United Kingdom: Laser Market 2025

Laser Market Size in the UK

In 2021, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in the UK laser market, when its value decreased by -62.9% to $X. Overall, consumption, however, showed a strong expansion. Over the period under review, the market reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then dropped remarkably in the following year.

Laser Production in the UK

In value terms, laser production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +5.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 83%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Laser Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, the amount of lasers, other than laser diodes exported from the UK surged to X units, jumping by 34% compared with 2020 figures. In general, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -0.3% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when exports increased by 36%. The exports peaked at X units in 2019; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

In value terms, laser exports soared to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 40%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

China (X units), Germany (X units) and the United States (X units) were the main destinations of laser exports from the UK, together comprising 49% of total exports. Spain, Italy, South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, Thailand, Switzerland, France, Hong Kong SAR and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Thailand (with a CAGR of +49.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X) remains the key foreign market for laser exports from the UK, comprising 38% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($X), with an 18% share of total exports. It was followed by China, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to the United States totaled +3.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (+11.3% per year) and China (+15.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average laser export price stood at $X per unit in 2021, falling by -1.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a noticeable descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average export price increased by 31%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per unit in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per unit), while the average price for exports to Thailand ($X per unit) 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 (+4.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Laser Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2021, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of lasers, other than laser diodes, when their volume decreased by -10.9% to X units. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X units in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, laser imports declined to $X in 2021. In general, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 33%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

China (X units), the United States (X units) and Germany (X units) were the main suppliers of laser imports to the UK, together comprising 65% of total imports. Thailand, the Netherlands, Israel, Canada and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were in Thailand (with a CAGR of +35.6%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest laser suppliers to the UK were the United States ($X), Germany ($X) and Thailand ($X), together accounting for 63% of total imports.

In terms of the main suppliers, Thailand, with a CAGR of +26.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2021, the average laser import price amounted to $X per unit, dropping by -2.2% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per unit. From 2018 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was France ($X per unit), while the price for China ($X per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+7.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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