Europe: Plastic Container Market 2024

Plastic Container Market Size in Europe

The Europe plastic container market skyrocketed to $X in 2021, rising by 218% against the previous year. Overall, consumption enjoyed a resilient increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Plastic Container Production in Europe

In value terms, plastic container production amounted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Plastic Container Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in shipments abroad of plastic containers, when their volume increased by 6.8% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 11% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, plastic container exports soared to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, 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), Austria (X tons) and Switzerland (X tons) represented the major exporters of plastic containers, together constituting 75% of total exports. The following exporters - the UK (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Hungary (X tons) and Belarus (X tons) - together made up 12% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Hungary (with a CAGR of +10.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the largest plastic container supplier in Europe, comprising 20% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($X), with a 9.5% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value in Germany totaled +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

The export price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 13% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. As a result, the export 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 exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($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 (+4.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Container Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2021, overseas purchases of plastic containers 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 +4.2% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 19%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, plastic container imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% 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 +18.2% against 2018 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons) and the UK (X tons) represented the largest importers of plastic containers in 2021, recording approx. 17% and 12% of total imports, respectively. The Netherlands (X tons) held an 8% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Belgium (7.9%), France (7.6%), Austria (6.4%) and Spain (4.5%). Italy (X tons), Poland (X tons), Denmark (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Portugal (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +21.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported plastic containers in Europe, comprising 19% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($X), with an 8.5% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Germany amounted to +5.5%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+4.4% per year) and France (+2.4% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, growing by 17% against the previous year. Over the last nine-year period, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: 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