Ethiopia is East & Central Africa’s 2nd largest importer of plastics in primary forms
As Ethiopia does not manufacture any plastics raw materials at all, 100% of raw materials are imported (mainly from the Middle East, Europe and Asia). Thus, the Ethiopian market has great potential for exporters of plastics in primary forms. Imports of plastics raw materials, for instance, grew by 12% annually between 2007 and 2024, from 43 kt to 294 kt.
Source: EUROMAP 2025 / Graph: fairtrade
Ethiopia’s per capita plastics consumption on the up
The per capita consumption of plastics in Ethiopia has grown by 9% annually over the past years, from 0.6 kg in 2007 to 2.6 kg in 2024.
EUROMAP expects an increase to 3.2 kg by 2029.
Source: EUROMAP 2025 / Graph: fairtrade
Ethiopia’s plastics consumption by application 2024
54% of consumption is accounted for by packaging, 16% by construction, 6% by automotive, 3% by electrical, electronics & telecom, the remainder by various industries.
Source: EUROMAP 2025 / Graph: fairtrade
Ethiopia’s plastics consumption by processing method 2024
In plastics processing, extrusion is in the lead with 49%, followed by injection molding with 24%, PET preform & stretch blow molding with 13% and blow molding with 7%.
Source: EUROMAP 2025 / Graph: fairtrade
Ethiopia’s plastics consumption – Strong and steady increase
The country‘s plastics consumption has grown by 11.5% annually over the past years, from 44 kt in 2007 to 281 kt in 2024.
EUROMAP expects an increase to 370 kg by 2029.
Source: EUROMAP 2025 / Graph: fairtrade
Ethiopia is one of East & Central Africa’s largest investors in plastics technology
- With plastics technology imports of 31 million euros in 2024, Ethiopia is one of the two largest importers of plastics technology in East & Central Africa.
- The immense population growth from 135 million at present to 200 million by 2050 (United Nations) will also require strong sustainable double-digit growth in the future.
Source: VDMA 2025 / Graph: fairtrade
Ethiopia is one of the largest importing countries of printing & paper converting technology in East Africa
- From 2023 to 2024, Ethiopia’s printing & paper technology imports increased from €5 to €8m.
- This amount makes Ethiopia one of the largest importers of printing and paper technology in East Africa.
- Continuous growth is expected in the coming years.
Source: VDMA 2025 / Graph: fairtrade
Ethiopia is one of East & Central Africa’s most important investors in packaging technology
- With packaging technology imports between 16 and 34 million euros, Ethiopia is one of East and Central Africa’s largest investors in packaging technology.
- The immense population growth from 135 million at present to 200 million by 2050 (United Nations) will require strong sustainable growth in the future.
Source: VDMA 2025 / Graph: fairtrade
Range of exhibits
Plastics and composites
Raw materials and auxiliaries
- Thermoplastics
- Thermoplastic elastomers
- Coating compounds
- Foams and intermediates
- Rubbers
- Synthetic fibres, bristels, tapes
- Adhesives and glues
- Paint resins
- Additives
- Fillers
- Reinforcing fibres, -materials
- Starting materials, intermediate, polymerisation, auxiliaries
Semi-finished products, technical parts and reinforced plastics
- Processing technologies
- Follow on treatment of plastics products
- Supplying
- Product groups
- Products
Machinery and equipment for the plastics and rubber industries
- Machines and equipment for preprocessing and recycling
- Machinery and plant for processing
- Post processing machines
- Extruders and extrusion lines
- Injection molding machines
- Blow molding machines
- Machinery and plant for finishing, decorating, printing and marking
- Welding machines
- Molds and dies
- Integrated automation
- Ancillary equipment
- Measuring and test equipment
- Parts and components
- Pre-press and pre-media
- Printing machinery, appliances and accessories
- Book binding and print finishing
- Paper converting and packaging production
- Materials and consumables
- Services
Packaging and Conditioning
- Packaging machines and equipment
- Machines and equipment for beverage and liquid bottling and packaging
- Machines and equipment for imprinting of packaging material
- Packaging devices
- Packaging appliances
- Packaging materials
- Packaging means and aids
- Services
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