EU: Alkali Metals Market 2024

Alkali Metals Market Size in the EU

The EU alkali metals market plummeted to $X in 2021, reducing by -26.4% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, showed a prominent increase. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then fell markedly in the following year.

Alkali Metals Production in the EU

In value terms, alkali metals production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 25% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Alkali Metals Exports

Exports in the EU

After two years of decline, overseas shipments of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury increased by 324% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, recorded a mild slump. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, alkali metals exports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, recorded a slight reduction. The level of export peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

France represented the major exporting country with an export of about X tons, which amounted to 81% of total exports. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), comprising an 11% share of total exports. Germany (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury. At the same time, the Netherlands (+3.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +3.9% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Germany (-7.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of France (+9.3 p.p.) and the Netherlands (+4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2021, the share of Germany (-3.3 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, France ($X) emerged as the largest alkali metals supplier in the European Union, comprising 57% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($X), with a 20% share of total exports.

In France, alkali metals exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+0.9% per year) and Germany (-2.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, waning by -54.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 70%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank notably in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+5.3%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Alkali Metals Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, overseas purchases of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury increased by 9.4% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +71.5% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 57%. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, alkali metals imports dropped to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports saw strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 123%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, and then contracted in the following year.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons) and France (X tons) represented the main importers of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury in 2021, resulting at near 25% and 22% of total imports, respectively. The Netherlands (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by Poland (10%), Italy (9.1%) and Belgium (7.2%). Spain (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +28.8%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury in the European Union, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by France ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with an 8.8% share.

In Germany, alkali metals imports increased at an average annual rate of +13.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (+5.5% per year) and the Netherlands (-0.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, declining by -10% against the previous year. Import price indicated a notable increase from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, alkali metals import price increased by +45.0% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the import price increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then shrank in the following year.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+13.6%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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