Ireland: Market for Polyethylene in Primary Forms 2024

Market Size for Polyethylene in Primary Forms in Ireland

The Irish polyethylene in primary forms market reached $X in 2021, picking up by 4.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a noticeable decrease. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Exports from Ireland

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of polyethylene in primary forms, when their volume increased by 99% to X tons. In general, exports continue to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when exports increased by 197% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a resilient increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 98%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

France (X tons) was the main destination for polyethylene in primary forms exports from Ireland, accounting for a 31% share of total exports. Moreover, polyethylene in primary forms exports to France exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Spain (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the UK (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to France stood at +167.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+153.7% per year) and the UK (+9.3% per year).

In value terms, France ($X), the UK ($X) and Germany ($X) constituted the largest markets for polyethylene in primary forms exported from Ireland worldwide, with a combined 58% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Italy, Spain, Poland and Austria, which together accounted for a further 22%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +141.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average polyethylene in primary forms export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, with a decrease of -18.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a abrupt curtailment. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 32%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the UK (-1.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Polyethylene in Primary Forms

Imports into Ireland

Polyethylene in primary forms imports into Ireland surged to X tons in 2021, jumping by 25% compared with 2020 figures. In general, total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -6.8% against 2019 indices. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, polyethylene in primary forms imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The UK (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of polyethylene in primary forms imports to Ireland, with a combined 75% share of total imports. Germany, the United States, France, Poland, Qatar and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +33.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($X), the UK ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) appeared to be the largest polyethylene in primary forms suppliers to Ireland, together comprising 64% of total imports. These countries were followed by Germany, the United States, France, Poland, Spain and Qatar, which together accounted for a further 27%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Poland, with a CAGR of +31.2%, 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

The average polyethylene in primary forms import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 9.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a noticeable descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 17% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+3.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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