Japan: Lactam Market 2025

Lactam Market Size in Japan

The Japanese lactam market was finally on the rise to reach $X in 2021, after two years of decline. In general, the total consumption indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Lactam Production in Japan

In value terms, lactam production expanded modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, recorded a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 7.1%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Lactam Exports

Exports from Japan

In 2021, overseas shipments of lactams from heterocyclic compounds decreased by -7% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year rising trend. In general, exports saw a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 6.8%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, lactam exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports faced a abrupt downturn. The exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) was the main destination for lactam exports from Japan, accounting for a 56% share of total exports. Moreover, lactam exports to Taiwan (Chinese) exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Switzerland (X tons), fivefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Indonesia (X tons), with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Taiwan (Chinese) amounted to -3.5%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Switzerland (+3.5% per year) and Indonesia (+7.5% per year).

In value terms, Taiwan (Chinese) ($X), Switzerland ($X) and South Korea ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for lactam exported from Japan worldwide, with a combined 59% share of total exports. These countries were followed by China, Indonesia, Vietnam, the United States, Thailand and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for a further 23%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +29.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The average lactam export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 30% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to South Korea (+23.3%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lactam Imports

Imports into Japan

In 2021, the amount of lactams from heterocyclic compounds imported into Japan expanded notably to X tons, picking up by 13% on the year before. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lactam imports rose notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 41% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

China (X tons), the United States (X tons) and South Korea (X tons) were the main suppliers of lactam imports to Japan, with a combined 71% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Italy, Singapore, Croatia, Germany, France, Spain and Ukraine, which together accounted for a further 18%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Croatia (with a CAGR of +190.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest lactam suppliers to Japan were China ($X), Singapore ($X) and Croatia ($X), together accounting for 46% of total imports.

Croatia, with a CAGR of +208.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average lactam import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, shrinking by -3.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the average import price increased by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+79.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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