Belgium: Silicates Market 2024

Silicates Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian silicates market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Silicates consumption peaked at $X in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silicates Production in Belgium

In value terms, silicates production expanded slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production enjoyed a remarkable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 98% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Silicates Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates, when their volume increased by 19% to X tons. Overall, exports posted buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 903%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

In value terms, silicates exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports recorded resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 308% against the previous year. The exports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the main destinations of silicates exports from Belgium, together comprising 59% of total exports. These countries were followed by the United States, Turkey, Italy, the UK, Austria, Mexico and Ecuador, which together accounted for a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Mexico (with a CAGR of +124.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), France ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) constituted the largest markets for silicates exported from Belgium worldwide, with a combined 46% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the United States, Italy, Turkey, the UK, Austria, Mexico and Ecuador, which together accounted for a further 31%.

Mexico, with a CAGR of +122.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average silicates export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, standing approx. at 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 2013 an increase of 116%. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Netherlands (+3.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Silicates Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2021, supplies from abroad of silicates, commercial alkali metal silicates increased by 67% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, silicates imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, recorded a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of silicates to Belgium, with a 73% share of total imports. Moreover, silicates imports from Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Poland (X tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the Netherlands (X tons), with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from Germany stood at +24.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Poland (-9.8% per year) and the Netherlands (-8.3% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Poland ($X) appeared to be the largest silicates suppliers to Belgium, with a combined 73% share of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, Germany, with a CAGR of +12.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average silicates import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, falling by -25.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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