MERCOSUR: Polycarbonate Market 2024

Polycarbonate Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR polycarbonate market rose modestly to $X in 2022, with an increase of 4.4% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The level of consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Polycarbonate Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, polycarbonate production contracted slightly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 21%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Polycarbonate Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of polycarbonates (in primary forms) decreased by -29% to X tons in 2022. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when exports increased by 97% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, polycarbonate exports fell markedly to $X in 2022. Overall, exports continue to indicate a perceptible decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 104% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2022, Colombia (X tons), distantly followed by Chile (X tons), Peru (X tons), Argentina (X tons), Venezuela (X tons) and Brazil (X tons) represented the major exporters of polycarbonates (in primary forms), together making up 98% of total exports. Uruguay (X tons) held a minor share 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 Chile (with a CAGR of +81.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polycarbonate supplying countries in MERCOSUR were Colombia ($X), Argentina ($X) and Brazil ($X), with a combined 64% share of total exports. Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Uruguay lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Chile, with a CAGR of +68.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2022, the export price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, which is down by -17.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a pronounced downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the export price increased by 25%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+2.2%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Polycarbonate Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of polycarbonates (in primary forms), when their volume decreased by -5.4% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate imports expanded remarkably to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +55.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 45% against the previous year. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Brazil (X tons) represented the largest importer of polycarbonates (in primary forms), generating 58% of total imports. Chile (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 17% share, followed by Argentina (14%) and Colombia (6%). Peru (X tons) and Ecuador (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

Imports into Brazil increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Peru (+12.4%), Colombia (+6.6%), Chile (+5.1%), Argentina (+2.4%) and Ecuador (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Peru emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +12.4% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Chile, Colombia and Peru increased by +4.5, +2.2 and +2 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Brazil ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported polycarbonates (in primary forms) in MERCOSUR, comprising 59% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Chile ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Argentina, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Brazil totaled +3.5%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Chile (+5.8% per year) and Argentina (+3.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 13% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.2%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 27%. The level of import peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue 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 Argentina ($X per ton), while Ecuador ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform