Polystyrene Cellular Plates, Sheets and Films Market

The global market for cellular plates, sheets, and films of polymers of styrene is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.7% in volume and +4.7% in value from 2022 to 2030. The market saw a significant decline in 2022 after years of growth, with noticeable fluctuations in consumption and production recorded throughout the analyzed period. China, the United States, and India were the top consuming and producing countries in 2022, while Germany, Italy, and Austria were the largest exporters. Average import prices increased by 15% in 2022, reaching $3,502 per ton, while global exports rose by 3.9%, reaching $1.9B. Germany remained the largest exporter with a 17% share of global exports, followed by Poland and China. The average export price was $3,674 per ton in 2022, with significant variations among top exporting countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 9.8M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $100.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Cellular Plates, Sheets and Films of Polyymers of Styrene

In 2022, after seven years of growth, there was significant decline in consumption of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene, when its volume decreased by -8.6% to 7.9M tons. Overall, the total consumption indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +39.6% against 2013 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 8.7M tons, and then fell in the following year.

The value of the market for cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene worldwide fell to $70B in 2022, with a decrease of -2.7% 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). In general, the total consumption indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +50.6% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the market value increased by 9.7%. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $71.9B, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (1.7M tons), the United States (944K tons) and India (616K tons), together comprising 41% of global consumption. Russia, Indonesia, Japan, Poland, Germany, Mexico, Iran, South Korea, Egypt and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +13.2%), while styrene for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polystyrene cellular plates, sheets and films markets worldwide were China ($6.4B), the United States ($5.8B) and Japan ($3.1B), with a combined 22% share of the global market. India, Indonesia, Germany, Poland, Russia, Mexico, South Korea, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 13%.

Russia, with a CAGR of +9.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while styrene for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of per capita consumption of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene was registered in Poland (8.4 kg per person), followed by Saudi Arabia (3.7 kg per person), Russia (3.3 kg per person) and Germany (3.1 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of polystyrene cellular plates, sheets and films was estimated at 1 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the per capita consumption of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene in Poland stood at +6.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Saudi Arabia (+7.5% per year) and Russia (+13.1% per year).

Production

World Production of Cellular Plates, Sheets and Films of Polyymers of Styrene

After seven years of growth, production of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene decreased by -8% to 7.9M tons in 2022. Overall, the total production indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +39.5% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 8.6M tons, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, production of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene declined modestly to $69.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +7.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 11%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $72B, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (1.7M tons), the United States (942K tons) and India (614K tons), together comprising 41% of global production. Russia, Indonesia, Poland, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Iran, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and Egypt lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +13.6%), while styrene for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Cellular Plates, Sheets and Films of Polyymers of Styrene

In 2022, global imports of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene fell to 515K tons, declining by -7.7% on the previous year's figure. Overall, total imports indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% 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 +54.1% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 557K tons, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, imports of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene expanded remarkably to $1.8B in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% 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 +44.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 36% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of imports of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene in 2022 were Germany (53K tons), Italy (42K tons), Austria (29K tons), France (22K tons), Belgium (20K tons), the United States (19K tons), Iraq (15K tons), Hungary (15K tons), Malaysia (14K tons), the Netherlands (13K tons), Poland (13K tons) and Switzerland (13K tons), together resulting at 52% of total import. Slovenia (11K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iraq (with a CAGR of +25.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polystyrene cellular plates, sheets and films importing markets worldwide were Germany ($192M), Italy ($173M) and Austria ($95M), with a combined 26% share of global imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, Italy, with a CAGR of +21.5%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, 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 import price for cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene amounted to $3,502 per ton, with an increase of 15% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $3,578 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($4,532 per ton), while Iraq ($1,153 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+3.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Cellular Plates, Sheets and Films of Polyymers of Styrene

In 2022, approx. 515K tons of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene were exported worldwide; growing by 3.9% compared with 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 12% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, exports of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene rose notably to $1.9B in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated perceptible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% 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 +41.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Germany (83K tons), distantly followed by Poland (41K tons), Belgium (35K tons), Austria (35K tons), China (32K tons) and France (26K tons) were the largest exporters of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene, together creating 49% of total exports. Turkey (22K tons), Russia (20K tons), the United States (17K tons), Serbia (15K tons), Romania (14K tons), Greece (14K tons) and Spain (13K tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to polystyrene cellular plates, sheets and films exports from Germany stood at +2.2%. At the same time, Romania (+30.8%), France (+18.3%), Turkey (+16.6%), Russia (+14.0%), Serbia (+10.7%), Greece (+9.2%), China (+6.4%), Poland (+5.2%), Austria (+2.4%) and Belgium (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Romania emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +30.8% from 2012-2022. Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United States (-1.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of France (+3.6 p.p.), Turkey (+2.9 p.p.), Romania (+2.5 p.p.) and Russia (+2.3 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Belgium (-1.6 p.p.), the United States (-2.7 p.p.) and Germany (-3.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($330M) remains the largest polystyrene cellular plates, sheets and films supplier worldwide, comprising 17% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Poland ($154M), with an 8.2% share of global exports. It was followed by China, with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Germany stood at +1.2%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+6.3% per year) and China (+10.2% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average export price for cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene stood at $3,674 per ton in 2022, surging by 7.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 13% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $3,841 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 the United States ($7,278 per ton), while Russia ($1,471 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+3.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform