Artificial and Colloidal Graphite Market

The article provides a detailed analysis of the global artificial and colloidal graphite market, highlighting trends in consumption, production, and import/export data. Projections for market growth rates and value from 2022 to 2030 are also presented. Key findings include a forecasted CAGR of +2.3% in consumption volume, reaching 4M tons by 2030, and a projected market value of $10.5B by the same year. The top consuming and producing countries, as well as trends in type-specific exports and pricing, are also discussed.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for artificial graphite, colloidal, semi-colloidal graphite and preparations worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $10.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Artificial Graphite, Colloidal, Semi-Colloidal Graphite and Preparations

After three years of growth, consumption of artificial graphite, colloidal, semi-colloidal graphite and preparations decreased by -0.4% to 3.3M tons in 2022. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked at 3.3M tons in 2021, and then fell in the following year.

The global artificial and colloidal graphite market size expanded notably to $7.7B in 2022, increasing by 8.4% against 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, the total consumption indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +37.0% against 2015 indices. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Malaysia (552K tons), the United States (411K tons) and China (317K tons), together accounting for 38% of global consumption. India, Indonesia, Japan, Brazil, Russia, Poland, Nigeria, Germany, Mexico and Vietnam lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +26.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($2B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Malaysia ($586M). It was followed by Vietnam.

In the United States, the artificial and colloidal graphite market increased at an average annual rate of +8.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Malaysia (+19.3% per year) and Vietnam (+9.1% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of artificial and colloidal graphite per capita consumption was registered in Malaysia (17 kg per person), followed by Poland (2 kg per person), the United States (1.2 kg per person) and Germany (0.8 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of artificial and colloidal graphite was estimated at 0.4 kg per person.

In Malaysia, artificial and colloidal graphite per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +16.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Poland (+13.1% per year) and the United States (+8.2% per year).

Production

World Production of Artificial Graphite, Colloidal, Semi-Colloidal Graphite and Preparations

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in production of artificial graphite, colloidal, semi-colloidal graphite and preparations, when its volume decreased by -3.6% to 2.8M tons. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 3M tons in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, artificial and colloidal graphite production rose to $7.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, the total production indicated temperate growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -1.8% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 27%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $7.2B. From 2021 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (1.1M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of artificial and colloidal graphite production, accounting for 37% of total volume. Moreover, artificial and colloidal graphite production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (287K tons), fourfold. India (162K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.7% share.

In China, artificial and colloidal graphite production increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (+17.4% per year) and India (+0.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Artificial Graphite, Colloidal, Semi-Colloidal Graphite and Preparations

Global artificial and colloidal graphite imports expanded significantly to 2.1M tons in 2022, increasing by 9.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% 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 +43.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 31% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

In value terms, artificial and colloidal graphite imports skyrocketed to $4.6B in 2022. In general, imports posted a buoyant expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 37%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

Malaysia represented the main importer of artificial graphite, colloidal, semi-colloidal graphite and preparations in the world, with the volume of imports resulting at 599K tons, which was approx. 29% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Indonesia (205K tons) and the United States (166K tons), together generating an 18% share of total imports. Japan (92K tons), Germany (85K tons), South Korea (84K tons), Poland (79K tons), India (78K tons), China (53K tons), France (43K tons), Thailand (42K tons), Turkey (36K tons) and Hungary (35K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into Malaysia increased at an average annual rate of +18.9% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Hungary (+38.5%), Indonesia (+25.7%), Thailand (+16.4%), Turkey (+12.7%), India (+11.4%), Poland (+7.8%), China (+4.8%), South Korea (+2.6%) and Germany (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Hungary emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +38.5% from 2012-2022. The United States experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-2.2%) and Japan (-2.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Malaysia, Indonesia, Hungary and India increased by +20, +8.3, +1.6 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Malaysia ($670M), the United States ($627M) and Poland ($490M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 39% share of global imports. China, South Korea, Hungary, Germany, Indonesia, India, Japan, France, Turkey and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 42%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Hungary, with a CAGR of +40.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

Artificial graphite represented the main type of artificial graphite, colloidal, semi-colloidal graphite and preparations in the world, with the volume of imports recording 1.3M tons, which was near 62% of total imports in 2022. Carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings (485K tons) took a 24% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by graphite or other carbon based preparations in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures (13%).

Artificial graphite was also the fastest-growing in terms of imports, with a CAGR of +8.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings (+3.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Graphite or other carbon based preparations in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of artificial graphite increased by +13 percentage points.

In value terms, artificial graphite ($3.2B) constitutes the largest type of artificial graphite, colloidal, semi-colloidal graphite and preparations imported worldwide, comprising 69% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by graphite or other carbon based preparations in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures ($794M), with a 17% share of global imports. It was followed by carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of artificial graphite imports totaled +9.1%. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: graphite or other carbon based preparations in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures (+3.5% per year) and carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings (+6.7% per year).

Import Prices By Type

The average artificial and colloidal graphite import price stood at $2,227 per ton in 2022, surging by 19% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 37%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite ($3,169 per ton), while the price for carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings ($1,119 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings (+3.0%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average artificial and colloidal graphite import price stood at $2,227 per ton in 2022, rising by 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Hungary ($8,296 per ton), while Indonesia ($995 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+17.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Artificial Graphite, Colloidal, Semi-Colloidal Graphite and Preparations

In 2022, overseas shipments of artificial graphite, colloidal, semi-colloidal graphite and preparations increased by 5.6% to 1.6M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, total exports indicated a buoyant increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% 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 +41.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when exports increased by 38% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, artificial and colloidal graphite exports skyrocketed to $4.1B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a strong increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 50%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

China dominates exports structure, finishing at 802K tons, which was approx. 51% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Germany (106K tons), constituting a 6.8% share of total exports. The following exporters - Norway (67K tons), Russia (61K tons), Malaysia (47K tons), Spain (44K tons), South Korea (43K tons), the United States (41K tons), France (41K tons), Brazil (34K tons), Japan (32K tons), India (30K tons) and Poland (29K tons) - together made up 30% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to artificial and colloidal graphite exports from China stood at +7.3%. At the same time, South Korea (+47.6%), Malaysia (+26.5%), Spain (+12.7%), Brazil (+10.8%), Russia (+10.2%), Norway (+2.3%), Germany (+2.3%) and India (+2.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +47.6% from 2012-2022. Poland and France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Japan (-2.6%) and the United States (-3.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+9.6 p.p.), South Korea (+2.6 p.p.) and Malaysia (+2.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of France (-1.5 p.p.), Germany (-2.1 p.p.), Japan (-2.3 p.p.) and the United States (-3.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($2B) remains the largest artificial and colloidal graphite supplier worldwide, comprising 49% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($293M), with a 7.1% share of global exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 6.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China totaled +18.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (+51.2% per year) and Japan (-3.8% per year).

Exports By Type

Artificial graphite was the largest exported product with an export of about 833K tons, which accounted for 52% of total exports. Carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings (476K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 30% share, followed by graphite or other carbon based preparations in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures (18%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite (with a CAGR of +7.0%), while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, artificial graphite ($2.5B) remains the largest type of artificial graphite, colloidal, semi-colloidal graphite and preparations supplied worldwide, comprising 60% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by graphite or other carbon based preparations in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures ($1B), with a 25% share of global exports. It was followed by carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the value of artificial graphite exports totaled +8.4%. With regard to the other exported products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: graphite or other carbon based preparations in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures (+9.2% per year) and carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings (+6.9% per year).

Export Prices By Type

The average artificial and colloidal graphite export price stood at $2,629 per ton in 2022, growing by 21% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 31%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was colloidal or semi-colloidal graphite ($3,901 per ton), while the average price for exports of carbonaceous pastes for electrodes and furnace linings ($1,131 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by graphite or other carbon based preparations in the form of pastes, blocks, plates or other semi-manufactures (+3.5%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average artificial and colloidal graphite export price stood at $2,629 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 21% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +3.1%. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 31%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Japan ($7,741 per ton), while Russia ($453 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+10.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform