Europe: Polystyrene Market 2024

Polystyrene Market Size in Europe

In 2022, the Europe polystyrene market increased by 5.4% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2013; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Polystyrene Production in Europe

In value terms, polystyrene production contracted to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a pronounced setback. 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 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Polystyrene Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of polystyrene, when their volume decreased by -21.6% to X tons. Overall, exports saw a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 18% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then declined significantly in the following year.

In value terms, polystyrene exports declined to $X in 2022. In general, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 76% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) represented the largest exporters of polystyrene in 2022, recording near 20% and 16% of total exports, respectively. Belgium (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 9.5% share, followed by Italy (8.2%), Russia (6.4%), Germany (6.1%), Finland (6.1%), Hungary (4.9%) and Poland (4.8%). The following exporters - Greece (X tons) and Norway (X tons) - each accounted for a 7.5% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Norway (with a CAGR of +8.2%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polystyrene supplying countries in Europe were France ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X), together comprising 49% of total exports. Italy, Finland, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Greece, Russia and Norway lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Norway, with a CAGR of +7.2%, recorded 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 2022, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Export price indicated a modest increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% 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 +83.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 64% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was 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 Europe

In 2022, polystyrene imports in Europe dropped to X tons, waning by -5.9% on the previous year. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 11%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, polystyrene imports expanded rapidly to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% 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 +93.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 82% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

The purchases of the three major importers of polystyrene, namely Italy, Germany and Poland, represented more than third of total import. France (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 6.7% share, followed by Spain (5.6%). Romania (X tons), the UK (X tons), Austria (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Russia (X tons), Portugal (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +7.5%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polystyrene importing markets in Europe were Poland ($X), Germany ($X) and Italy ($X), with a combined 38% share of total imports. France, Spain, the UK, Romania, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Belgium and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

Among the main importing countries, Spain, with a CAGR of +8.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 Europe stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 14% against the previous year. Import price indicated a slight expansion 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 +85.4% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 63%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was 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