EU: Polyurethanes Market 2024

Polyurethanes Market Size in the EU

The EU polyurethanes market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after three years of decline. In general, consumption saw a noticeable shrinkage. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Polyurethanes Production in the EU

In value terms, polyurethanes production rose notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a slight decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Polyurethanes Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, overseas shipments of polyurethanes in primary forms increased by 11% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, polyurethanes exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Germany represented the largest exporter of polyurethanes in primary forms in the European Union, with the volume of exports accounting for X tons, which was near 40% of total exports in 2021. Italy (X tons) held an 18% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by the Netherlands (9.8%), Belgium (8.7%), Spain (7.5%) and France (6.7%). Greece (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to polyurethanes exports from Germany stood at +3.9%. At the same time, Greece (+7.7%), France (+4.6%), Spain (+3.7%), Belgium (+3.5%) and the Netherlands (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Greece emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +7.7% from 2012-2021. Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Germany (+4.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Italy (-4.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the largest polyurethanes supplier in the European Union, comprising 41% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Italy ($X), with a 15% share of total exports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 11% share.

In Germany, polyurethanes exports increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (+1.2% per year) and the Netherlands (+4.9% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 17% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.0%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($X per ton), while Greece ($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 Netherlands (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Polyurethanes Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, overseas purchases of polyurethanes in primary forms were finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, polyurethanes imports soared to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the major importers of polyurethanes in primary forms in 2021, accounting for near 19% and 16% of total imports, respectively. France (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 9.7% share, followed by Spain (8.2%), the Netherlands (7.7%), Poland (6.8%), Belgium (6.3%) and Austria (4.6%). The Czech Republic (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Romania (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polyurethanes importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), Italy ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 43% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Belgium, Austria, the Czech Republic, Sweden, Portugal, Romania and Hungary, which together accounted for a further 46%.

Portugal, with a CAGR of +9.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries 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 the European Union amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($X per ton), while Hungary ($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 (+3.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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