Europe: Graphite Market 2024

Graphite Market Size in Europe

In 2021, the Europe graphite market increased by 4.8% to $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 6.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Graphite Production in Europe

In value terms, graphite production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, production reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Graphite Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, exports of graphite (natural) in Europe skyrocketed to X tons, surging by 17% on the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 40%. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, graphite exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) and Germany (X tons) represented the largest exporters of graphite (natural) in 2021, accounting for approx. 30% and 26% of total exports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Norway (X tons), Austria (X tons) and Russia (X tons), together mixing up a 29% share of total exports. The following exporters - Ukraine (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) - together made up 6.8% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +11.6%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest graphite supplying countries in Europe were Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Austria ($X), together accounting for 70% of total exports.

Among the main exporting countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +11.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, 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 Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the export price increased by 24% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while Russia ($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 Czech Republic (+1.1%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Graphite Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2021, supplies from abroad of graphite (natural) increased by 28% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 37%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, graphite imports surged to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the last nine years. 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.

Imports by Country

Germany represented the major importer of graphite (natural) in Europe, with the volume of imports recording X tons, which was approx. 32% of total imports in 2021. It was distantly followed by the Netherlands (X tons), Austria (X tons), Poland (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and France (X tons), together achieving a 44% share of total imports. The following importers - Spain (X tons), the UK (X tons), Italy (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Hungary (X tons) - together made up 17% of total imports.

Imports into Germany increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Hungary (+52.2%), Poland (+9.5%), Austria (+7.7%), the UK (+6.1%), the Netherlands (+5.7%), Belgium (+2.9%) and Spain (+2.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hungary emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +52.2% from 2012-2021. Italy and France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Russia (-11.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Poland and Hungary increased by +6.4, +4.6, +4.1, +3.9 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Poland ($X) and Hungary ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 53% of total imports.

Hungary, with a CAGR of +59.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 4.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, import prices reached the maximum in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+8.0%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform