IndexBox has just published a new report: ‘EU – Glass Fibres And Glass Wool – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights’. Here is a summary of the report’s key findings.

In 2019, the EU glass fibres and wool market increased by 0.3% to $2.3B, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2013 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years.

Consumption by Country

The countries with the highest volumes of glass fibres and wool consumption in 2019 were the UK (255K tonnes), Belgium (131K tonnes) and Germany (128K tonnes), together comprising 56% of total consumption.

From 2013 to 2019, the biggest increases were in Belgium, while glass fibres and wool consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest glass fibres and wool markets in the European Union were Germany ($550M), the UK ($349M) and Belgium ($224M), together comprising 50% of the total market.

In 2019, the highest levels of glass fibres and wool per capita consumption was registered in Belgium (11 kg per person), followed by Denmark (5.06 kg per person), the UK (3.78 kg per person) and Germany (1.56 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of glass fibres and wool was estimated at 1.80 kg per person.

Production in the EU

In 2019, the amount of glass fibres and glass wool produced in the European Union reached 923K tonnes, rising by 4.3% compared with the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2013 to 2019; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, production hit record highs in 2019 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports in the EU

In 2019, the amount of glass fibres and glass wool exported in the European Union expanded modestly to 254K tonnes, growing by 2.5% against 2018 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the period from 2013 to 2019. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. In value terms, glass fibres and wool exports contracted slightly to $997M (IndexBox estimates) in 2019.

Exports by Country

The shipments of the three major exporters of glass fibres and glass wool, namely Germany, Belgium and Spain, represented more than half of total export. It was distantly followed by Sweden (14K tonnes), making up a 5.5% share of total exports. The following exporters – Lithuania (11K tonnes), the UK (11K tonnes), France (10K tonnes), Denmark (9.2K tonnes) and Italy (9.1K tonnes) – each accounted for a 20% share of total exports.

From 2013 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by Lithuania (+163.2% per year), while exports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($313M) remains the largest glass fibres and wool supplier in the European Union, comprising 31% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was occupied by Spain ($110M), with an 11% share of total exports. It was followed by Denmark, with an 8.6% share.

Export Prices by Country

In 2019, the glass fibres and wool export price in the European Union amounted to $3,931 per tonne, shrinking by -4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a mild setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 when the export price increased by 17% y-o-y. As a result, export price attained the peak level of $4,614 per tonne. From 2017 to 2019, the growth in terms of the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin; the country with the highest price was Denmark ($9,270 per tonne), while Belgium ($1,359 per tonne) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2019, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany, while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox AI Platform