United Kingdom: Mineral Wool Market 2024

Mineral Wool Market Size in the UK

The UK mineral wool market expanded slightly to $X in 2021, surging by 1.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption decreased by -0.3% against 2018 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Mineral Wool Production in the UK

In value terms, mineral wool production reduced to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, production increased by +38.5% against 2014 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2020, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Mineral Wool Exports

Exports from the UK

In 2021, the amount of slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools and mixtures exported from the UK totaled X tons, remaining constant against 2020. Overall, total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -6.4% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, mineral wool 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 +9.7% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +84.9% against 2017 indices. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), Ireland (X tons) and Japan (X tons) were the main destinations of mineral wool exports from the UK, together comprising 63% of total exports. These countries were followed by the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, China, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, Sweden and Norway, which together accounted for a further 23%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +47.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Ireland ($X), France ($X) and Germany ($X) were the largest markets for mineral wool exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 36% share of total exports. Japan, China, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates, Denmark and Norway lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

Among the main countries of destination, Poland, with a CAGR of +52.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, 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 mineral wool export price amounted to $X per ton, rising by 56% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to France ($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 China (+19.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Mineral Wool Imports

Imports into the UK

After two years of decline, overseas purchases of slag wool, rock wool and similar mineral wools and mixtures increased by 25% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, imports showed prominent growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 62% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, mineral wool imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Poland (X tons) and Germany (X tons) were the main suppliers of mineral wool imports to the UK, with a combined 65% share of total imports. These countries were followed by France, China, Ireland, Sweden and Iceland, which together accounted for a further 25%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Sweden (with a CAGR of +38.3%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest mineral wool suppliers to the UK were the Netherlands ($X), Poland ($X) and Germany ($X), together comprising 65% of total imports. These countries were followed by China, France, Ireland, Sweden and Iceland, which together accounted for a further 23%.

Sweden, with a CAGR of +19.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers 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 mineral wool import price amounted to $X per ton, surging by 6.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a slight decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 38% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

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 China ($X per ton), while the price for Germany ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+8.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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