EU: Polystyrene Market 2024

Polystyrene Market Size in the EU

In 2022, the EU polystyrene market increased by 8.6% to $X, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Polystyrene Production in the EU

In value terms, polystyrene production reduced to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production saw a perceptible descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Polystyrene Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2022, overseas shipments of polystyrene decreased by -23.6% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. Overall, exports showed a noticeable slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 19%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped markedly in the following year.

In value terms, polystyrene exports declined to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 76%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the key exporters of polystyrene in 2022, accounting for near 23% and 18% of total exports, respectively. Belgium (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with an 11% share, followed by Italy (9.2%), Germany (6.9%), Finland (6.9%), Hungary (5.6%) and Poland (5.4%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +4.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polystyrene supplying countries in the European Union were France ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X), together comprising 53% of total exports. Italy, Finland, Germany, Poland and Hungary lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +6.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Export price indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 +89.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 63%. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Belgium ($X per ton), while Germany ($X per ton) and Finland ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+2.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Polystyrene Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was decline in supplies from abroad of polystyrene, when their volume decreased by -3% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 8.4% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, polystyrene imports amounted to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +95.4% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 77% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of polystyrene imports in 2022 were Italy (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Poland (X tons), together amounting to 45% of total import. France (X tons) held an 8.1% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Spain (6.8%) and Romania (4.9%). The following importers - Austria (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) - together made up 22% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Lithuania (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($X), Germany ($X) and Italy ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 45% of total imports. France, Spain, Romania, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Hungary, Belgium and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

Among the main importing countries, Lithuania, with a CAGR of +11.5%, 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

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 14% against the previous year. Import price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% 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 +85.9% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 64% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Poland ($X per ton) and France ($X per ton), while Belgium ($X per ton) and Spain ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+2.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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