European Polycarbonate Market Posted Solid Gains and Reached $3.8B in 2018

IndexBox has just published a new report: 'EU - Polycarbonates (In Primary Forms) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights'. Here is a summary of the report's key findings.

The revenue of the polycarbonate market in the European Union amounted to $3.8B in 2018, jumping by 26% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The total market indicated prominent growth from 2007 to 2018: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.6% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, polycarbonate consumption increased by +43.8% against 2013 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 with an increase of 31% y-o-y. The level of polycarbonate consumption peaked in 2018 and is expected to retain its growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country in the EU

The countries with the highest volumes of polycarbonate consumption in 2018 were the Netherlands (349K tonnes), Spain (223K tonnes) and Germany (138K tonnes), with a combined 53% share of total consumption.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of polycarbonate consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by the Netherlands, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($1.1B), Spain ($610M) and Italy ($394M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2018, together comprising 54% of the total market.

In 2018, the highest levels of polycarbonate per capita consumption was registered in the Netherlands (20,444 kg per 1000 persons), followed by the Czech Republic (7,076 kg per 1000 persons), Slovakia (6,652 kg per 1000 persons) and Spain (4,793 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of polycarbonate was estimated at 2,650 kg per 1000 persons.

From 2007 to 2018, the average annual growth rate of the polycarbonate per capita consumption in the Netherlands totaled +19.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Czech Republic (+8.3% per year) and Slovakia (+12.4% per year).

Market Forecast 2019-2025 in the EU

Driven by increasing demand for polycarbonate in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next seven years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.3% for the seven-year period from 2018 to 2025, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.5M tonnes by the end of 2025.

Production in the EU

In 2018, polycarbonate production in the European Union totaled 1.5M tonnes, picking up by 7.4% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2010 when production volume increased by 21% against the previous year. The volume of polycarbonate production peaked in 2018 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, polycarbonate production totaled $4.1B in 2018 estimated in export prices. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2007 to 2018; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations over the period under review. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2011 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The level of polycarbonate production peaked in 2018 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Production By Country in the EU

The countries with the highest volumes of polycarbonate production in 2018 were the Netherlands (563K tonnes), Spain (360K tonnes) and Germany (273K tonnes), together accounting for 79% of total production.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of polycarbonate production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by the Netherlands, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports in the EU

The exports stood at 1.2M tonnes in 2018, coming down by -13.5% against the previous year. In general, polycarbonate exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, polycarbonate exports reached their peak figure at 1.4M tonnes in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate exports totaled $3.5B in 2018. Overall, polycarbonate exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when Exports increased by 24% year-to-year. Over the period under review, polycarbonate exports attained their maximum at $3.6B in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Exports by Country

The countries with the highest levels of polycarbonate exports in 2018 were Germany (327K tonnes), the Netherlands (268K tonnes), Belgium (257K tonnes) and Spain (173K tonnes), together finishing at 87% of total export. It was distantly followed by Italy (73K tonnes), mixing up a 6.2% share of total exports. The following exporters - Poland (22K tonnes) and Hungary (19K tonnes) - each recorded a 3.5% share of total exports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of exports, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Poland, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polycarbonate markets in the European Union were Germany ($944M), the Netherlands ($833M) and Belgium ($662M), with a combined 71% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Spain, Italy, Poland and Hungary, which together accounted for a further 25%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Poland experienced the highest rates of growth with regard to exports, over the last eleven years, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The polycarbonate export price in the European Union stood at $2,924 per tonne in 2018, growing by 9.8% against the previous year. In general, the polycarbonate export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 when the export price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices for polycarbonates (in primary forms) reached their peak figure at $3,340 per tonne in 2011; however, from 2012 to 2018, export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2018, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Italy ($3,447 per tonne) and Poland ($3,329 per tonne), while Belgium ($2,574 per tonne) and Spain ($2,847 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland, while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports in the EU

In 2018, the amount of polycarbonates (in primary forms) imported in the European Union totaled 1M tonnes, waning by -4.4% against the previous year. The total imports indicated moderate growth from 2007 to 2018: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2018 figures, polycarbonate imports increased by +26.4% against 2012 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, polycarbonate imports attained their peak figure at 1.1M tonnes in 2017, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, polycarbonate imports stood at $2.9B in 2018. Overall, polycarbonate imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of 23% y-o-y. Over the period under review, polycarbonate imports reached their maximum in 2018 and are expected to retain its growth in the near future.

Imports by Country

Germany (193K tonnes) and Italy (151K tonnes) represented roughly 34% of total imports of polycarbonates (in primary forms) in 2018. The UK (84K tonnes) held an 8.3% share (based on tonnes) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by the Czech Republic (8%), Poland (7%), France (5.9%), Belgium (5.4%) and the Netherlands (5.4%). Slovakia (42K tonnes), Austria (41K tonnes), Spain (35K tonnes) and Sweden (27K tonnes) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of imports, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Slovakia, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polycarbonate importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($543M), Italy ($396M) and the Czech Republic ($242M), with a combined 40% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the UK, Poland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovakia, Spain, Austria and Sweden, which together accounted for a further 46%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Slovakia experienced the highest growth rate of imports, over the last eleven years, while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2018, the polycarbonate import price in the European Union amounted to $2,883 per tonne, increasing by 9.2% against the previous year. Overall, the polycarbonate import price, however, continues to indicate a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2011 when the import price increased by 13% year-to-year. In that year, the import prices for polycarbonates (in primary forms) reached their peak level of $3,469 per tonne. From 2012 to 2018, the growth in terms of the import prices for polycarbonates (in primary forms) failed to regain its momentum.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2018, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in France ($3,413 per tonne) and Poland ($3,120 per tonne), while Austria ($2,496 per tonne) and Belgium ($2,541 per tonne) were amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2018, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands, while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform