EU: Polycarbonate Market 2024

Polycarbonate Market Size in the EU

The EU polycarbonate market shrank to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -10.5% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated tangible growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +51.5% against 2020 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Polycarbonate Production in the EU

In value terms, polycarbonate production fell notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 79% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then plummeted in the following year.

Polycarbonate Exports

Exports in the EU

After ten years of growth, overseas shipments of polycarbonates (in primary forms) decreased by -15.1% to X tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 8.2% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2021, and then dropped sharply in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate exports declined modestly to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 35% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) and Spain (X tons) represented the main exporters of polycarbonates (in primary forms) in 2022, accounting for near 37% and 31% of total exports, respectively. Italy (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Hungary (X tons). All these countries together held near 18% share of total exports. The following exporters - Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Slovakia (X tons) - together made up 7.8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Slovakia (with a CAGR of +31.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polycarbonate supplying countries in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), Spain ($X) and Italy ($X), together accounting for 79% of total exports. Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 14%.

Slovakia, with a CAGR of +29.0%, 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 leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2022, with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the maximum in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Italy ($X per ton) and the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Slovakia ($X per ton) and Spain ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+2.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Polycarbonate Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2022, approx. X tons of polycarbonates (in primary forms) were imported in the European Union; with a decrease of -11.8% compared with the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 19%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate imports reached $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +49.2% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 48%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the major importers of polycarbonates (in primary forms) in the European Union, together achieving 33% of total imports. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Spain (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Slovakia (X tons) and France (X tons), together generating a 49% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +11.0%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Italy ($X) and Poland ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 41% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, France and Slovakia, which together accounted for a further 41%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +9.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 25% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in France ($X per ton) and Slovakia ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) and Spain ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+2.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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