POLYCARBONATE
IN THE NETHERLANDS

What is a polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a lightweight,
highly versatile, durable, heatand shatter-resistant, formableand transparent thermoplastic.
It is the material of choice for awide range of end-user
applications.

The Netherlands are a large EU producer
The Netherlands host one of the five PC production facilities
located in the EU, producing 260,000 t per year. This
represents 21% of the total EU capacity and 5% of the global
capacity for the production of polycarbonate.

21%Netherlands
260 ktBelgium, Germany & Spain980 kt

79%Socioeconomic
benefits€ 492-1,047
milliondirect, indirect and induced
added value

291,000

estimated direct & indirect
jobs served by thePolycarbonate industry

The Netherlands area net exporter of polycarbonate
In 2019, demand for polycarbonates in the European
Economic Area (EEA) amounted to around 730,000 t,
corresponding to a value of some € 2.1 billion in terms ofturnover.
With a national demand of 33,000 t and a production
capacity of 260,000t/year, the Netherlands are a net exporterof polycarbonate.
This demand is driven by six important sectors: electrical andelectronics, building & construction, automotive, consumer,packaging, medical devices.

Note
Polycarbonate production capacity is not equivalent
to consumption or export.
Sources
Data basis for the information presented in this fact
sheet are two independent reports commissioned by thePC/BPA group of Plastics Europe to external analytics
companies: “Socio-economic value of polycarbonates inEurope”, Wood Group UK Ltd, Feb 2021; “Assessment ofSocioeconomic Value of Polycarbonate in Europe”, IHS
Markit, 2022; WSP UK Ltd “Socio-economic analysis ofpolycarbonates in Europe”, Dec 2023. Figures relate to2018-2019 and are rounded.

consumerelectrical & electronics

3%

58%

building & construction

packaging
2%

28%

automotive

medical
6%

1,5%

other
1,5%

© Polycarbonate/Bisphenol A group of Plastics Europe, January 2024
Disclaimer: This information is supplied in good faith by the PC/BPA industry group of Plastics Europe and is based on the best
information currently available. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, the PC/BPA group does not accept
liability for loss or damage, howsoever caused, arising from the use of the information.

Polycarbonate / Bisphenol A GroupKey industry sectors using polycarbonate in the Netherlands
Electrical & electronics*
47,000 jobs & € 48,3 billion turnoverApplications using polycarbonate include mobile phones,
computers, electronics, sockets, switches, fuses& electricity meters
Building & construction, architectural engineering*
200,000 jobs & € 64,4 billion turnoverr
Applications using polycarbonate include roofs of stadiums,
railway stations, large halls, greenhouses
Automotive*
24,800 jobs & 18,7 billion turnoverApplications using polycarbonate include exterior (headlamps,grills, spoiler), interior (displays, dashboard-components, seats,center-consoles), and electric power-trains & batteries
components
Sport goods manufacturing*
1,900 jobs & € 230 million turnoverApplications using polycarbonate include ski and swim goggles,helmets, rackets, skis, bicycles and golf clubs
Packag﻿ing*
5,900 jobs & €﻿1,3-2,2 billion turnoverApplications using polycarbonate include food storageboxes & large water containers
Medical & dental instruments*
12,000 jobs & € 1,7 billion turnoverApplications using polycarbonate include components fordialyzers, auto-injectors, respirators & Personal Protective
Equipment*figures relate to total sector

Contributing to the Netherland´ssustainability objectives
The polycarbonate industry is investing substantially in thetransition to a more sustainable economy: major
agreements and acquisitions as well as pilot projects
demonstrate the feasibility of innovative ideas. The
dynamics of the approach allows for a healthy competition
within the sector. Sustainability advantages becomecompetitive advantages and, in this way, sustainability iscompletely integrated into business plans.

Contactjasmin.bird.consultant@plasticseurope.org
Polycarbonate/Bisphenol A group Plastics Europe

Polycarbonate / Bisphenol A Group