% against 2018 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Belgium (X tons), France (X tons), Austria (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Italy (X tons) represented the main importers of plastic containers, together generating 69% of total imports. Poland (X tons), Denmark (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to plastic container imports into Germany stood at +2.5%. At the same time, Portugal (+21.3%), Hungary (+8.5%), Belgium (+7.7%), Italy (+6.2%), Poland (+5.6%), Sweden (+5.5%), the Netherlands (+5.4%), Denmark (+3.6%), Austria (+3.5%), Spain (+2.7%) and France (+2.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Portugal emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +21.3% from 2012-2021. The Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Belgium (+2.3 p.p.) and Portugal (+2.2 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of the Czech Republic (-2 p.p.), France (-2.2 p.p.) and Germany (-4.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported plastic containers in the European Union, comprising 23% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 10% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 9.2% share.

In Germany, plastic container imports increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+2.4% per year) and the Netherlands (+8.1% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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