EU's ceramic electrical insulator market to grow at a modest 1.1% CAGR, reaching 126M units by 2035.

IndexBox has just published a new report: EU - Electrical Insulators Of Ceramics - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

The European Union's ceramic electrical insulator market is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.1% in volume (reaching 126M units by 2035) and +1.8% in value (reaching $537M by 2035). In 2024, consumption rose to 112M units (+6.6%) valued at $441M (+11%), with Germany (23M units), Italy (13M units), and Spain (12M units) as the largest consumers. Slovenia showed the most remarkable growth in both consumption volume (CAGR +22.5%) and market value (CAGR +23.6%). Production reached 106M units in 2024, led by Germany, Portugal, and Slovakia. The EU imported 78M units (valued at $191M) and exported 72M units (valued at $343M), with Italy being the largest exporter by value ($137M, 40% share). Import prices averaged $2.4/unit while export prices averaged $4.8/unit, reflecting significant value-added in manufacturing within the union.

Key Findings

• European demand for ceramic electrical insulators is rising, driving sustained market growth
• Market volume growth is forecast to decelerate over the next decade
• The volume CAGR is anticipated to be a modest +1.1% from 2024 to 2035
• Market value is projected to grow at a faster pace than volume, with a +1.8% CAGR
• The market is expected to reach 126M units valued at $537M by the end of 2035

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for electrical insulators of ceramics in the European Union, 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 +1.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 126M units by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $537M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

European Union's Consumption of Electrical Insulators Of Ceramics

In 2024, the amount of electrical insulators of ceramics consumed in the European Union rose markedly to 112M units, surging by 6.6% on the previous year. The total consumption indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -2.1% against 2022 indices. The volume of consumption peaked at 115M units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The value of the ceramic electrical insulator market in the European Union rose notably to $441M in 2024, increasing by 11% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% from 2012 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The level of consumption peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2024 were Germany (23M units), Italy (13M units) and Spain (12M units), with a combined 43% share of total consumption. The Czech Republic, Poland, France, Romania, Sweden, the Netherlands and Slovenia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Slovenia (with a CAGR of +22.5%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($79M), Spain ($54M) and Slovenia ($36M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2024, together comprising 39% of the total market.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Slovenia, with a CAGR of +23.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of ceramic electrical insulator per capita consumption in 2024 were Slovenia (1,475 units per 1000 persons), the Czech Republic (1,133 units per 1000 persons) and Sweden (355 units per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovenia (with a CAGR of +22.3%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

European Union's Production of Electrical Insulators Of Ceramics

In 2024, production of electrical insulators of ceramics in the European Union expanded remarkably to 106M units, with an increase of 9.1% compared with the previous year. The total production indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last twelve years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -2.1% against 2022 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 40%. The volume of production peaked at 108M units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, ceramic electrical insulator production expanded rapidly to $447M in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2024; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 17%. The level of production peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2024 were Germany (23M units), Portugal (21M units) and Slovakia (14M units), with a combined 55% share of total production.

From 2012 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of +11.9%), while production for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

European Union's Imports of Electrical Insulators Of Ceramics

Ceramic electrical insulator imports reached 78M units in 2024, rising by 2.4% on 2023 figures. Over the period under review, imports recorded pronounced growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when imports increased by 132% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 81M units in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, ceramic electrical insulator imports reduced to $191M in 2024. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 13%. The level of import peaked at $197M in 2023, and then declined in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2024, Italy (21M units), distantly followed by Germany (12M units), France (5.7M units), Spain (5.3M units), the Czech Republic (4.6M units), Sweden (4.5M units), the Netherlands (3.9M units) and Poland (3.5M units) represented the major importers of electrical insulators of ceramics, together creating 77% of total imports. Austria (2.8M units) and Hungary (2.4M units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Austria (with a CAGR of +12.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($52M), Germany ($29M) and Austria ($12M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, together accounting for 49% of total imports.

Among the main importing countries, Austria, with a CAGR of +4.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $2.4 per unit in 2024, falling by -5.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, import prices attained the maximum at $4.3 per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($4.3 per unit), while Spain ($1.2 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (-1.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Exports

European Union's Exports of Electrical Insulators Of Ceramics

In 2024, approx. 72M units of electrical insulators of ceramics were exported in the European Union; rising by 5.4% against 2023. Over the period under review, exports saw pronounced growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when exports increased by 139%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 77M units. From 2021 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, ceramic electrical insulator exports rose significantly to $343M in 2024. Total exports indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last twelve-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, exports increased by +101.0% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 when exports increased by 37%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from Portugal (19M units), Slovakia (14M units), Germany (12M units), Italy (9.2M units) and Romania (7.3M units), together finishing at 86% of total export. The following exporters - Poland (2.5M units) and Spain (1.7M units) - together made up 5.7% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Portugal (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($137M) remains the largest ceramic electrical insulator supplier in the European Union, comprising 40% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($62M), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by Portugal, with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of value in Italy totaled +15.1%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-2.8% per year) and Portugal (+11.0% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2024, the export price in the European Union amounted to $4.8 per unit, rising by 3.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 an increase of 50% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $6 per unit in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($15 per unit), while Portugal ($1.6 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+6.4%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform