EU: Lactam Market 2025

Lactam Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU lactam market decreased by -2.7% to $X for the first time since 2011, thus ending a nine-year rising trend. The total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +64.2% against 2012 indices. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Lactam Production in the EU

In value terms, lactam production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded temperate growth. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Lactam Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, overseas shipments of lactams from heterocyclic compounds were finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a pronounced descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 10%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lactam exports rose rapidly to $X in 2021. In general, exports posted buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when exports increased by 270% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Belgium (X tons) represented the major exporter of lactams from heterocyclic compounds, committing 52% of total exports. The Netherlands (X tons) held a 16% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Germany (15%), the Czech Republic (6.4%) and Poland (5.7%). The following exporters - France (X tons) and Spain (X tons) - each recorded a 3.4% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to lactam exports from Belgium stood at -3.3%. At the same time, the Netherlands (+8.1%) and France (+3.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +8.1% from 2012-2021. The Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Germany (-1.4%), Poland (-10.2%) and Spain (-17.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The Netherlands (+9.8 p.p.) and Germany (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total exports, while Belgium, Spain and Poland saw its share reduced by -2.5%, -5.1% and -5.9% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest lactam supplying countries in the European Union were France ($X), Belgium ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 22% share of total exports.

France, with a CAGR of +32.5%, recorded 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 leaders experienced mixed trends in the exports figures.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, leveling off at the previous year. In general, the export price, however, posted a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 302%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

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 France ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+27.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lactam Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, purchases abroad of lactams from heterocyclic compounds was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lactam imports declined to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 263% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany represented the major importing country with an import of about X tons, which recorded 46% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Italy (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Slovenia (X tons), together comprising a 42% share of total imports. The following importers - Poland (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) - together made up 5.4% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +6.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported lactams from heterocyclic compounds in the European Union, comprising 37% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Italy ($X), with a 5.5% share of total imports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 4.3% share.

In Germany, lactam imports expanded at an average annual rate of +26.9% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Italy (-9.0% per year) and Belgium (-9.8% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, which is down by -26.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, posted a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the import price increased by 257% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2020, and then fell notably 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 ($X per ton), while Slovenia ($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 (+25.4%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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