United Kingdom: Alkali Metals Market 2024

Alkali Metals Market Size in the UK

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the UK alkali metals market, when its value decreased by -27.5% to $X. Overall, consumption saw a deep contraction. Alkali metals consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Alkali Metals Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, exports of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury from the UK surged to X tons, jumping by 150% against the previous year's figure. In general, exports showed resilient growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, alkali metals exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), Germany (X tons) and Saudi Arabia (X tons) were the main destinations of alkali metals exports from the UK, together comprising 48% of total exports. These countries were followed by Ireland, Iceland, the Netherlands, the United States, South Africa and Brazil, which together accounted for a further 39%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Iceland (with a CAGR of +138.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest markets for alkali metals exported from the UK were Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and the United States ($X), with a combined 54% share of total exports. These countries were followed by France, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Ireland, Iceland and Brazil, which together accounted for a further 28%.

Iceland, with a CAGR of +134.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2021, the average alkali metals export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -5.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when the average export price increased by 22% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Iceland ($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 Vietnam (+50.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced mixed trend patterns.

Alkali Metals Imports

Imports into the UK

After three years of growth, overseas purchases of alkali or alkaline-earth metals, rare-earth metals, scandium and yttrium, mercury decreased by -30.8% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports recorded a abrupt descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when imports increased by 97% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, alkali metals imports rose slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

France (X tons), China (X tons) and the United States (X tons) were the main suppliers of alkali metals imports to the UK, together accounting for 79% of total imports. These countries were followed by Germany, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands, which together accounted for a further 19%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +76.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X), China ($X) and France ($X) appeared to be the largest alkali metals suppliers to the UK, together accounting for 85% of total imports. These countries were followed by Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands, which together accounted for a further 7.9%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Ireland, with a CAGR of +63.3%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average alkali metals import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 51% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 65%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+16.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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