Europe: Mineral Wool Market 2024

Mineral Wool Market Size in Europe

After two years of decline, the Europe mineral wool market increased by 9% to $X in 2021. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Mineral Wool Production in Europe

In value terms, mineral wool production rose notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth remained at a lower figure.

Mineral Wool Exports

Exports in Europe

In 2021, shipments abroad of slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools and mixtures increased by 14% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, mineral wool exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% 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

Poland (X tons), Germany (X tons), Russia (X tons), Croatia (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Slovenia (X tons), Norway (X tons), Spain (X tons), Slovakia (X tons), France (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) represented roughly 84% of total exports in 2021.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Norway (with a CAGR of +15.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Poland ($X), Germany ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 45% share of total exports. The UK, France, Russia, Croatia, Slovenia, Norway, Spain, Slovakia and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

Among the main exporting countries, the UK, with a CAGR of +9.7%, 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, surging by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 the UK ($X per ton), while Russia ($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 UK (+1.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Mineral Wool Imports

Imports in Europe

In 2021, overseas purchases of slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools and mixtures were finally on the rise to reach 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 +4.9% 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 when imports increased by 18% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, mineral wool imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern 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

In 2021, Italy (X tons), France (X tons) and Germany (X tons) represented the main importer of slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools and mixtures in Europe, constituting 32% of total import. Austria (X tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 6.1% share, followed by Sweden (5.4%) and Romania (4.6%). Poland (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Finland (X tons), Belarus (X tons) and Norway (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 leading importing countries, was attained by Romania (with a CAGR of +11.2%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), France ($X) and Italy ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 32% of total imports. Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Norway, Romania, Finland and Belarus lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

Among the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +9.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

The import price in Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 7.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 the Netherlands ($X per ton), while Belarus ($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 Netherlands (+4.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform