Global Reclaimed Rubber Market to Witness Steady Growth with 3.5M Tons in Volume and $4.8B in Value by 2030

IndexBox has just published a new report: World - Reclaimed Rubber - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

Driven by increasing demand, the reclaimed rubber market is set to experience a positive trend over the next seven years. With a forecasted CAGR of +3.2% in volume and +5.6% in value, the market is expected to reach 3.5M tons and $4.8B by the end of 2030, respectively.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for reclaimed rubber 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 +3.2% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.5M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.6% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $4.8B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Reclaimed Rubber

In 2023, the amount of reclaimed rubber consumed worldwide expanded sharply to 2.8M tons, growing by 8.3% compared with the year before. Overall, consumption, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 9.5% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at 3M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global reclaimed rubber market value surged to $3.3B in 2023, growing by 17% 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). In general, consumption, however, recorded a mild downturn. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $3.7B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of reclaimed rubber consumption was China (763K tons), comprising approx. 27% of total volume. Moreover, reclaimed rubber consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (348K tons), twofold. India (198K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 7.1% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to +1.7%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+2.6% per year) and India (-2.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($696M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($264M). It was followed by India.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of value in China was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (-0.5% per year) and India (-4.9% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of reclaimed rubber per capita consumption in 2023 were the UK (1,212 kg per 1000 persons), the United States (1,032 kg per 1000 persons) and France (917 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +5.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Reclaimed Rubber

In 2023, approx. 2.9M tons of reclaimed rubber were produced worldwide; with an increase of 5.8% against the previous year. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 9.7%. Global production peaked at 3.1M tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, reclaimed rubber production amounted to $2.9B in 2023 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a slight shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $4.3B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2023, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of reclaimed rubber production was China (671K tons), comprising approx. 23% of total volume. Moreover, reclaimed rubber production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (333K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (301K tons), with a 10% share.

From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (-0.1% per year) and the United States (+3.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Reclaimed Rubber

In 2023, global reclaimed rubber imports rose significantly to 537K tons, growing by 7% on the year before. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a measured increase from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports increased by +32.0% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when imports increased by 28% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, reclaimed rubber imports rose slightly to $424M in 2023. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2013 to 2023; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 29%. Global imports peaked in 2023 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2023, China (173K tons), distantly followed by the United States (99K tons) represented the major importers of reclaimed rubber, together mixing up 50% of total imports. Canada (20K tons), South Korea (18K tons), Sri Lanka (16K tons), Thailand (16K tons), Indonesia (15K tons), Vietnam (11K tons), the United Arab Emirates (11K tons), the UK (10K tons), the Netherlands (10K tons), the Czech Republic (10K tons) and El Salvador (9.2K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for El Salvador (with a CAGR of +137.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($108M), the United States ($92M) and South Korea ($17M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, with a combined 51% share of global imports. Canada, the Netherlands, Thailand, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, the Czech Republic, the UK, the United Arab Emirates and El Salvador lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

El Salvador, with a CAGR of +110.7%, 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 reclaimed rubber import price amounted to $788 per ton, dropping by -3.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a slight contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 5.5%. Global import price peaked at $940 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2023, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($1,266 per ton), while El Salvador ($120 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+10.8%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Reclaimed Rubber

In 2023, after two years of growth, there was decline in shipments abroad of reclaimed rubber, when their volume decreased by -2.6% to 661K tons. Overall, total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2013 to 2023: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, exports increased by +29.1% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at 679K tons in 2022, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, reclaimed rubber exports dropped to $419M in 2023. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 25% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at $468M in 2022, and then shrank in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2023, India (136K tons), distantly followed by Thailand (89K tons), Canada (88K tons), China (80K tons), the United States (52K tons) and Malaysia (37K tons) were the largest exporters of reclaimed rubber, together making up 73% of total exports. The Netherlands (26K tons), Portugal (20K tons), Croatia (14K tons), Denmark (13K tons), Poland (10K tons) and Indonesia (9.9K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +40.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest reclaimed rubber supplying countries worldwide were Canada ($78M), China ($76M) and India ($70M), with a combined 53% share of global exports. The Netherlands, the United States, Malaysia, Thailand, Denmark, Indonesia, Portugal, Poland and Croatia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +23.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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

The average reclaimed rubber export price stood at $634 per ton in 2023, dropping by -8.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a pronounced descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $1,006 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2023, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($991 per ton), while Croatia ($225 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform