Europe: Polycarbonate Market 2024

Polycarbonate Market Size in Europe

The Europe polycarbonate market reduced to $X in 2022, with a decrease of -10.5% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then fell in the following year.

Polycarbonate Production in Europe

In value terms, polycarbonate production shrank rapidly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 72% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X, and then declined remarkably in the following year.

Polycarbonate Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2022, shipments abroad of polycarbonates (in primary forms) decreased by -14.7% to X tons for the first time since 2011, thus ending a ten-year rising trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% 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 2017 with an increase of 7.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate exports reduced modestly to $X in 2022. Total exports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +35.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 38% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) and Spain (X tons) represented roughly 64% of total exports in 2022. Italy (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with an 11% share, followed by Hungary (6.3%). Poland (X tons), Russia (X tons) and the Czech Republic (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +13.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polycarbonate supplying countries in Europe were the Netherlands ($X), Spain ($X) and Italy ($X), with a combined 75% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Hungary, Poland, Russia and the Czech Republic, which together accounted for a further 15%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +15.7%, 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

In 2022, the export price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 15% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, the export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was 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 Europe

Polycarbonate imports dropped to X tons in 2022, reducing by -12% compared with the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 15%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons, and then declined in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate imports shrank slightly to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 46% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X, leveling off in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Germany (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the largest importers of polycarbonates (in primary forms) in Europe, together amounting to approx. 29% of total imports. The Netherlands (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Spain (X tons), Hungary (X tons), the UK (X tons), Slovakia (X tons) and France (X tons). All these countries together held near 48% share of total imports. Austria (X tons), Russia (X tons) and Sweden (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

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) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 37% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, France, Slovakia, the UK, Austria, Sweden and Russia, which together accounted for a further 49%.

Among the main importing countries, Spain, with a CAGR of +9.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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 Europe amounted to $X per ton, surging by 13% 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 27% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while Russia ($X per ton) was 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