Polymer Ion-Exchangers Market

The global market for ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms is expected to grow further, with an increase in consumption and market value. Germany, the United States, and Russia are the top consumers in 2022. China leads in production volume, while the United States, China, and Germany are key importers. In terms of exports, China is the major player, followed by India and the United States. Prices have seen an overall increase over the years, with noticeable fluctuations in certain periods.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 308K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Ion-Exchangers Based On Synthetic Or Natural Polymers In Primary Forms

In 2022, consumption of ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms increased by 1.6% to 264K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the consumption volume increased by 7%. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 266K tons. From 2019 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global polymer ion-exchangers market value reduced to $1.6B 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). Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the market value increased by 9.4%. Over the period under review, the global market attained the peak level at $1.6B in 2021, and then declined slightly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Germany (52K tons), the United States (40K tons) and Russia (11K tons), together comprising 39% of global consumption. Poland, Turkey, the UK, Thailand, Mexico, Malaysia, Japan, Belarus, Indonesia and Mozambique lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Mozambique (with a CAGR of +150.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest polymer ion-exchangers markets worldwide were the United States ($271M), Germany ($268M) and Russia ($37M), together accounting for 36% of the global market. Japan, the UK, Belarus, Mexico, Poland, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Turkey and Mozambique lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 15%.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of +142.1%, 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 polymer ion-exchangers per capita consumption in 2022 were Germany (628 kg per 1000 persons), Belarus (593 kg per 1000 persons) and Poland (200 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 Mozambique (with a CAGR of +143.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Ion-Exchangers Based On Synthetic Or Natural Polymers In Primary Forms

In 2022, global polymer ion-exchangers production shrank to 226K tons, which is down by -6.8% on the previous year. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 13%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 242K tons, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, polymer ion-exchangers production declined significantly to $1.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a noticeable expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 90%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $1.4B, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of polymer ion-exchangers production was China (127K tons), comprising approx. 56% of total volume. Moreover, polymer ion-exchangers production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Germany (34K tons), fourfold. India (24K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

In China, polymer ion-exchangers production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Germany (-1.9% per year) and India (+0.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Ion-Exchangers Based On Synthetic Or Natural Polymers In Primary Forms

In 2022, global imports of ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms rose notably to 334K tons, picking up by 10% on the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, polymer ion-exchangers imports expanded notably to $2.5B in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +87.7% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 21%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (64K tons), distantly followed by China (20K tons) and Germany (19K tons) were the key importers of ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms, together committing 31% of total imports. South Korea (15K tons), Russia (13K tons), Japan (11K tons), Italy (11K tons), Canada (9.2K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (8.4K tons), France (8.4K tons), Poland (8.4K tons), the UK (8.2K tons) and Turkey (7.7K tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Poland (+10.2%), Turkey (+6.1%), Taiwan (Chinese) (+6.0%), China (+5.4%), Japan (+4.3%), South Korea (+3.8%), Germany (+3.3%), Russia (+2.2%) and Italy (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Poland emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +10.2% from 2012-2022. Canada and the UK experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-2.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United States (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while France saw its share reduced by -2.1% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest polymer ion-exchangers importing markets worldwide were the United States ($438M), China ($257M) and Germany ($149M), together comprising 34% of global imports. South Korea, Canada, Japan, France, Taiwan (Chinese), Italy, Russia, the UK, Poland and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 23%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +12.4%, recorded 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.

Import Prices By Country

The average polymer ion-exchangers import price stood at $7,443 per ton in 2022, waning by -4.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 an increase of 11% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $7,772 per ton in 2021, and then declined in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($12,987 per ton), while Turkey ($2,782 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Ion-Exchangers Based On Synthetic Or Natural Polymers In Primary Forms

In 2022, approx. 296K tons of ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms were exported worldwide; growing by 3.5% against the previous year. Overall, total exports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% 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 +55.7% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, polymer ion-exchangers exports rose sharply to $2.1B in 2022. In general, exports posted a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 38%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

China was the major exporter of ion-exchangers based on synthetic or natural polymers in primary forms in the world, with the volume of exports reaching 143K tons, which was approx. 48% of total exports in 2022. India (29K tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by the United States (24K tons), France (18K tons) and Italy (15K tons). All these countries together held near 29% share of total exports. South Korea (12K tons), Romania (11K tons), Canada (9.3K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (6K tons) and Japan (5.4K tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to polymer ion-exchangers exports from China stood at +6.7%. At the same time, South Korea (+19.5%), Canada (+10.9%), France (+6.1%) and India (+5.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +19.5% from 2012-2022. Italy, Japan and the United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Taiwan (Chinese) (-1.3%) and Romania (-1.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China, France and South Korea increased by +8.2, +6 and +2.9 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($352M), the United States ($293M) and France ($188M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together comprising 39% of global exports. Japan, Romania, India, Italy, South Korea, Canada and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 22%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, South Korea, with a CAGR of +13.2%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average polymer ion-exchangers export price stood at $7,156 per ton in 2022, picking up by 3.8% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 17%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($21,437 per ton), while China ($2,461 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+7.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform