United Kingdom: Activated Carbon Market 2024

Activated Carbon Market Size in the UK

The UK activated carbon market totaled $X in 2022, growing by 6.2% against the previous year. Overall, the total consumption indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +60.4% against 2016 indices. Activated carbon consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Activated Carbon Production in the UK

In value terms, activated carbon production rose modestly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -3.0% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Activated Carbon Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, shipments abroad of activated carbon decreased by -3.1% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a slight reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, activated carbon exports totaled $X in 2022. In general, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), France (X tons) and Belgium (X tons) were the main destinations of activated carbon exports from the UK, with a combined 39% share of total exports. Ireland, Germany, Poland, Italy, India, the United States, Spain, Slovenia, China and Ukraine lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 48%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovenia (with a CAGR of +52.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for activated carbon exported from the UK were Poland ($X), Belgium ($X) and Germany ($X), with a combined 36% share of total exports. France, Slovenia, the Netherlands, the United States, Ireland, Italy, India, Spain, China and Ukraine lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 51%.

Slovenia, with a CAGR of +75.5%, saw 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 activated carbon export price stood at $X per ton in 2022, growing by 4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a mild expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Slovenia ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Slovenia (+15.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Activated Carbon Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, supplies from abroad of activated carbon was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when imports increased by 38%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, activated carbon imports skyrocketed to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% 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 +71.0% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest activated carbon supplier to the UK, accounting for a 40% share of total imports. Moreover, activated carbon imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Belgium (X tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by France (X tons), with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China stood at +10.8%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Belgium (-6.6% per year) and France (+7.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) constituted the largest supplier of activated carbon to the UK, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($X), with a 9.8% share of total imports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 9.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from China totaled +15.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the United States (+12.9% per year) and Belgium (-6.7% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average activated carbon import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average import price increased by 17%. The import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for France ($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 (+7.2%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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