Vulcanised Cellular Rubber Articles Market

The global market for vulcanised cellular rubber articles for technical uses is expected to grow steadily over the next eight years, with a forecasted increase in both volume and value. China dominates both consumption and production in this industry, while the United States leads in imports and exports. The market has shown fluctuations in recent years, but overall trends indicate a positive growth trajectory. Key consuming countries include India, Japan, and the UK, with varying rates of growth in both consumption and production. Overall, the industry is set to see continued growth in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for vulcanised cellular rubber articles for technical uses worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 622K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Vulcanised Cellular Rubber Articles For Technical Uses

In 2022, consumption of vulcanised cellular rubber articles for technical uses decreased by -1.6% to 508K tons, falling for the second year in a row after five years of growth. Overall, the total consumption indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -7.6% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 550K tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global vulcanised cellular rubber articles market value was estimated at $4.8B in 2022, stabilizing at 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). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -5.3% against 2020 indices. Global consumption peaked at $5.1B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of vulcanised cellular rubber articles consumption was China (107K tons), accounting for 21% of total volume. Moreover, vulcanised cellular rubber articles consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (45K tons), twofold. India (45K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with an 8.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at +4.7%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+6.0% per year) and India (+5.3% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($1.2B), China ($612M) and the United States ($445M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 46% share of the global market. India, Germany, Italy, Indonesia, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, the UK, Thailand and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

Spain, with a CAGR of +10.6%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of vulcanised cellular rubber articles per capita consumption in 2022 were Germany (324 kg per 1000 persons), Italy (314 kg per 1000 persons) and Japan (278 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +16.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Vulcanised Cellular Rubber Articles For Technical Uses

In 2022, the amount of vulcanised cellular rubber articles for technical uses produced worldwide amounted to 507K tons, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the total production indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -6.5% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 25%. Global production peaked at 542K tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, vulcanised cellular rubber articles production expanded notably to $5.2B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production posted a notable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 28%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Production By Country

China (138K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of vulcanised cellular rubber articles production, accounting for 27% of total volume. Moreover, vulcanised cellular rubber articles production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (45K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Japan (34K tons), with a 6.6% share.

In China, vulcanised cellular rubber articles production expanded at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (+5.4% per year) and Japan (+6.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Vulcanised Cellular Rubber Articles For Technical Uses

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in overseas purchases of vulcanised cellular rubber articles for technical uses, when their volume decreased by -3.7% to 103K tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 14%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 107K tons, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In value terms, vulcanised cellular rubber articles imports totaled $918M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 16%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The United States was the largest importing country with an import of about 24K tons, which recorded 23% of total imports. Germany (4.1K tons), Saudi Arabia (3.6K tons), Mexico (3.5K tons), Italy (3.1K tons), the Netherlands (3K tons), Poland (2.9K tons), the UK (2.9K tons), South Korea (2.6K tons), Canada (2.3K tons), Brazil (2.3K tons), Vietnam (2.3K tons) and Argentina (2.2K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to vulcanised cellular rubber articles imports into the United States stood at +1.6%. At the same time, South Korea (+20.8%), the Netherlands (+14.8%), Saudi Arabia (+13.6%), Poland (+10.3%), the UK (+9.6%), Germany (+8.6%), Argentina (+6.8%) and Italy (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +20.8% from 2012-2022. Vietnam experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Brazil (-2.4%), Canada (-5.1%) and Mexico (-8.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Saudi Arabia (+2.1 p.p.), South Korea (+2 p.p.), the Netherlands (+1.9 p.p.) and Germany (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Brazil, Canada, the United States and Mexico saw its share reduced by -1.8%, -3.1%, -4.5% and -8.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($220M) constitutes the largest market for imported vulcanised cellular rubber articles for technical uses worldwide, comprising 24% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($44M), with a 4.8% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 4.4% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States amounted to -1.6%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mexico (-2.9% per year) and Germany (+9.0% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average vulcanised cellular rubber articles import price stood at $8,891 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 4.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a mild descent. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $10,552 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($14,204 per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($3,721 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+6.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Vulcanised Cellular Rubber Articles For Technical Uses

In 2022, approx. 102K tons of vulcanised cellular rubber articles for technical uses were exported worldwide; rising by 8.9% against 2021 figures. Overall, total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% 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 +41.4% against 2014 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 13%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, vulcanised cellular rubber articles exports reached $932M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 21%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

China was the key exporting country with an export of about 32K tons, which reached 31% of total exports. The United States (10K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 10% share, followed by the United Arab Emirates (6.6%), Canada (5.9%) and Italy (4.7%). The following exporters - Mexico (4.3K tons), South Korea (3.8K tons), Spain (3.4K tons), Turkey (3.4K tons), the Netherlands (3.1K tons), Germany (2.9K tons), Brazil (2.4K tons) and Poland (2.3K tons) - together made up 25% of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +6.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+24.8%), Mexico (+21.0%), the Netherlands (+19.8%), the United States (+18.3%), Poland (+17.9%), Germany (+13.5%), Turkey (+12.5%), Canada (+4.2%) and Brazil (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +24.8% from 2012-2022. Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Italy (-2.2%) and South Korea (-3.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United States (+7 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+5.4 p.p.), China (+4.1 p.p.), Mexico (+3.2 p.p.), the Netherlands (+2.2 p.p.), Turkey (+1.6 p.p.) and Poland (+1.5 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Spain, South Korea and Italy saw its share reduced by -2.6%, -5% and -5.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($268M) remains the largest vulcanised cellular rubber articles supplier worldwide, comprising 29% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($90M), with a 9.6% share of global exports. It was followed by Canada, with an 8% share.

In China, vulcanised cellular rubber articles exports expanded at an average annual rate of +12.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-2.3% per year) and Canada (-5.8% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average vulcanised cellular rubber articles export price stood at $9,095 per ton in 2022, falling by -2.9% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a pronounced decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average export price increased by 10%. The global export price peaked at $11,174 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($21,437 per ton), while the United Arab Emirates ($3,404 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform