Ireland: Silicone Market Overview 2021

Silicone Market Size in Ireland

In 2020, the Irish silicone market decreased by -X% to $X, falling for the fifth year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, consumption, however, posted a pronounced expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2012 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Silicone consumption peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2020, consumption failed to regain the momentum.

Silicone Exports

Exports from Ireland

In 2020, exports of silicones (in primary forms) from Ireland skyrocketed to X tonnes, picking up by X% compared with 2019 figures. In general, exports showed a moderate increase. As a result, exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, silicone exports surged to $X in 2020. Overall, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2010 with an increase of X% against the previous year. Exports peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2020, exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

The UK (X tonnes) was the main destination for silicone exports from Ireland, with a X% share of total exports. Moreover, silicone exports to the UK exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the U.S. (X tonnes), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was occupied by Brazil (X tonnes), with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of volume to the UK amounted to +X%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the U.S. (+X% per year) and Brazil (-X% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X), the U.S. ($X) and Brazil ($X) constituted the largest markets for silicone exported from Ireland worldwide, with a combined X% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Argentina and Malaysia, which together accounted for a further X (+X% per year) saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2020, the average silicone export price amounted to $X per tonne, with a decrease of -X% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a noticeable setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2011 an increase of X% year-to-year. The export price peaked at $X per tonne in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2020, export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Ethiopia ($X per tonne), while the average price for exports to Malaysia ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Mozambique, while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Silicone Imports

Imports into Ireland

After four years of decline, overseas purchases of silicones (in primary forms) increased by X% to X tonnes in 2020. Over the period under review, imports posted a moderate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2012 when imports increased by X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at X tonnes in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2020, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, silicone imports reduced slightly to $X in 2020. Overall, imports showed a mild expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of X% y-o-y. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2020, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2020, the UK (X tonnes) constituted the largest supplier of silicone to Ireland, accounting for a X% share of total imports. Moreover, silicone imports from the UK exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Germany (X tonnes), fourfold. Belgium (X tonnes) ranked third in terms of total imports with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from the UK stood at +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+X% per year) and Belgium (+X% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($X) constituted the largest supplier of silicone to Ireland, comprising X% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the UK ($X), with a X% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a X% share.

From 2007 to 2020, the average annual growth rate of value from Japan stood at +X%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (-X% per year) and Germany (+X% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2020, the average silicone import price amounted to $X per tonne, declining by -X% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a pronounced decrease. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 an increase of X% y-o-y. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per tonne. From 2014 to 2020, the growth in terms of the average import prices failed to regain the momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per tonne), while the price for Belgium ($X per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2007 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan, while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :

What are the largest markets for silicones (in primary forms) in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of silicone consumption in 2020 were China (619K tonnes), Germany (379K tonnes) and the U.S. (251K tonnes), together accounting for 44% of global consumption. India, Japan, Turkey, Indonesia, Belgium, the UK, Brazil, South Korea, France and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

What are the largest producers of silicones (in primary forms) in the world?

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The countries with the highest volumes of silicone production in 2020 were China (725K tonnes), Germany (520K tonnes) and the U.S. (308K tonnes), with a combined 56% share of global production. Japan, India, the UK, Turkey, Indonesia, France, Thailand and Brazil lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

What are the leading suppliers of silicones (in primary forms) to Ireland?

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In value terms, Japan ($19M) constituted the largest supplier of silicone to Ireland, comprising 58% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by the UK ($4.4M), with a 13% share of total imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 12% share.

What are the leading importers of silicones (in primary forms) from Ireland?

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In value terms, the UK ($1.9M), the U.S. ($1.5M) and Brazil ($530K) constituted the largest markets for silicone exported from Ireland worldwide, together comprising 67% of total exports. Mozambique, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Argentina and Malaysia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 13%.

What is the average export price for silicones (in primary forms) in Ireland?

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In 2020, the average silicone export price amounted to $5,455 per tonne, which is down by -23.8% against the previous year.

What is the average import price for silicones (in primary forms) in Ireland?

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In 2020, the average silicone import price amounted to $5,895 per tonne, shrinking by -8.2% against the previous year.