EU: Market for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles 2024

Market Size for Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in the EU

The EU market for refractory bricks, blocks and tiles surged to $X in 2023, picking up by X% against the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Production of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles in the EU

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles production reduced slightly to $X in 2023 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Exports in the EU

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles decreased by X% to X tons in 2023. In general, exports showed a perceptible contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by X%. The volume of export peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2023, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports stood at $X in 2023. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports reached the peak figure in 2023 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2023, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by Spain (X tons), Austria (X tons), France (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Poland (X tons) represented the major exporters of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles, together constituting X% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2023, average annual rates of growth with regard to refractory bricks, blocks and tiles exports from Germany stood at X%. At the same time, Spain (X%) and the Netherlands (X%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Spain emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of X% from 2012-2023. The Czech Republic experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Italy (X%), Poland (X%), Austria (X%) and France (X%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Spain (X p.p.), the Netherlands (X p.p.) and the Czech Republic (X p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total exports from 2012-2023, the share of Austria (X p.p.), France (X p.p.) and Germany (X p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the largest refractory bricks, blocks and tiles supplier in the European Union, comprising X% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Italy ($X), with a X% share of total exports. It was followed by Austria, with a X% share.

From 2012 to 2023, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Germany was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (X% per year) and Austria (X% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2023, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, rising by X% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Italy ($X per ton), while the Czech Republic ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Refractory Bricks, Blocks and Tiles

Imports in the EU

In 2023, purchases abroad of refractory bricks, blocks and tiles decreased by X% to X tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, imports saw a mild descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by X%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2022, and then reduced rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, refractory bricks, blocks and tiles imports fell to $X in 2023. Total imports indicated a mild expansion from 2012 to 2023: its value increased at an average annual rate of X% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2023 figures, imports increased by X% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by X%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2022, and then declined in the following year.

Imports by Country

Germany (X tons), Italy (X tons) and France (X tons) represented roughly X% of total imports in 2023. Belgium (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Austria (X tons), Portugal (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons) and Poland (X tons). All these countries together took near X% share of total imports. Spain (X tons), Finland (X tons), Sweden (X tons) and Slovenia (X tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Portugal (with a CAGR of X%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), Italy ($X) and France ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2023, together comprising X% of total imports. Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Finland and Slovenia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further X%.

Slovenia, with a CAGR of X%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2023, rising by X% against the previous year. Over the last eleven years, it increased at an average annual rate of X%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2023, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($X per ton), while Portugal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (X%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform