Non-Cellular Polystyrene Film Market

The article discusses the growth trends and forecasts for the global market of non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil, and strip. It highlights the expected increase in market volume and value over the next eight years, with China, the United States, and India being the top consumers. Production, imports, and exports data are also provided, showing fluctuations in consumption patterns amongst key countries. The average prices and rates of growth for imports and exports are analyzed, indicating significant differences among the major importing and exporting countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil and strip worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 6.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $24.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Non-Cellular Polystyrene Films, Sheets, Foil and Strip

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was decline in consumption of non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil and strip, when its volume decreased by -1% to 5.1M tons. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 5.2M tons in 2021, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

The global non-cellular polystyrene film market value fell slightly to $17.4B in 2022, waning by -2.2% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $17.8B in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (1.1M tons), the United States (625K tons) and India (425K tons), with a combined 41% share of global consumption. Brazil, Russia, Japan, Indonesia, Germany, France, Mexico, South Korea, Vietnam and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +8.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-cellular polystyrene film markets worldwide were China ($2.3B), the United States ($2.1B) and Japan ($1.2B), with a combined 32% share of the global market. India, Brazil, Russia, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, France, South Korea, Italy and Vietnam lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +7.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of non-cellular polystyrene film per capita consumption in 2022 were France (2 kg per person), South Korea (1.9 kg per person) and Germany (1.9 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +8.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Non-Cellular Polystyrene Films, Sheets, Foil and Strip

After four years of growth, production of non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil and strip decreased by -1.1% to 5.1M tons in 2022. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 8.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 5.1M tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, non-cellular polystyrene film production reduced to $16.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 21% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $18.1B, and then shrank in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (1.1M tons), the United States (628K tons) and India (418K tons), together comprising 43% of global production. Brazil, Japan, Russia, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, Italy, Turkey, South Korea and Vietnam lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +12.0%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Non-Cellular Polystyrene Films, Sheets, Foil and Strip

In 2022, approx. 710K tons of non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil and strip were imported worldwide; waning by -9.1% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate mild growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when imports increased by 6.4% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 781K tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, non-cellular polystyrene film imports fell modestly to $2.6B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 30% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $2.7B, leveling off in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, France (85K tons), followed by Germany (47K tons), the United States (41K tons), the Netherlands (39K tons), Poland (38K tons) and the UK (36K tons) represented the main importers of non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil and strip, together committing 40% of total imports. Spain (28K tons), Canada (26K tons), China (25K tons), Mexico (22K tons), Thailand (20K tons), Italy (20K tons) and the Czech Republic (18K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Thailand (with a CAGR of +18.4%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-cellular polystyrene film importing markets worldwide were France ($272M), the United States ($202M) and Germany ($183M), together accounting for 25% of global imports. Poland, the UK, China, Canada, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Mexico and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

Thailand, with a CAGR of +17.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average non-cellular polystyrene film import price amounted to $3,713 per ton, picking up by 9.3% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 24%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 China ($5,490 per ton), while Thailand ($2,297 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+2.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Non-Cellular Polystyrene Films, Sheets, Foil and Strip

Global non-cellular polystyrene film exports reduced to 698K tons in 2022, dropping by -9.5% on the previous year. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 772K tons, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, non-cellular polystyrene film exports reduced slightly to $2.6B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 35%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $2.7B, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (98K tons) and Germany (88K tons) represented the main exporters of non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil and stripacross the globe, together generating 27% of total exports. Portugal (50K tons) held a 7.2% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Italy (6.9%), the United States (6.4%), Austria (6.3%), Belgium (6%) and France (4.7%). The following exporters - the Czech Republic (24K tons), Japan (23K tons), Spain (22K tons), Turkey (22K tons) and Belarus (21K tons) - each amounted to a 16% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Turkey (with a CAGR of +12.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($407M), Austria ($227M) and China ($223M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 33% of global exports. The United States, Italy, Portugal, Japan, Belgium, Turkey, the Czech Republic, France, Spain and Belarus lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 46%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +14.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average non-cellular polystyrene film export price stood at $3,730 per ton in 2022, increasing by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.7%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 20% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($6,007 per ton), while China ($2,267 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+4.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform