Global Isocyanates Market Anticipated to See Slight Growth with a CAGR of +0.5% by 2030

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The article discusses the projected growth of the isocyanates market from 2023 to 2030, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.5% in volume and +2.6% in value. By the end of 2030, the market volume is expected to reach 13M tons, with a market value of $45.1B in nominal prices.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for isocyanates worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next seven-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.5% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 13M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $45.1B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Isocyanates

In 2023, approx. 12M tons of isocyanates were consumed worldwide; surging by 2% against the year before. Overall, consumption, however, showed a mild descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the consumption volume increased by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 14M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global isocyanates market size reduced modestly to $37.6B in 2023, which is down by -4.1% 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). Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild setback. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $43.5B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of isocyanates consumption was China (2.5M tons), accounting for 20% of total volume. Moreover, isocyanates consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (1.2M tons), twofold. India (952K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 7.8% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at -1.3%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+0.4% per year) and India (+0.6% per year).

In value terms, the largest isocyanates markets worldwide were China ($6.3B), the United States ($3.5B) and India ($3.2B), together comprising 34% of the global market. Indonesia, Brazil, Germany, Pakistan, Japan, Mexico, Bangladesh, Spain, Nigeria and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

Germany, with a CAGR of +4.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of isocyanates per capita consumption in 2023 were Germany (4.5 kg per person), Spain (4.2 kg per person) and the United States (3.5 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +2.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Isocyanates

Global isocyanates production stood at 12M tons in 2023, stabilizing at the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, production, however, showed a mild curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 7.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 14M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, isocyanates production contracted to $37.1B in 2023 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 35%. Global production peaked at $43.8B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of isocyanates production was China (2.9M tons), accounting for 23% of total volume. Moreover, isocyanates production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (1.3M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (844K tons), with a 6.9% share.

In China, isocyanates production remained relatively stable over the period from 2013-2023. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+0.1% per year) and India (+1.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Isocyanates

In 2023, the amount of isocyanates imported worldwide rose to 2.1M tons, picking up by 1.6% compared with the year before. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 7.5%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 2.3M tons. From 2019 to 2023, the growth of global imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, isocyanates imports reduced to $6B in 2023. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a mild expansion from 2013 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 50% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at $7.6B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of isocyanates, namely Belgium, Turkey, India, Italy, China, Brazil, Vietnam, Indonesia, Poland, Germany, Taiwan (Chinese) and Russia, represented more than half of total import. Spain (47K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Vietnam (with a CAGR of +10.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest isocyanates importing markets worldwide were Belgium ($494M), Turkey ($353M) and China ($348M), together accounting for 20% of global imports. Italy, India, Germany, Brazil, Vietnam, Poland, Taiwan (Chinese), Indonesia, Spain and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +11.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2023, the average isocyanates import price amounted to $2,879 per ton, declining by -10.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when the average import price increased by 45% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $3,337 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($3,977 per ton), while Indonesia ($2,381 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+4.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Isocyanates

In 2023, shipments abroad of isocyanates decreased by -1.5% to 2M tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 5.8% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 2.2M tons. From 2022 to 2023, the growth of the global exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, isocyanates exports declined to $5.6B in 2023. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 43%. The global exports peaked at $6.7B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

The shipments of the eight major exporters of isocyanates, namely China, South Korea, Hungary, Belgium, the United States, Japan, Germany and Saudi Arabia, represented more than two-thirds of total export.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +13.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($1.2B), South Korea ($836M) and Hungary ($656M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2023, together accounting for 47% of global exports.

China, with a CAGR of +11.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2023, the average isocyanates export price amounted to $2,772 per ton, waning by -9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 39%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure at $3,177 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2023, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($4,190 per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($2,324 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+2.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform