Global Silicon Market Set for Steady Growth to Reach 4.7 Million Tons Valued at $17 Billion by 2035

IndexBox has just published a new report: World - Silicon - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

This comprehensive analysis of the global silicon market covers historical data from 2013 to 2024 and provides forecasts through 2035. The market is expected to grow with a CAGR of +2.3% in volume and +3.5% in value terms, reaching 4.7M tons valued at $17B by 2035. China dominates both production (72% share, 2.7M tons) and consumption (55% share, 2M tons), with Germany, the United States, Brazil, and Norway as other key players. Global trade shows Germany, Japan, and the United States as major importers, while China, Norway, and Brazil lead exports. Import and export prices declined significantly in 2024 to $4,646/ton and $4,352/ton respectively, reflecting market adjustments after peak levels in 2022.

Key Findings

• Global silicon market is forecast to reach 4.7M tons in volume and $17B in value by 2035
• China dominates the market, accounting for 55% of global consumption and 72% of production
• Global import and export prices fell significantly in 2024 to $4,646 and $4,352 per ton respectively
• Germany, Japan, and the United States are the world's largest silicon importers by volume
• France and Malaysia showed the most dynamic export growth with CAGRs of +91.3% and +33.2%

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for silicon worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4.7M tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.5% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $17B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

World's Consumption of Silicon

In 2024, global silicon consumption fell to 3.7M tons, leveling off at 2023. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 3.9M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global silicon market revenue dropped to $11.7B in 2024, shrinking by -5.3% 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 market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $14.8B. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the global market failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

China (2M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of silicon consumption, accounting for 55% of total volume. Moreover, silicon consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Germany (201K tons), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (199K tons), with a 5.4% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume in China stood at +6.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+0.4% per year) and the United States (-1.8% per year).

In value terms, China ($5B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Japan ($1.1B). It was followed by the United States.

In China, the silicon market expanded at an average annual rate of +7.3% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (-1.9% per year) and the United States (-1.3% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of silicon per capita consumption in 2024 were Germany (2.4 kg per person), South Korea (1.7 kg per person) and Japan (1.5 kg per person).

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +7.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World's Production of Silicon

In 2024, the amount of silicon produced worldwide totaled 3.8M tons, with an increase of 1.8% compared with the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 8.7% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 3.9M tons. From 2023 to 2024, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silicon production declined to $12.7B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of 26% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $16.1B. From 2023 to 2024, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (2.7M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of silicon production, comprising approx. 72% of total volume. Moreover, silicon production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Brazil (262K tons), tenfold. Norway (203K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.4% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China amounted to +5.0%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Brazil (+3.5% per year) and Norway (-1.1% per year).

Imports

World's Imports of Silicon

In 2024, purchases abroad of silicon was finally on the rise to reach 1.7M tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. In general, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 24%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 2M tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of global imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, silicon imports shrank to $7.7B in 2024. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 63%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at $12.3B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of silicon imports in 2024 were Germany (234K tons), Japan (186K tons), the United States (149K tons), the Netherlands (125K tons), South Korea (92K tons), India (91K tons), Thailand (88K tons), Malaysia (80K tons) and China (70K tons), together resulting at 67% of total import. Italy (51K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Malaysia (with a CAGR of +14.3%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($1B), China ($1B) and Germany ($727M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 36% share of global imports. The United States, South Korea, Thailand, the Netherlands, Malaysia, India and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 31%.

Among the main importing countries, Thailand, with a CAGR of +13.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average silicon import price stood at $4,646 per ton in 2024, falling by -17.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of 43% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $6,469 per ton. From 2023 to 2024, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($14,557 per ton), while India ($2,035 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+7.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World's Exports of Silicon

In 2024, approx. 1.7M tons of silicon were exported worldwide; with an increase of 15% against 2023. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 24% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 1.9M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, silicon exports reduced to $7.6B in 2024. In general, exports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 72% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum at $11.8B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2024, China (773K tons) represented the major exporter of silicon, mixing up 44% of total exports. Norway (181K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 10% share, followed by Brazil (9.6%), the Netherlands (7.2%) and France (4.7%). Germany (64K tons), Malaysia (58K tons), the United States (42K tons), Australia (40K tons) and South Africa (37K tons) took a minor share of total exports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of silicon. At the same time, France (+91.3%), Malaysia (+33.2%), the Netherlands (+9.1%) and Brazil (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, France emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +91.3% from 2013-2024. The United States, Germany, Norway and South Africa experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Australia (-2.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2024, the share of France, the Netherlands and Malaysia increased by +4.7, +4 and +3.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest silicon supplying countries worldwide were China ($1.9B), Germany ($1.3B) and the United States ($1.1B), with a combined 57% share of global exports. Norway, Brazil, Malaysia, the Netherlands, France, Australia and South Africa lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, France, with a CAGR of +64.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average silicon export price stood at $4,352 per ton in 2024, waning by -20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a slight slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 39%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $6,221 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($25,885 per ton), while China ($2,492 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+7.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.