United Kingdom: Plastic Supports Market 2025

Plastic Supports Market Size in the UK

In 2022, after four years of decline, there was growth in the UK plastic supports market, when its value increased by 3.4% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Plastic Supports Production in the UK

In value terms, plastic supports production reached $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 264%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Plastic Supports Exports

Exports from the UK

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of spools, cops, bobbins and similar supports of plastics decreased by -1.5% to X tons in 2022. In general, total exports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +61.1% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 56% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, plastic supports exports dropped notably to $X in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +85.0% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 77% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then declined markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

Saudi Arabia (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main destinations of plastic supports exports from the UK, together comprising 45% of total exports. Italy, France, China, Taiwan (Chinese), the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Poland, Switzerland, Belgium and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 43%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of +88.7%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for plastic supports exported from the UK were Germany ($X), Japan ($X) and Turkey ($X), together comprising 47% of total exports. Portugal, France, Saudi Arabia, China, the United Arab Emirates, Taiwan (Chinese), Italy, Poland, Belgium and Switzerland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Portugal, with a CAGR of +89.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 plastic supports export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, falling by -13.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a perceptible reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 22%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+9.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Plastic Supports Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, the amount of spools, cops, bobbins and similar supports of plastics imported into the UK skyrocketed to X tons, rising by 96% on the previous year. In general, total imports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, plastic supports imports surged to $X in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, 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

Italy (X tons), Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main suppliers of plastic supports imports to the UK, together comprising 58% of total imports. Sweden, France, Ireland, Spain, the United States, China and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +10.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the largest plastic supports suppliers to the UK, with a combined 54% share of total imports.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +16.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the average plastic supports import price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 9.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 35% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Sweden ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+9.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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