In 2020, the European plastics waste imports from countries outside the EU27 are led by the Netherlands with a 15.64% share, followed closely by Spain and Germany at 14.93% and 14.41%, respectively. France and Belgium complete the top five with shares of 11.58% and 9.53%. Smaller yet significant contributions come from Ireland, Poland, and Sweden. Over the past year, Spain and Slovakia showed notable growth in their import shares, while Cyprus experienced the largest year-on-year increase. Conversely, Italy and Denmark faced declines. Over a five-year period, significant growth is observed in markets like Spain, Poland, and Bulgaria.
Future trends to watch in European Plastics Waste Imports include increased initiatives towards sustainability and circularity, potentially impacting import volumes as EU countries emphasize recycling and reduced reliance on non-EU imports. Monitoring investment in recycling technology is crucial, as it may significantly alter trade dynamics.
Top countries in Plastics Waste Imports Extra-EU27 (2020) Share by Country (Thousand Euros)
| # | 10 Countries | Percent | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Netherlands | 15.64 | 2023 | +2.72% | +4.52% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Spain | 14.93 | 2023 | +25.17% | +18.82% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Germany | 14.41 | 2023 | +10.13% | +5.96% | View data |
| 4 | 4 France | 11.58 | 2023 | +12.93% | +4.29% | View data |
| 5 | 5 Belgium | 9.53 | 2023 | +8.19% | +3.99% | View data |
| 6 | 6 Ireland | 6.17 | 2023 | +13.05% | +4.62% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Poland | 4.82 | 2023 | +14.04% | +12.97% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Sweden | 4.18 | 2023 | +6.63% | +13.5% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Italy | 4.14 | 2023 | +4.55% | -5.34% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Latvia | 2.32 | 2023 | +4.54% | +1.29% | View data |
