Trending Now

US Intermodal Gains Momentum Amid Trucking Challenges

New Articles

Titanium Prices to Keep Elevated on Production Shortages and Rising Demand from the Paint and Aerospace Industries

titanium
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Titanium Prices to Keep Elevated on Production Shortages and Rising Demand from the Paint and Aerospace Industries

Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Titanium Ores and Concentrates – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

In the first half of 2021, prices for titanium and its derivatives shot up in response to rising demand and a drop in titanium mining last year, as well as titanium shaving stocks reduction. The rebound in the chemical and aerospace industries is a key driver for the rising demand for the metal. The potential use of titanium derivatives in alternative energy is set to stimulate further market expansion. Robust demand expectations are to keep prices elevated in the immediate term.

Key Trends and Insights

In 2021, the recovering demand from the downstream industries led to an increase in titanium prices. According to data from Asian Metal, the price for Chinese titanium sponge rose from a low of $6.9 per kg in July 2020 to $10.5 per kg in June 2021.

The prices of titanium scrap jumped in 2021 due to a drop in global stocks of shavings, a byproduct of aircraft manufacturing. According to IndexBox estimates, the average import price for titanium scrap increased from $2.9 per kg in January 2021 to $4.1 in April 2021. During this period, the import price for titanium dioxide increased from $2.6 to $3.2 per kg, while the import price for titanium fluctuated within the range of $11.3 – $14.7 per kg. Strong expectations of further market growth are expected to drive prices further in the medium term, at least until any new positive data on titanium mining will arrive.

According to IndexBox estimates based on USGS data, the global production of titanium ores and concentrates in 2020 decreased by 1.2% y-o-y to 13M tonnes. The 2020 lockdowns led to a drop in demand for titanium concentrates from stagnating chemical, metallurgical and aerospace industries. The pandemic-related mine closures were also a factor behind the production drop.

The growth in demand for titanium from the paint and varnish industries remains the main market driver. Titanium dioxide is one of the most sought-after pigments and fillers in the paint, coating and plastics industries. The demand for paints and varnishes is growing markedly due to the construction boom and the recovery of the automotive industry. The rising trend in the construction of super-large container ships will be relevant in the medium term and should sharpen the need for paints with titanium dioxide.

The reopening of air travel and water transport will increase the need for the renewal of aircraft fleets and will lead to a further increase in demand for titanium as it is the main metal used in their construction. One of the world’s largest airliner manufacturers, Airbus, has announced plans to expand production, expecting the demand for airliners to recover to pre-crisis levels within the next two years. According to quarterly reports for 2021, Boeing and Airbus increased aircraft deliveries in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2020, which indicates a recovery in demand.

The commercialization of technology for manufacturing semiconductor photocatalysts based on titanium dioxide, which are used for hydrogen fuel production, water and air purification, etc, may act as a new stimulus for the titanium market to develop. Industrial filters based on titanium dioxide neutralize organic gas emissions by converting them into carbon dioxide and water. This process could become a cheaper alternative to the traditional after-burning of factory off-gases. Titanium dioxide can be used in manufacturing solar cells and batteries. This technology could compete commercially with traditional silicon batteries if the efficiency of titanium dioxide batteries can be raised by up to 30%.

Global Titanium Ore Production by Country

In 2020, after two years of growth, there was a decline in the production of titanium ores and concentrates, when its volume decreased by -1.2% to 13M tonnes. In value terms, titanium ore and concentrate production shrank slightly to $7.8B in 2020 estimated in export prices.

The countries with the highest volumes of titanium ore and concentrate production in 2020 were China (4.2M tonnes), Canada (2.1M tonnes) and Mozambique (1M tonnes), with a combined 56% share of global production. These countries were followed by South Africa, Australia, Ukraine, Norway, Senegal, Madagascar, Kenya, South Korea, India and Viet Nam, which together accounted for a further 40%. Moreover, titanium ore and concentrate production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the world’s second-largest producer, Canada, twofold.

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of titanium ore and concentrate production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by Senegal, while titanium ore and concentrate production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Global Titanium Ore Exports by Country

In 2020, shipments abroad of titanium ores and concentrates decreased by -20.3% to 3.1M tonnes, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. In value terms, titanium ore and concentrate exports fell to $1.3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2020.

In 2020, South Africa (724K tonnes), Ukraine (539K tonnes), Senegal (509K tonnes), Kenya (400K tonnes), South Korea (275K tonnes) and India (255K tonnes) represented the key exporter of titanium ores and concentrates in the world, achieving 86% of total export. It was distantly followed by Australia (152K tonnes), committing a 4.8% share of total exports. The U.S. (58K tonnes) took a little share of total exports.

In value terms, South Africa ($486M) remains the largest titanium ore and concentrate supplier worldwide, comprising 38% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Kenya ($157M), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by Ukraine, with a 11% share.

In 2020, the average titanium ore and concentrate export price amounted to $408 per tonne, rising by 19% against the previous year. From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya, while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

furniture
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Vietnam Drives Out China from the American Wooden Kitchen Furniture Market

Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘U.S. – Wooden Furniture Of A Kind Used In The Kitchen – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

In 2020, American imports of wooden furniture for kitchens soared by +22% y-o-y to 52M units or $1.9B in value terms. Supplies from Vietnam and Malaysia offset the dramatic drop in imports from China after the tariffs on Chinese products increased. Among other countries, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand and Mexico saw the highest spikes in wooden kitchen furniture exports to the U.S. The average wooden kitchen furniture import price dropped by -18.1% against the previous year. 

American Imports of Wooden Kitchen Furniture by Country

In 2020, the amount of wooden furniture for kitchens imported into the U.S. surged to 52M units, increasing by 22% compared with 2019. In value terms, wooden kitchen furniture imports totaled $1.9B in 2020 (IndexBox estimates).

In 2020, Vietnam drove out China from the leading position in the American imports and became the largest exporter of wood kitchen furniture to the U.S. Over the last year, the supplies from Vietnam rose from $224M to $487M. Malaysia occupied second place in the list of top suppliers to America, boosting its exports to the U.S. from $148M in 2019 to $415M in 2020. Indonesia recorded the highest spike in kitchen furniture exports to the U.S. In 2020, Indonesia ramped up the supplies from $13M to $103M. Among other countries, Taiwan, Thailand and Mexico featured the most prominent export growths of kitchen furniture to the U.S. The purchases from China fall dramatically from $831M to $132M owing to raising tariffs on Chinese imports.

Vietnam (16M units), Malaysia (11M units) and Canada (6.1M units) were the main suppliers of wooden kitchen furniture imports to the U.S., with a combined 64% share of total imports. China, Indonesia, Mexico, Italy, Taiwan and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

In value terms, the largest wooden kitchen furniture suppliers to the U.S. were Vietnam ($487M), Malaysia ($415M) and Canada ($301M), together comprising 62% of total imports. China, Italy, Indonesia, Mexico, Thailand and Taiwan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

The average wooden kitchen furniture import price stood at $37 per unit in 2020, with a decrease of -18.1% against the previous year. Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Italy, while the price for Taiwan was amongst the lowest.

Source: IndexBox Platform

fireclay
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Soaring Construction Activities to Underscore the Global Fireclay Tiles Market Share

Leave a comment

Exponential demand for the production of tiles, ceramics, and firebricks from the construction sector will bolster the global fireclay tiles market volume. Fireclay tiles are highly sought-after owing to their ability to resist high temperatures and thermal and chemical stresses. These tiles are prevalently used for a slew of high-temperature applications, including commercial, residential, and other industrial manufacturing settings.

An upsurge in construction activities will bode well for industry players that are vying to expand their property development portfolios. Apart from the robust construction industry growth, expansion of the food industry will also boost the market share. Additionally, the ongoing trend for sourcing environmentally friendly materials will also contribute to the business outlook.

According to Global Market Insights, Inc., the fireclay tiles market will witness appreciable gains by 2027.

The global outlook faced hardships during the COVID-19 pandemic following severe supply chain disruptions. The outbreak created a plethora of short- and long-term business challenges that led to temporary shutdown or closure of construction projects. Meanwhile, a plunge in automotive production and modest growth in the food & beverage sector also dented the outlook.

However, given the fast-growing momentum of COVID-19 vaccination campaigns, construction activities have started picking up pace. Manufacturing and construction industries are expanding at a notable pace, underscoring the demand for fireclays tiles.

The demand for fireclays will be overtly noticeable in the residential settings, fueled by a surge in home renovation activities. Besides, the construction of outdoor spaces has witnessed a notable jump as patio professionals and landscape contractors are witnessing an increased demand from consumers. It is worth noting that homeowners have upped their focus on reconfiguring or updating both their indoor and outdoor spaces.

in the line of the rising number of infrastructural projects, the construction sector is poised to be a major recipient of fireclay tiles in coming years. Most notably, the construction of stadiums and other infrastructure projects would pan well for the business forecast. For instance, the launch of the Central 70 project in Colorado and the construction of Gordie Howe International Bridge in Detroit. Infrastructure development activities like these would add fuel to the fireclay tiles industry outlook.

The Middle East and Africa market will emerge as a promising region following the rollout of new economy-boosting construction projects. Prominently, the scheduled FIFA World Cup to be hosted by Qatar in 2022 has paved the way for the development of new infrastructure, which included the stadium, airport expansions, new metro lines, and hotels. Major dynamics driving the growth of fireclay tiles are increased availability of raw materials and technological innovations to develop better composites.

Stakeholders are also expected to inject funds into the Asia Pacific fireclays tiles market to capitalize on the demand from the expanding food & beverage sector in China and India. The trend of using environmentally friendly low thermal conductivity materials will bolster the demand for fireclay tiles in the food processing sector. Furthermore, emerging economies in the region are also likely to witness increasing demand for fireclay tiles in the construction of residential and commercial buildings.

The global fireclay tiles market is competitive with players such as Fireclay Tile Inc., Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti, Porcelanosa Grupo, Crossville Inc. (Curran Group, Inc.), Atlas Concorde, Mulia Industrindo, Mohawk Industries, and RAK Ceramics, among several others.

These companies will potentially focus on organic and inorganic strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, product launches, R&D, innovations, and partnerships. For instance, in September of 2020, RAK Ceramics announced the up-gradation of its manufacturing line in anticipation of a shifting trend towards bigger-sized ceramic floor tiles. The company is planning to upgrade and enhance its production lines and emphasize sustainability as well.

Notable rise in construction activities and the food & beverage industry will continue to underpin the fireclay tiles industry outlook in the next few years.

Enterprise Networking
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Enterprise Networking Market: Top Trends Reinforcing the Industry Forecast through 2024

Leave a comment

According to a recent study from market research firm Graphical Research, the global enterprise networking market size is poised to expand at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has been shaping the field of networking in various ways, including the emergence of completely remote offices and the development of advanced software solutions for better communication. Consequently, the demand for networking solutions across enterprises and businesses is slated to spiral throughout the world.

The top seven trends powering the enterprise networking industry outlook are as follows:

Expanding Demand for High-Speed Switches in North America

In terms of product, the North American enterprise networking market outlook has been bifurcated into network security, routers, switches, network management, and wireless. The demand for high-speed ethernet switches has been escalating in recent times in accordance with the growing utilization of network virtualization solutions.

During 2017, the market share from the switching segment accounted for more than 25% of the total regional industry. The forthcoming years are poised for considerable growth as the transformation of the enterprise network needs amid the pandemic has led to a higher preference for high-speed ethernet switches. With the proliferation of the 5G network, the demand will propagate further across the region.

North American Enterprises to Recalibrate their Cloud Strategies

Numerous businesses across the world, including those in North America, have been focusing on the recalibration of their cloud strategies as the workplace scenarios have been transforming due to the pandemic. In this scenario, virtual desktops, collaboration, and mobility are embracing the cloud deployment model for enabling a secure and distributed workforce.

The cloud model is increasingly being leveraged not just as an application destination but as a new enterprise management tool because it offers network insights efficiently. It ensures quick access to the latest features as well. This move toward the cloud deployment model is more than likely to stay afloat in the post-pandemic times.

Introduction of Native Cloud Management Platforms in Canada

By 2024, Canada is likely to emerge as one of the leading regional markets of the North American enterprise networking market. Advancing at a 6% CAGR, the regional segment has been registering a remarkable uptick in the volume of cloud service adoption by enterprises.

With the Canadian government utilizing cloud technology for responding to the growing necessity for IT services, private enterprises are turning to advanced cloud strategies. Numerous industry players have been expanding their product and service offerings. For instance, the cloud-based networking company, Extreme, announced the addition of a native cloud management platform located in Canada during December 2020, ensuring better data privacy and sovereignty for large enterprises.

Alarming Rise in Cyber Threats in the U.S.

The dramatic rise in the volume of cyber threats and cyber-attacks amidst the pandemic has been driving enterprises to adopt advanced networking solutions in the U.S. During 2017, the U.S. represented a staggering 70% of the total North America enterprise networking market share.

Clearly, cyberattacks rank as one of the fastest emerging crimes across the U.S., leading to major business disruptions. Recent surveys reveal that most enterprises are susceptible to data loss due to their poor cybersecurity practices and unprotected data. With growing concerns regarding better protection of data, the prospects for the enterprise networking industry in the U.S have improved.

Growing Adoption Across IT & Telecom in Asia

The Asia Pacific enterprise networking market size is slated to expand rapidly over the forecast years. The sector held a market share of more than 30% during 2017 and might make a significant headway by 2024. By 2024, the overall APAC industry share will have reached $20 billion.

The growth in the need for high bandwidth applications has been encouraging enterprises to switch to advanced enterprise networking solutions for addressing the current bandwidth shortage problems. As smartphones, laptops, and tablets become more commonplace with trends such as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device), the enterprises will see a higher adoption even in post-pandemic times.

Cybercriminals Capitalizing on COVID-19 fear in Japan

In Japan, cybercriminals have been capitalizing on the COVID-19-induced fear for luring victims into sophisticated traps, while hackers have been targeting victims via hoaxes and phishing emails. This will fuel the APAC enterprise networking market forecast.

As Japanese companies have been falling victim to unexpected cyberthreats and cyber-attacks, they have been striving to fortify their cybersecurity. In December 2020, the Japanese Ministry of Trade urged enterprises to exercise enhanced leadership with strengthened internal cybersecurity, as the frequency can worsen with the growth in telework.

Rising IoT devices across the Netherlands

The Netherlands enterprise network market is expected to accrue a considerable revenue by 2024, growing at a 10% CAGR through the analysis timeline. The support from government initiatives has been improving cybersecurity across enterprises.

Issues such as the rising phishing through text messaging, misuse of vulnerabilities in Dutch government’s servers, misuse of the ICT infrastructure, and large-scale distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks are urgently being addressed by enterprises to avoid losses that can have an impact beyond the financial aspects. The considerable addition of numerous IoT devices to the technological infrastructure in the region, promoted by the deployment of LPWAN technology has also been fostering networking growth.

sorghum
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Global Sorghum Production is Booming Due to Strong Demand in China

Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Sorghum – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

In 2021, global sorghum production will grow by 5%, boosted by growing supplies to China. Sorghum imports to the country are expected to rise by 28% compared to the previous year, driven by the increasing demand for animal feed. Prices will continue to rise in line with other cereals, following accelerated food inflation. The advantage of sorghum as a more drought-tolerant crop will allow this product to compete seriously with corn and will further stimulate market expansion.

Key Trends and Insights

In 2021, global sorghum production is expected to increase by 5% y-o-y to 61.2M tonnes, thanks to the expansion of cropland and expected favorable weather conditions. The largest crop gains are expected in Argentina (+30% y-o-y), where the crop area increased by 27% y-o-y, as well as in the U.S. (+14% y-o-y) and Mexico (+17%), which expanded sorghum fields by +14% y-o-yand 4% respectively.

Global sorghum exports are expected to grow by 23% y-o-y, primarily driven by China’s continued massive grain purchases for animal feed. According to USDA forecasts, imports to China will increase by 28% y-o-y by the end of 2021 due to the increased demand for animal feed.

In the context of strong demand, prices for sorghum are expected to rise alongside other rising grains. Global food inflation is accelerating due to rising demand for food and animal feed, as well as the increased ethanol and renewable fuel production. In the U.S., a leading producer country that supplies 74% of sorghum to the global export market, the season-average farm price per product increased from $103 per tonne in September 2020 to $155 per tonne in April 2021.

According to forecasts by IndexBox, the sorghum market will continue to grow during the next decade, primarily due to the growing demand for livestock feed worldwide. An increase in demand for gluten-free products in a growing population may be an additional stimulus for market development since sorghum is the main component in such products. Sorghum can compete with corn as an alternative and more drought-resistant crop, which in the context of global climate change is also becoming a stimulus for the development of the sorghum market.

Global Sorghum Production

Global sorghum production stood at 58M tonnes in 2020, therefore, remained relatively stable against 2019. In value terms, sorghum production skyrocketed to $30.5B in 2020 estimated in export prices.

The countries with the highest volumes of sorghum production in 2020 were the U.S. (8.4M tonnes), Nigeria (6.5M tonnes) and Ethiopia (5.6M tonnes), together comprising 35% of global production. From 2012 to 2020, the biggest increases were in Ethiopia, while sorghum production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Global Sorghum Imports

In 2020, purchases abroad of sorghum increased by 22% to 6.6M tonnes, rising for the second consecutive year after six years of decline. In value terms, sorghum imports skyrocketed to $1.6B (IndexBox estimates) in 2020.

China dominates sorghum import structure, reaching 4.8M tonnes, which was approx. 73% of total imports in 2020. It was distantly followed by Japan (382K tonnes), making up a 5.8% share of total imports. Mexico (232K tonnes) followed a long way behind the leaders.

In value terms, China ($1.2B) constitutes the largest market for imported sorghum worldwide, comprising 71% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Japan ($85M), with a 5.2% share of global imports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 4.4% share.

In 2020, the average sorghum import price amounted to $249 per tonne, approximately mirroring the previous year. Prices varied noticeably by the country of destination; the country with the highest price was Mexico ($313 per tonne), while Spain ($205 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

Source: IndexBox Platform

garlic
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Global Garlic Imports Surged But Record Chinese Exports Curb Price Growth

Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Garlic – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

Global garlic imports rose by 13% to 2.5M tonnes in 2020, boosted by the increased popularity of home cooking and a widespread reputation that the product helps to strengthen immunity. Indonesia remains the largest global importer, followed by Viet Nam and Malaysia. China dominates global garlic exports, supplying 89% of the total volume. Chinese manufacturers managed to ramp up exports which led to a drop in prices. 

Global Garlic Imports

In 2020, approx. 2.5M tonnes of garlic were imported worldwide; increasing by 13% compared with the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% from 2012 to 2020. In value terms, garlic imports totaled $3B (IndexBox estimates) in 2020.

In 2020, Indonesia (624K tonnes), distantly followed by Viet Nam (254K tonnes), Malaysia (118K tonnes) and Brazil (118K tonnes) represented the major importers of garlic, together making up 44% of total imports. The following importers – Bangladesh (103K tonnes), the U.S. (102K tonnes), Pakistan (101K tonnes), the Philippines (87K tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (70K tonnes), Russia (59K tonnes), Saudi Arabia (53K tonnes), the Netherlands (46K tonnes) and the UK (41K tonnes) – together made up 26% of total imports.

In value terms, Indonesia ($460M), Viet Nam ($305M) and the U.S. ($235M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2020, with a combined 33% share of global imports. Brazil, Malaysia, Pakistan, the UK, the Netherlands, Russia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Pakistan 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 global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

China dominates the global exports, supplying 89% of the total volume. Chinese garlic supplies hit record highs of near $2B which provides a solid base for the global surge in demand. The Indonesian market for imported garlic is almost entirely met by supplies from China.

The average garlic import price stood at $1,185 per tonne in 2020, falling by -7.1% against the previous year. From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the U.S., while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

rubber
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Rising Output to Calm Down a Price Rally on the Global Natural Rubber Market

Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Natural Rubber And Gums – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

In the beginning of 2021, demand for natural rubber spiked and prices for rubber increased due to a quick rebound in China’s tire manufacturing and the heightened need for latex gloves during the pandemic. Rubber production is projected to climb up this year in line with rising demand, slowing down the price growth. There is a risk that droughts in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia will create a supply shortage in the market and enable the prices to soar again.

Key Trends and Insights

According to the Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) and the Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB), global demand for natural rubber will grow by 7% y-o-y in 2021. This gain will be possible due to heightened demand from the rebounding rubber and tire industries as well as the increased need for latex gloves due to the pandemic. Production is projected to rise by 6% and balance out supply and demand and as a result, maintaining prices stability. At the same time, there is a risk that possible droughts in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia could prompt a decrease in rubber tree yield and threaten a shortfall in the market.

At the beginning of 2021, renewed demand from the rubber and tire industries in China caused prices for natural rubber to skyrocket. According to the World Bank, in May 2021 the average price for Rubber RSS3 reached $2.29 per kg, surpassing the 2020 yearly average of $1.73 per kg. The price for Rubber TSR20 rose to $1.69 per kg with a yearly average of $1.33 per kg in 2020.

Unlike in China, the U.S. is experiencing a slower recovery in the tire industry but the rebound will also bolster the global market for natural rubber. The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association predicts that as of year-end 2021, shipments of tires in the U.S. will grow by 4.1% in comparison to 2020 but their overall amount won’t reach 2019 levels.

High demand for latex gloves during the pandemic will be one of the key factors leading to expansion for the natural rubber market this year. In 2020, a shock in demand caused latex gloves and medical equipment exports from Malaysia to increase by 95.3%. As the pandemic winds down, this element will gradually recede into the background but should remain influential for at least another few years.

Global Natural Rubber Consumption

The global natural rubber and gum market rose sharply to $24.1B in 2020 (IndexBox estimates), increasing by 7.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, indirect taxes, intermediary margins, which will be included in the final consumer price).

The countries with the highest volumes of natural rubber and gum consumption in 2020 were Thailand (4.6M tonnes), Indonesia (3.5M tonnes) and China (1.4M tonnes), with a combined 60% share of global consumption. Malaysia, Viet Nam, India and Cote d’Ivoire lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2020, the most notable rate of growth in terms of natural rubber and gum consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Cote d’Ivoire, while natural rubber and gum consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Thailand ($6.1B), Indonesia ($5.2B) and China ($1.8B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2020, together accounting for 54% of the global market. Malaysia, India, Viet Nam and Cote d’Ivoire lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

The countries with the highest levels of natural rubber and gum per capita consumption in 2020 were Thailand (65 kg per person), Malaysia (38 kg per person) and Cote d’Ivoire (28 kg per person).

Global Natural Rubber Imports

In 2020, purchases abroad of natural rubber and gums decreased by -0.2% to 1.6M tonnes. In value terms, natural rubber and gum imports amounted to $1.8B in 2020.

Malaysia (701K tonnes) and China (570K tonnes) prevails in natural rubber and gum import structure, together constituting 77% of total imports. The following importers – the U.S. (37K tonnes) and the Netherlands (25K tonnes) – each finished at a 3.8% share of total imports.

In value terms, China ($634M), Malaysia ($629M) and the U.S. ($52M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2020, with a combined 75% share of the global imports.

Source: IndexBox Platform

Memory Polymer
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Will Increasing Application Across Aerospace Industry Boost Shape Memory Polymer Market Outlook?

Leave a comment

The shape memory polymer industry is set to record appreciable gains through the coming years in the Asia Pacific region. This rise is on account of the surging income level of consumers and the high economic growth in the APAC.

Besides, the expanding automotive sector in the Asia Pacific is a major driver enabling the expansion of the shape memory polymer business. India, China, Japan, and South Korea are some of the largest automotive manufacturing countries at the global level.

In addition to that, the proliferating expenditure on healthcare in the Asia Pacific is poised to impel the growth of the regional industry. Along with that, the shape memory polymer market is touted to expand a rise in research activities by various organizations and key shape memory polymer manufacturers.

To cite an instance, in April 2021, a team of researchers successfully showed that the addition of gold nanoparticle clusters to shape-memory polymers and subsequent stretching alters their plasmon-coupling traits. This enables them to have beneficial and different optical properties that impel usage in numerous applications.

Owing to these trends and as per the latest study by Global Market Insights, Inc., the shape memory polymer market size is anticipated to surpass USD 1 billion through 2027.

Prominent shape memory polymer manufacturers comprise SMP Technologies, Inc., Composite Technology Development, Inc., Dupont De Nemours, Inc., The Lubrizol Corporation, Asahi Kasei Corporation, Nanoshel LLC, Covestro AG, Cornerstone Research Group (CRG), EndoShape, Inc., and others.

Rising aerospace application demand – a key propellant of shape memory polymer industry growth

Shape memory polymers are used in the aerospace sector for the manufacturing of deployable structures comprising antennas, radars, support structures, and solar arrays. The product finds extensive application in the development of morphing structures for aircraft.

These structures are created so that the body of the aircraft can alter its shape as per external activation signals for lowering the usage of fuel, and enhancing speed, and maneuverability. In addition, shape memory polymers are also used in outer space applications.

Considering the above facts, a rise in the number of space exploration activities, overall escalation in the aircraft manufacturing sector, and increasing expenditure in the defense industry will augment the value of the shape memory polymer market through the estimated period.

Why will acrylic SMP materials account for a substantial industry share?

Acrylic SMP materials are expected to depict a CAGR of 24% through the analysis period. These materials are utilized for both commercial as well as research purposes.

Acrylic has multiple advantages comprising excellent weatherability, good optical clarity, and resistance to sunlight. The product has good impact strength and rigidity, which allows its usage for damping applications, along with good chemical resistance and dimensional stability.

Numerous acrylic shape memory polymer applications comprise a variety of uses across construction, healthcare, automotive, and aerospace industries. These polymers have also been utilized for manufacturing household goods.

In a nutshell, the increasing number of plausible shape memory polymer applications in the construction and biomedical industries will escalate shape memory polymer market growth through the forecasted period.

global buckwheat
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Russian Export Ban Could Lead to a Shortage on the Global Buckwheat Market

Leave a comment

IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘World – Buckwheat – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

In the immediate term, the global buckwheat market may face a shortage due to an export ban introduced in Russia. The country, being the largest producer and exporter of buckwheat, restricted exporting unprocessed buckwheat, coarsely ground buckwheat groats, and crushed buckwheat grain from June 5, 2021, to August 31. Russia took this step to preserve the volumes of the buckwheat grain for its domestic consumption and prevent a spike in prices inside the country. China, Latvia and Ukraine featured the most prominent increases in imports from Russia in 2021. 

Global Buckwheat Imports

In 2020, overseas purchases of buckwheat decreased by -4.4% to 174K tonnes, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. In general, total imports indicated notable growth from 2012 to 2020: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last eight years. In value terms, buckwheat imports skyrocketed to $112M in 2020.

In 2020, Ukraine (32K tonnes) and Japan (32K tonnes) represented the largest importers of buckwheat in the world, together recording approx. 37% of total imports.

In value terms, Japan ($23M), Ukraine ($15M) and Italy ($8.4M) were the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2020, together accounting for 41% of global imports.

In 2020, the average buckwheat import price amounted to $640 per tonne, growing by 23% against the previous year. There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2020, the country with the highest price was the U.S. ($929 per tonne), while Lithuania ($309 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

Buckwheat Exports from Russia

In 2020, shipments abroad of buckwheat decreased by -8.1% to 59K tonnes, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. In value terms, buckwheat exports surged to $29M in 2020.

Ukraine (16K tonnes), Latvia (12K tonnes) and China (6.8K tonnes) were the main destinations of buckwheat exports from Russia, together comprising 58% of total exports.

In value terms, Latvia ($6.9M), Ukraine ($6.3M) and Japan ($3.7M) appeared to be the largest markets for buckwheat exported from Russia worldwide, with a combined 59% share of total exports.

The average buckwheat export price stood at $489 per tonne in 2020, picking up by 67% against the previous year.

Source: IndexBox Platform

voice carrier
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News

Wholesale Voice Carrier Market: Top Trends Propelling the Industry Demand through 2026

Leave a comment

According to a recent study from market research firm Graphical Research, the global wholesale voice carrier market size is poised to expand at substantial CAGR during the forecast period. Thanks to the growing indispensability of smartphones worldwide, the global wholesale voice carrier industry outlook is expected to benefit from the massive voice over internet protocol (VoIP) demand. The market is expected to make a significant headway between 2020 and 2026 on account of the trending commercialization of 5G technology worldwide.

Due to the augmenting adoption of smartphones, VoIP traffic is growing. The utilization of mobile internet and data-intensive voice calling applications are responsible for the rising VoIP needs. As investments pour in across the global telecom industry, expansion of telecom infrastructure and networks is likely to foster opportunities for the global wholesale voice carrier market forecast.

CenturyLink, IDT Corporation, Vodafone Group Plc., Orange SA, Telefonica SA, Deutsche Telekom AG, BT Group Plc, Bharti Airtel Ltd., Sprint (T-Mobile), BCE Nexxia Corporation, and Alepo are some leading wholesale voice carrier companies in the international landscape. The following seven trends are accelerating the industry forecast:

Leased network demand in North America

The deployment of leased network infrastructure is growing across North America. In the highly competitive telecom industry, tier-2 and tier-3 providers have been leasing network capacities to a considerable extent from tier-1 operators. They have been doing so to benefit from the minimal cost of ownership to maximize profitability.

North America wholesale voice carrier market share from the leased network segment is anticipated to grow at a 10% CAGR up to 2026. The growth can be accredited to the growing need for a leased network in VoIP call termination in the region. Prominent telecom operators are leasing a part of their network for setting up voice termination facilities across emerging markets.

Transmission switching technology in North America

The wholesale voice carrier industry share from the transmission switching segment accounted for more than 50% of the total North American market during 2020 and is slated to expand further. The considerable dependence on traditional voice calls in the lesser developed North American regions is driving demand for the technology.

Rural areas face the challenge of limited wireless network availability. Since a large percentage of the rural population relies on traditional voice calls, the use of transmission switching is likely to expand through 2026. Several wholesale voice providers are offering minimal cost and time of installation, optimal life of switch, and unitized configurations.

Strategic partnerships by Canadian telecom enterprises

Canada’s wholesale voice carrier market size is expanding at a rapid pace, thanks to the growing 5G commercialization across the region. Canadian telecom operators are making the most of the partnership opportunities for delivering 5G services. They are focusing on diversifying their offerings through their strategic moves.

For instance, Telus Corporation announced its plan to partner with Huawei for launching a 5G network in Canada in February 2020. In compliance with the regulatory government standards, the partnership was fruitful in launching new, efficient solutions and devices. Thanks to the access to high-speed internet, enterprises can leverage IP-based telephony services.

Adoption of interconnect billing solutions in Asia Pacific

Interconnect billing solutions are gaining traction throughout Asia Pacific. The key reason these solutions are becoming mainstream is that telecom operators find convergent billing systems useful in accelerating digital transformation. The APAC industry share from the interconnect billing segment is slated to grow at a 10% CAGR through the assessment timeline. By 2026, the total APAC wholesale voice carrier market size is expected to surpass $7 billion.

Increasing telecom frauds in Asia

The alarming rise in fraud frequency across the regional telecom sector is influencing Asia Pacific wholesale voice carrier market. The requirement for fraud management solutions is growing due to this trend. As per the 2019 data published by Trend Micro, a Japan-based cybersecurity firm, the annual cost from telecommunications subscription frauds was estimated at $12 billion, equaling between 3% and 10% of the gross revenues of regional operators.

Asia Pacific wholesale voice carrier industry share from the fraud management segment is expected to rise at a 12% CAGR through 2026, promoted by the surging focus toward fraud prevention. In order to ensure a reduction in losses, the significance of these solutions is gaining popularity.

Growing subscriptions for VoIP services in Europe

The number of VoIP subscriptions are augmenting across European countries. The preference for VoIP-based calling is growing amongst regional subscribers due to the tendency to avoid the higher costs associated with traditional voice calls.

The industry share from the VoIP segment in the region will register around 13% CAGR through the next five years. VoIP-enabled wholesale voice carrier services provide enhanced technologies to telecom companies, simultaneously eliminating the unnecessary charges associated with roaming.

The gradual shift to voice termination in Europe

Europe wholesale voice carrier market size is slated to reach $11 billion by 2026, thanks to the presence of a robust commercial network infrastructure in the region. Since voice termination involves substantial routing costs and international call termination across multiple networks, wholesale voice providers can benefit from significant opportunities provided by this solution.

The region is seeing a shift from conventional voice and data services to more profitable and efficient solutions provided by regional wholesale voice termination service providers. Europe wholesale voice carrier market share from voice termination segment is expected to represent more than 70% of the total industry by 2026.