May 31, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Expansible Polystyrene In Primary Forms – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The expansible polystyrene market in the UK is on an upward consumption trend, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.6% in volume and +4.1% in value from 2024 to 2035. By the end of 2035, the market volume is expected to reach 116K tons, with a market value of $275M in nominal prices.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for expansible polystyrene in primary forms in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 116K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $275M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Expansible Polystyrene In Primary Forms
In 2024, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in consumption of expansible polystyrene in primary forms, when its volume increased by 6.9% to 88K tons. In general, the total consumption indicated a perceptible increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -17.7% against 2021 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 107K tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of the consumption remained at a somewhat lower figure.
The value of the expansible polystyrene market in the UK expanded rapidly to $177M in 2024, with an increase of 7.7% 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). Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate moderate growth. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $230M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Expansible Polystyrene In Primary Forms
In 2024, production of expansible polystyrene in primary forms in the UK expanded modestly to 28K tons, growing by 4.4% against 2023. In general, production saw prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 68% against the previous year. Expansible polystyrene production peaked at 29K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, expansible polystyrene production rose remarkably to $72M in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the production volume increased by 59%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $79M. From 2023 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Expansible Polystyrene In Primary Forms
In 2024, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of expansible polystyrene in primary forms, when their volume increased by 8.9% to 62K tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of 87K tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, expansible polystyrene imports rose sharply to $127M in 2024. In general, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 113% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $185M. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Germany (22K tons) constituted the largest supplier of expansible polystyrene to the UK, with a 35% share of total imports. Moreover, expansible polystyrene imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, the Netherlands (11K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Belgium (6.5K tons), with a 10% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from Germany amounted to +3.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (-4.3% per year) and Belgium (+103.4% per year).
In value terms, Germany ($45M) constituted the largest supplier of expansible polystyrene in primary forms to the UK, comprising 36% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($20M), with a 16% share of total imports. It was followed by Belgium, with an 11% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from Germany amounted to +1.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the Netherlands (-5.2% per year) and Belgium (+93.3% per year).
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the average expansible polystyrene import price amounted to $2,039 per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a slight setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 50%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $2,713 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the highest price was recorded for prices from Italy ($2,345 per ton) and Belgium ($2,215 per ton), while the price for France ($1,845 per ton) and the Netherlands ($1,921 per ton) were amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahamas (+1.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Expansible Polystyrene In Primary Forms
In 2024, the amount of expansible polystyrene in primary forms exported from the UK surged to 2K tons, increasing by 45% against the year before. Overall, exports, however, recorded a pronounced shrinkage. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at 4.6K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, expansible polystyrene exports skyrocketed to $3.6M in 2024. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a deep reduction. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at $11M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
Malaysia (1.1K tons) was the main destination for expansible polystyrene exports from the UK, with a 55% share of total exports. Moreover, expansible polystyrene exports to Malaysia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Spain (315 tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Japan (168 tons), with an 8.5% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume to Malaysia stood at +93.9%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+20.0% per year) and Japan (+85.5% per year).
In value terms, Malaysia ($679K), Ireland ($561K) and the Netherlands ($480K) appeared to be the largest markets for expansible polystyrene exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 48% share of total exports.
In terms of the main countries of destination, Malaysia, with a CAGR of +62.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
The average expansible polystyrene export price stood at $1,810 per ton in 2024, with a decrease of -9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average export price increased by 78% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $3,355 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($13,931 per ton), while the average price for exports to Malaysia ($629 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands (+11.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.