Industry Statistics and Trends
Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe key trends
A shift toward eco-friendly materials has curbed primary plastics sales.
This squeeze on traditional plastics is ramping up demand for innovative materials, raising costs for plastic manufacturers that are investing in innovation.
Europe is cracking down on single-use plastics with new taxes.
New taxes in the EU and the UK hinder polyethene sales and drive producers to innovate with biodegradable and recycled plastics.
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Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2012-2030. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe market size (2020-2025)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €158.5bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Rising eco-awareness hits Ethylene sales to packaging manufacturers
- Polyethylene (PE) is the world’s most widely used plastic, as this is the material used to make most plastic bags, plastic films and plastic containers. A reduction in plastics demand is resulting in weaker demand for PE. According to Plastics Europe, EU plastics production tumbled by 8.3% in 2023 as a result of falling downstream demand and growing import competition. This has dampened revenue for primary form plastic manufacturers.
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Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
A crackdown on plastic packaging threatens future revenue
- The growing push for industry circularity from the EU and the UK is expanding recycling rates among downstream primary form plastic buyers. According to the European Parliament, plastic recycling has almost doubled in the last two decades, reaching a recycling rate of 40.7% in 2022. Germany is far the leader of this trend, with a 51.1% recycling rate, followed closely by the Czech Republic (47.2%), Italy (46.6%), and Poland (46.3%). Greater recycling is reducing reliance on virgin polymers, denting demand for primary form plastics made from petrochemicals, which account for most of the EU’s plastic production.
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Revenue
€158.5bn
Employees
227k
Wages
€XX.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
* CAGR values are for the years 2020-2025.
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Biggest companies in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (€m)
2025 | Profit (€m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BASF SE | 67,880.0 | 2,973.2 | 4.4 | |
Covestro AG | 14,157.0 | 116.0 | 0.8 | |
Borealis AG | 8,324.6 | 305.5 | 3.7 |
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Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe in 2025?
The market size of the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe is €158.5bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe in 2025?
There are 4,863 businesses in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.2 % between 2020 and 2025.
Has the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe has been growing at a CAGR of 4.3 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe include?
Polypropylene and Polyethylene are part of the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry is Turkey.
How competitive is the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Austria
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in France
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Lithuania
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in the Netherlands
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Belgium
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Italy
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Sweden
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Latvia
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Primary Form Plastics Manufacturing in the UK
- Primary Form Plastics Manufacturing in Germany
- Primary Form Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Germany
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Greece
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Romania
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Norway
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Hungary
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in the UK
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Denmark
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Germany
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Malta
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Croatia
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Luxembourg
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Russia
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Slovakia
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Poland
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Finland
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Slovenia
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Bulgaria
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Spain
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Portugal
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Serbia
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Czechia
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Turkey
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Ireland
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Estonia
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Iceland
- Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry includes the manufacture of resins, plastics materials and non-vulcanisable thermoplastic elastomers and the mixing and blending of resins on a custom basis. It also includes the manufacture of non-customised synthetic resins.
Related Terms
ThermoplasticElastomerBioplasticWhat's included in this industry?
PolypropylenePolyethylenePolyvinyl chloridePolyurethanesSynthetic rubberPolyesterCompanies
BASF SECovestro AGBorealis AGIndustry Code
2013 - Manufacture of plastics and synthetic rubber in primary forms in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Rising eco-awareness hits Ethylene sales to packaging manufacturers
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2025 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Employees in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Business in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
- Profit in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry (2012 -2030)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Polyethylene's versatility and cost-effectiveness make it a hit in the packaging industry. Its high recyclability makes it the go-to for manufacturers, especially amid swelling environmental concerns.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2025)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2025)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2025)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2025)
- IVA (2025)
- Enterprises (2025)
- Employment (2025)
- Exports (2025)
- Imports (2025)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
A few large companies dominate the industry. While some large companies dominate, there's still room for smaller manufacturers to compete effectively in niche segments.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2020-2025)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2025)
- Revenue (2025)
- Profit (2025)
- Profit Margin (2025)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for BASF SE
- Countries of operation for Covestro AG
- Countries of operation for Borealis AG
- Countries of operation for LyondellBasell Industries Holdings NV
- Countries of operation for Arkema SA
- Countries of operation for Eni SpA
- Countries of operation for Repsol SA
- Countries of operation for Synthomer plc
- Countries of operation for Lanxess AG
- Countries of operation for Maire Tecnimont SpA
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Plastic and synthetic rubber producers face a stringent regulatory environment. Key regulations focus on environmental impact, including the EU's waste management directives and specific hazardous substances restrictions.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Recycling has boosted profit for plastic and rubber producers. Using recycled materials lowers raw material costs and helps producers meet consumer demand for eco-friendly products.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Primary Form Plastic & Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and bottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2025)
- Business Growth (2025)
- Job Growth (2025)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2025)
- Imports/Demand (2025)
- Exports/Revenue (2025)
- Revenue per Employee (2025)
- Wages/Revenue (2025)
- Employees per Establishment (2025)
- Average Wage (2025)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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