Plastic Plate, Sheet, Film, Foil And Strip Market

The global market for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil, and strip is experiencing an upward consumption trend, with forecasts showing accelerated growth in market performance. Consumption reached 53M tons in 2022, but the market is expected to expand to 61M tons by 2030. China is the largest consumer of these products, with the United States and India also significant contributors. Production decreased in 2022 to 53M tons, with the most rapid growth seen in 2021. Imports and exports also play a significant role in the market, with China, Germany, and the US being major exporters. Non-cellular polyethylene films, sheets, and foil are among the most exported products. Prices have fluctuated over the years but are expected to continue growing in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 61M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $263.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Plastic Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil And Strip

In 2022, consumption of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip decreased by -8.2% to 53M tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 6.9% against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 57M tons, and then shrank in the following year.

The value of the market for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip worldwide shrank to $193.2B in 2022, dropping by -8% 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, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $210.1B, and then shrank in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (12M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of consumption of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, accounting for 22% of total volume. Moreover, consumption of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (4.9M tons), twofold. The United States (3M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 5.6% share.

In China, consumption of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip expanded at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: India (+1.4% per year) and the United States (+2.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($34.1B), Japan ($29.5B) and India ($11.8B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together accounting for 39% of the global market. The United States, Germany, Italy, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, Russia and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

South Korea, with a CAGR of +2.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while strip for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of plastic plate, sheet, film, foil and strip per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (25 kg per person), Germany (22 kg per person) and South Korea (20 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of strip, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +4.1%), while strip for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Plastic Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil And Strip

After two years of growth, production of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip decreased by -8.2% to 53M tons in 2022. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 7%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 58M tons, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, production of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip dropped to $198.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, global production of attained the peak level at $219.6B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (14M tons) remains the largest plastic plate, sheet, film, foil and strip producing country worldwide, accounting for 27% of total volume. Moreover, production of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (4.8M tons), threefold. Germany (2.5M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 4.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China totaled +3.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+1.0% per year) and Germany (+0.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Plastic Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil And Strip

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was decline in supplies from abroad of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, when their volume decreased by -3% to 19M tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 10%. Over the period under review, global imports of attained the maximum at 19M tons in 2021, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, imports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip amounted to $73B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% 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 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (1.8M tons), followed by Germany (1.1M tons) and France (1M tons) were the major importers of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, together creating 21% of total imports. Italy (768K tons), China (728K tons), Spain (632K tons), Belgium (622K tons), the UK (618K tons), Mexico (586K tons), India (574K tons), Japan (565K tons), the Netherlands (543K tons) and Poland (509K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +12.4%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($7B), China ($7B) and Germany ($4.3B) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 25% of global imports. France, Italy, Mexico, the UK, Poland, Spain, Japan, India, the Netherlands and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

India, with a CAGR of +14.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

In 2022, non-cellular polyethylene films, sheets, foil and strip (6.4M tons), distantly followed by non-cellular polypropylene films, sheets, foil and strip (3.9M tons), polyethylene terephthalate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (3M tons) and polyvinyl chloride under 6% of plasticisers plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (1M tons) represented the major types of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, together comprising 77% of total imports. Polyvinyl chloride over 6% of plasticisers plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (818K tons), polymer other than polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, cellulose, polyvinyl butyral, polyamide, amino-, phenolic- plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (714K tons), non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil and strip (710K tons), polymethyl methacrylate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (591K tons) and polyester other than unsaturated plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (325K tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading imported products, was attained by cellulose derivatives other than acetate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (with a CAGR of +8.5%), while imports for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, non-cellular polyethylene films, sheets, foil and strip ($20.9B), non-cellular polypropylene films, sheets, foil and strip ($12.9B) and polyethylene terephthalate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials ($10.7B) appeared to be the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 61% share of global imports. Polymer other than polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, cellulose, polyvinyl butyral, polyamide, amino-, phenolic- plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polyvinyl chloride under 6% of plasticisers plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polyvinyl chloride over 6% of plasticisers plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil and strip, polymethyl methacrylate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polyvinyl butyral plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polycarbonate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polyester other than unsaturated plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, cellulose acetate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polyamide plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, non-polymethyl methacrylate acrylic polymer plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, cellulose derivatives other than acetate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, regenerated cellulose plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, phenolic resin plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, unsaturated polyesters plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials and amino-resin plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

Cellulose derivatives other than acetate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, with a CAGR of +8.0%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average import price for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip amounted to $3,942 per ton, surging by 4.6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $4,007 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was cellulose acetate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials ($22,093 per ton), while the price for unsaturated polyesters plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials ($2,868 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by phenolic resin plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (+5.7%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average import price for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip amounted to $3,942 per ton, picking up by 4.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $4,007 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($9,619 per ton), while Belgium ($2,984 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Plastic Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil And Strip

After ten years of growth, shipments abroad of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip decreased by -3.1% to 19M tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.8%. Over the period under review, the global exports of attained the peak figure at 19M tons in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In value terms, exports of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip totaled $73.7B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period 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 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports of attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (3.5M tons), distantly followed by Germany (1.7M tons) and the United States (1M tons) represented the main exporters of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, together generating 33% of total exports. Italy (836K tons), Turkey (698K tons), South Korea (626K tons), Poland (609K tons), Belgium (569K tons), India (507K tons), Malaysia (500K tons), Japan (469K tons), Canada (454K tons) and Thailand (442K tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +9.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Turkey (+11.5%), Poland (+10.8%), India (+5.5%), Thailand (+4.5%), Malaysia (+3.5%), Canada (+3.0%), South Korea (+2.4%) and the United States (+1.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +11.5% from 2012-2022. Germany, Belgium, Italy and Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China, Turkey and Poland increased by +8.2, +2 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest plastic plate, sheet, film, foil and strip supplying countries worldwide were China ($11.7B), Germany ($8.1B) and the United States ($6B), together comprising 35% of global exports.

China, with a CAGR of +11.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

In 2022, non-cellular polyethylene films, sheets, foil and strip (6.6M tons) was the main type of plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, making up 35% of total exports. Non-cellular polypropylene films, sheets, foil and strip (3.8M tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 20% share, followed by polyethylene terephthalate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (16%), polyvinyl chloride under 6% of plasticisers plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (5.9%) and polyvinyl chloride over 6% of plasticisers plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (4.9%). Non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil and strip (698K tons) and polymethyl methacrylate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (618K tons) took a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for cellulose derivatives other than acetate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (with a CAGR of +16.3%), while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, non-cellular polyethylene films, sheets, foil and strip ($21.9B), non-cellular polypropylene films, sheets, foil and strip ($13.2B) and polyethylene terephthalate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials ($10.2B) appeared to be the products with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 61% share of global exports. Polymer other than polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyester, cellulose, polyvinyl butyral, polyamide, amino-, phenolic- plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polyvinyl chloride under 6% of plasticisers plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polyvinyl chloride over 6% of plasticisers plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, non-cellular polystyrene films, sheets, foil and strip, polymethyl methacrylate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polycarbonate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polyester other than unsaturated plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polyvinyl butyral plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, polyamide plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, cellulose acetate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, non-polymethyl methacrylate acrylic polymer plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, cellulose derivatives other than acetate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, unsaturated polyesters plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, regenerated cellulose plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, phenolic resin plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials and amino-resin plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

Among the main exported products, cellulose derivatives other than acetate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, with a CAGR of +11.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average export price for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip amounted to $3,958 per ton, increasing by 4.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 14%. The global export price peaked at $4,081 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was cellulose acetate plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials ($20,672 per ton), while the average price for exports of phenolic resin plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials ($2,585 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by non-polymethyl methacrylate acrylic polymer plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, non-cellular and not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials (+4.2%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average export price for plastic plates, sheets, film, foil and strip amounted to $3,958 per ton, increasing by 4.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 14%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $4,081 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($11,821 per ton), while Malaysia ($2,227 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+1.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform