Cellular Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil and Strip of Plastics Market

The global market for cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics is set to grow in volume and value terms over the next eight years. Market performance is projected to expand at a CAGR of +2.2% in volume and +1.9% in value from 2022 to 2030. China leads as the largest consuming and producing country, with notable growth rates observed in other key countries such as the United States and Russia. Key products dominating the market include cellular plates, sheets, and films of polyurethanes, styrene, and vinyl chloride. Production trends show a decline in 2022, while import and export volumes are fluctuating. Pricing trends indicate a steady increase in average prices for both imports and exports. Overall, the global market for cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics is expected to see continued growth in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics 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 +2.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 21M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $192B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Cellular Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil and Strip of Plastics

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was decline in consumption of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics, when its volume decreased by -4.6% to 18M tons. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 19M tons, and then reduced in the following year.

The revenue of the market for cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics worldwide dropped to $165.2B in 2022, which is down 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 +2.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 7.2% against the previous year. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $169B, and then reduced in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (4.4M tons) remains the largest cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 25% of total volume. Moreover, consumption of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (1.9M tons), twofold. Russia (892K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China totaled +2.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+2.8% per year) and Russia (+6.0% per year).

In value terms, the largest cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics markets worldwide were the United States ($24.4B), China ($23.2B) and Japan ($9.1B), with a combined 34% share of the global market. Germany, India, Mexico, South Korea, Russia, Poland, Canada, Vietnam, Indonesia and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 12%.

Indonesia, with a CAGR of +7.9%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while plastics for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics per capita consumption in 2022 were Poland (12 kg per person), South Korea (8.3 kg per person) and Canada (8.2 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of plastics, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +5.9%), while plastics for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Consumption By Type

The products with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of polyurethanes (8.6M tons), cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene (7.9M tons) and cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of vinyl chloride (1.1M tons), with a combined 100% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene (with a CAGR of +4.8%), while plastics for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics in terms of market size were cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene ($70B), cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of polyurethanes ($67.3B) and cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of vinyl chloride ($4B), with a combined 100% share of the global market.

Cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene, with a CAGR of +4.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consumed products over the period under review, while plastics for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Cellular Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil and Strip of Plastics

In 2022, production of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics decreased by -4.4% to 17M tons for the first time since 2016, thus ending a five-year rising trend. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the production volume increased by 12%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 18M tons, and then declined modestly in the following year.

In value terms, production of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics fell modestly to $142B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 8.8%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $145.9B, and then fell in the following year.

Production By Country

China (5M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of production of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics, comprising approx. 28% of total volume. Moreover, production of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (1.8M tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Russia (909K tons), with a 5.2% share.

In China, production of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics expanded at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (+1.7% per year) and Russia (+6.4% per year).

Production By Type

The products with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of polyurethanes (8.4M tons), cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene (7.9M tons) and cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of vinyl chloride (1.1M tons), with a combined 100% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of plastics, amongst the main produced products, was attained by cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene (with a CAGR of +4.8%), while plastics for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene ($69.6B), cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of polyurethanes ($67.1B) and cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of vinyl chloride ($5B) appeared to be the products with the highest levels of production in 2022, together accounting for 100% of global production.

Cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene, with a CAGR of +4.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size among the main produced products over the period under review, while plastics for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Cellular Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil and Strip of Plastics

Global imports of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics shrank to 3M tons in 2022, with a decrease of -3.6% on 2021 figures. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 17%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 3.1M tons, and then contracted slightly in the following year.

In value terms, imports of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics rose to $15.3B in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% 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 +30.5% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports of attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of imports of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics in 2022 were Mexico (248K tons), the United States (225K tons), Germany (173K tons), South Korea (148K tons), France (131K tons), the UK (101K tons), Italy (97K tons), the Netherlands (96K tons), Vietnam (95K tons), Poland (91K tons), Belgium (88K tons) and Canada (79K tons), together accounting for 52% of total import. Spain (70K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +17.2%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($1.8B), Mexico ($1.3B) and Germany ($956M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 26% share of global imports. South Korea, France, Italy, Poland, the UK, the Netherlands, Vietnam, Canada, Belgium and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.

Among the main importing countries, Vietnam, with a CAGR of +16.3%, saw 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.

Imports By Type

Cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of polyurethanes (1,004K tons), plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.s. in heading no. 3921, cellular (796K tons), cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of vinyl chloride (667K tons) and cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene (515K tons) represented roughly 99% of total imports in 2022.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of polyurethanes (with a CAGR of +5.0%), while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.s. in heading no. 3921, cellular ($5.7B), cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of polyurethanes ($5.3B) and cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of vinyl chloride ($2.4B) constituted the products with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 87% of global imports.

Among the main imported products, plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.s. in heading no. 3921, cellular, with a CAGR of +7.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

The average import price for cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics stood at $5,084 per ton in 2022, growing by 7.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 7.8% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.s. in heading no. 3921, cellular ($7,108 per ton), while the price for cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene ($3,502 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.s. in heading no. 3921, cellular (+2.2%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Import Prices By Country

The average import price for cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics stood at $5,084 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 7.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 7.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($7,789 per ton), while South Korea ($4,302 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Exports

World Exports of Cellular Plates, Sheets, Film, Foil and Strip of Plastics

Global exports of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics shrank to 2.8M tons in 2022, dropping by -2% on the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 2.8M tons, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In value terms, exports of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics expanded to $15.9B in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% 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 +56.4% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 28%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (643K tons), distantly followed by Germany (301K tons), Belgium (149K tons), Poland (129K tons) and Italy (128K tons) were the largest exporters of cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics, together creating 49% of total exports. The following exporters - the United States (102K tons), France (100K tons), Spain (95K tons), the Netherlands (84K tons), Austria (75K tons), Turkey (71K tons), Canada (59K tons) and Ireland (53K tons) - together made up 23% of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +11.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Ireland (+14.0%), Turkey (+12.0%), Canada (+9.9%), France (+8.1%), Italy (+6.6%), Poland (+6.1%), Spain (+5.2%), Austria (+3.7%), Belgium (+2.1%), Germany (+2.0%) and the Netherlands (+1.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Ireland emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +14.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, the United States (-5.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China increased by +11 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($2.4B), the United States ($1.9B) and Germany ($1.8B) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 39% share of global exports. Belgium, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, France, Austria, Spain, Canada and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Ireland, with a CAGR of +12.4%, recorded 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

Cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of polyurethanes (869K tons), plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.s. in heading no. 3921, cellular (730K tons), cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of vinyl chloride (657K tons) and cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of styrene (515K tons) represented roughly 99% of total exports in 2022.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of vinyl chloride (with a CAGR of +5.6%), while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest types of exported cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics were plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.s. in heading no. 3921, cellular ($6B), cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of polyurethanes ($5.4B) and cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of vinyl chloride ($2.4B), with a combined 87% share of global exports.

In terms of the main exported products, plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.s. in heading no. 3921, cellular, with a CAGR of +6.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The average export price for cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics stood at $5,712 per ton in 2022, picking up by 3.8% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.s. in heading no. 3921, cellular ($8,277 per ton), while the average price for exports of cellular plates, sheets and films of polyymers of vinyl chloride ($3,633 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of plastics n.e.s. in heading no. 3921, cellular (+1.4%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average export price for cellular plates, sheets, film, foil and strip of plastics stood at $5,712 per ton in 2022, surging by 3.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 10%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

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 ($19,071 per ton), while Turkey ($2,699 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+9.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform