Supply-demand gap of ~580k tons, annual imports exceed €4.5 billion. China is the 3rd largest supplier. Packaging & automotive industries drive PP, PET demand growth, but EU carbon tariffs and logistics costs pose major risks.
Source: National Institute of Statistics (INS) Romania June 2026 Trade Flash; Argus Media July 2026 Polymer Weekly
Romania's annual consumption is ~1.62m tons, domestic output only 1.04m tons. Gap relies on imports. Packaging consumes 42% of plastic raw materials, auto manufacturing 18%.
| Indicator | 2025 | 2026 H1 |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Output (10k tons) | 101 | 52 (Est.) |
| Import Volume (10k tons) | 63 | 33 |
| Consumption Volume (10k tons) | 160 | 83 |
Source: Romanian Chemical Association APC June 2026 Industry Report; Eurostat May 2026 Trade Data
July 2026 China PP granule East China avg price 7,850 RMB/ton, operating rate 78%. Exports to Romania up 19% YoY, FOB quote $950-$1,020/ton.
Source: Longzhong Info July 2026 Plastics Market Weekly; General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) June 2026 Import/Export Statistics
Romania PP import avg price €1,365/ton. Germany, Italy & China are top 3 sources. Local consumption mainly packaging films & injection molded parts.
| Source Country | Share | Avg Price (€/t) |
|---|---|---|
| Germany | 21% | 1,390 |
| Italy | 16% | 1,340 |
| China | 12.8% | 1,365 (CIF) |
Source: INS Q1 2026 Import Statistics; Argus Media July 2026 Romania Polymer Price Index
PP imports have the highest share at 28%; PE follows at 24%. PET bottle flakes, driven by beverage packaging, grew significantly, imports +15% YoY.
Source: Eurostat April 2026 HS Code Imports; ASPAPLAST June 2026 Report
Packaging films & auto injection molded parts supply tight, local capacity insufficient. PP injection grade import dependency 65%, prices at 3-year high. ⚠ Supply Tight
Source: ASPAPLAST Q2 2026 Finished Product Report; ACAROM (Romanian Auto Manufacturers Association) June 2026 Data
China propylene monomer CFR China quote $980/ton, raw materials account for ~62% of Romania's PP import cost. Freight & tariffs add cost pressure.
| Type | China Production Base | Romania CIF Indicative Price |
|---|---|---|
| Propylene Monomer | CFR $980/t | — |
| PP Granules | FOB $950/t | €1,365/t |
| PE Film Grade | FOB $1,020/t | €1,420/t |
Source: 100ppi.com July 2026 Propylene Price; Longzhong Info July 2026 PP Export Quote; Argus July 2026 Europe Polymer CIF Price
Romania 2026 GDP growth est. 2.6%, Manufacturing PMI 51.3. Rubber & plastics exports account for 6.2% of industrial exports. Tariff preferences & port infrastructure are favorable factors.
Source: World Bank June 2026 Romania Economic Outlook; INS May 2026 Industrial Output Index; National Bank of Romania (BNR) July 2026 Exchange Rate
⚠ Carbon Tariff EU CBAM extended to plastics in 2026, China export costs may rise 6%-8%. However, Romania's localization substitution demand offers JV opportunities for Chinese firms.
Source: European Commission CBAM Implementation Progress Report June 2026; Drewry World Container Index July 2026; InvestRomania 2026 Policy