Europe: Natural Polymers Market 2024

Natural Polymers Market Size in Europe

The Europe natural polymers market shrank to $X in 2021, with a decrease of -8.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a perceptible setback. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Natural Polymers Production in Europe

In value terms, natural polymers production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 21%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Natural Polymers Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, approx. X tons of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms were exported in Europe; increasing by 31% on the previous year's figure. Total exports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +65.6% against 2018 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, natural polymers exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Italy was the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which accounted for 51% of total exports. The Netherlands (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by France (X tons) and Germany (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 33% share of total exports. The following exporters - the UK (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) - each resulted at an 8.8% share of total exports.

Italy was also the fastest-growing in terms of the natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms exports, with a CAGR of +18.8% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, the Netherlands (+13.8%), Spain (+7.1%) and Germany (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, France (-1.0%), the UK (-3.1%) and Belgium (-5.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Italy and the Netherlands increased by +33 and +6.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, France ($X), Italy ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, together comprising 39% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +16.5%, 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 Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, waning by -2.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a pronounced setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while Italy ($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 UK (+8.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Natural Polymers Imports

Imports in Europe

For the fifth year in a row, Europe recorded growth in purchases abroad of natural and modified natural polymers in primary forms, which increased by 15% to X tons in 2021. Total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% 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 +82.4% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 20% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

In value terms, natural polymers imports rose markedly to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% 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 +67.6% against 2015 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of natural polymers imports in 2021 were Russia (X tons), Germany (X tons), France (X tons), the UK (X tons), Spain (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons), together amounting to 61% of total import. Belgium (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 4.8% share, followed by Italy (4.8%). Romania (X tons), Slovenia (X tons), Poland (X tons), Greece (X tons) and Denmark (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovenia (with a CAGR of +54.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest natural polymers importing markets in Europe were Germany ($X), Spain ($X) and France ($X), with a combined 35% share of total imports. The Netherlands, the UK, Belgium, Italy, Russia, Denmark, Poland, Romania, Slovenia and Greece lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 47%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Slovenia, with a CAGR of +32.1%, saw 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 Europe amounted to $X per ton, flattening at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price continues to indicate a mild setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 an increase of 11%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2014 to 2021, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Denmark ($X per ton), while Romania ($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 (+11.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform