Global Polycarbonate Market 2024

Polycarbonate Market Size

The global polycarbonate market contracted modestly to $X in 2022, shrinking by -4.8% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

Polycarbonate Production

In value terms, polycarbonate production fell to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Polycarbonate Exports

Exports

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in shipments abroad of polycarbonates (in primary forms), when their volume decreased by -6.7% to X tons. Overall, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 6.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at X tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate exports fell to $X in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 40%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X, and then declined in the following year.

Exports by Country

In 2022, South Korea (X tons), distantly followed by Thailand (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), the United States (X tons), China (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Spain (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Singapore (X tons) represented the main exporters of polycarbonates (in primary forms), together constituting 82% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +5.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polycarbonate supplying countries worldwide were South Korea ($X), the United States ($X) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), together comprising 39% of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of +5.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average polycarbonate export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, waning by -4.2% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 34%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+1.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Polycarbonate Imports

Imports

Global polycarbonate imports shrank to X tons in 2022, waning by -8.2% compared with the previous year. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 11%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate imports shrank to $X in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X, and then shrank in the following year.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) represented the largest importer of polycarbonates (in primary forms), making up 34% of total imports. Mexico (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 5.5% share, followed by India (5.4%). The following importers - Germany (X tons), Italy (X tons), the United States (X tons), Vietnam (X tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons), Singapore (X tons), Malaysia (X tons), Hong Kong SAR (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) - together made up 27% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to polycarbonate imports into China stood at +1.3%. At the same time, Vietnam (+12.6%), the United States (+6.8%), India (+6.2%), the Netherlands (+5.4%), Mexico (+4.1%) and Malaysia (+3.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Vietnam emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +12.6% from 2012-2022. Italy and Germany experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, South Korea (-2.1%), Taiwan (Chinese) (-5.6%), Singapore (-6.3%) and Hong Kong SAR (-13.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. India (+2.2 p.p.), Vietnam (+2.1 p.p.), China (+1.6 p.p.) and Mexico (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Taiwan (Chinese), Singapore and Hong Kong SAR saw its share reduced by -2.5%, -2.7% and -6.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported polycarbonates (in primary forms) worldwide, comprising 30% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mexico ($X), with a 6.8% share of global imports. It was followed by India, with a 5.1% share.

In China, polycarbonate imports increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mexico (+5.6% per year) and India (+7.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average polycarbonate import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, increasing by 2.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

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 Mexico ($X per ton), while Malaysia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Singapore (+4.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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