Switzerland: Alkali Metals Market 2024

Alkali Metals Market Size in Switzerland

The Swiss alkali metals market reduced to $X in 2021, falling by -9.4% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, posted strong growth. Alkali metals consumption peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Alkali Metals Exports

Exports from Switzerland

After five years of decline, overseas shipments of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury increased by 68% to X tons in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a sharp downturn. The exports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, alkali metals exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports, however, continue to indicate a significant decline. The exports peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

Australia (X tons) was the main destination for alkali metals exports from Switzerland, accounting for a 50% share of total exports. Moreover, alkali metals exports to Australia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Turkey (X tons), twofold. Spain (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 14% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Australia totaled +92.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Turkey (-30.4% per year) and Spain (-2.3% per year).

In value terms, Australia ($X), Turkey ($X) and Germany ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for alkali metals exported from Switzerland worldwide, together comprising 83% of total exports.

In terms of the main countries of destination, Australia, with a CAGR of +93.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average alkali metals export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -5.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, continues to indicate a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the average export price increased by 126%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($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 Poland (+22.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Alkali Metals Imports

Imports into Switzerland

In 2021, approx. X tons of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury were imported into Switzerland; shrinking by -12.9% against the year before. In general, total imports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -19.4% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 44%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2020 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, alkali metals imports contracted modestly to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, France (X tons) constituted the largest alkali metals supplier to Switzerland, with a 73% share of total imports. Moreover, alkali metals imports from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by China (X tons), with a 3.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from France totaled +7.5%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+7.6% per year) and China (-5.5% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury to Switzerland, comprising 66% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($X), with a 12% share of total imports. It was followed by France, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Germany amounted to +10.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: China (-2.2% per year) and France (+4.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average alkali metals import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a noticeable downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 29%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for France ($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 United States (+8.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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