United Kingdom: Polycarbonate Market 2024

Polycarbonate Market Size in the UK

The UK polycarbonate market declined remarkably to $X in 2022, which is down by -20.8% against the previous year. In general, consumption recorded a mild contraction. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Polycarbonate Production in the UK

In value terms, polycarbonate production declined to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a perceptible contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production attained the maximum level at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Polycarbonate Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2022, shipments abroad of polycarbonates (in primary forms) increased by 77% to X tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +8.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +98.1% against 2020 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, polycarbonate exports surged to $X in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a buoyant increase. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) was the main destination for polycarbonate exports from the UK, with a 50% share of total exports. Moreover, polycarbonate exports to Germany exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Malaysia (X tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Belgium (X tons), with an 8.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Germany amounted to +15.6%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+88.5% per year) and Belgium (+22.1% per year).

In value terms, Germany ($X) emerged as the key foreign market for polycarbonates (in primary forms) exports from the UK, comprising 51% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($X), with a 9.7% share of total exports. It was followed by France, with a 4.8% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value to Germany totaled +16.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+21.8% per year) and France (-2.6% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average polycarbonate export price amounted to $X per ton, waning by -11.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a mild curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Malaysia ($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 Spain (+13.6%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Polycarbonate Imports

Imports into the UK

In 2022, approx. X tons of polycarbonates (in primary forms) were imported into the UK; shrinking by -25.1% against the previous year's figure. Overall, imports recorded a slight setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 14%. As a result, imports reached the peak of X tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, polycarbonate imports contracted to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and Spain (X tons) were the main suppliers of polycarbonate imports to the UK, with a combined 67% share of total imports. These countries were followed by South Korea, the Netherlands, Poland and Italy, which together accounted for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Poland (with a CAGR of +176.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Belgium ($X) and the Netherlands ($X) were the largest polycarbonate suppliers to the UK, together comprising 66% of total imports. These countries were followed by South Korea, Spain, Poland and Italy, which together accounted for a further 27%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Poland, with a CAGR of +172.3%, 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

In 2022, the average polycarbonate import price amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 14% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 30% against the previous year. The import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 Poland ($X per ton), while the price for Spain ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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