Eastern Asia: Polycarbonate Market 2024

Polycarbonate Market Size in Eastern Asia

The East Asian polycarbonate market dropped to $X in 2022, reducing by -6.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Polycarbonate Production in Eastern Asia

In value terms, polycarbonate production declined modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total production indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +2.8% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 21%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Polycarbonate Exports

Exports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of polycarbonates (in primary forms), when their volume decreased by -8.8% to X tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.9%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate exports shrank notably to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 54% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted markedly in the following year.

Exports by Country

South Korea was the largest exporting country with an export of around X tons, which amounted to 43% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), China (X tons), Japan (X tons) and Hong Kong SAR (X tons), together achieving a 57% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +5.5%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Korea ($X), Taiwan (Chinese) ($X) and China ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 80% share of total exports.

Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of +5.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 44% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then fell significantly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+1.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Polycarbonate Imports

Imports in Eastern Asia

In 2022, purchases abroad of polycarbonates (in primary forms) decreased by -6.8% to X tons, falling for the second year in a row after four years of growth. Overall, imports continue to indicate a slight contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 8.3%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, polycarbonate imports reduced to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 34% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then reduced in the following year.

Imports by Country

China dominates imports structure, resulting at X tons, which was near 81% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), achieving a 6.5% share of total imports. The following importers - Hong Kong SAR (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and Japan (X tons) - each accounted for a 13% share of total imports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the polycarbonates (in primary forms) imports, with a CAGR of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022. Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. South Korea (-2.1%), Taiwan (Chinese) (-5.6%) and Hong Kong SAR (-13.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+17 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Taiwan (Chinese) and Hong Kong SAR saw its share reduced by -3.9% and -12.5% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported polycarbonates (in primary forms) in Eastern Asia, comprising 79% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), with a 7.2% share of total imports. It was followed by Hong Kong SAR, with a 5.8% share.

In China, polycarbonate imports expanded at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Taiwan (Chinese) (-3.5% per year) and Hong Kong SAR (-11.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2022, declining by -8.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the import price increased by 42%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then reduced in the following year.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in Hong Kong SAR ($X per ton) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X per ton), while South Korea ($X per ton) and China ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+2.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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