Propellant Powders Market

The article discusses the rising demand for propellant powders globally, with a forecasted increase in market volume and value over the next eight years. China dominates in both consumption and production, while the United States leads in imports and exports. The report includes insights on consumption patterns, production trends, import and export figures, as well as per capita consumption rates in various countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for propellant powders worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +4.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 446K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +7.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $10.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Propellant Powders

In 2022, global propellant powders consumption reached 304K tons, surging by 5.2% compared with 2021 figures. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the peak volume at 387K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global propellant powders market value amounted to $5.7B in 2022, remaining stable 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, consumption, however, saw a mild downturn. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $7.8B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of propellant powders consumption was China (71K tons), comprising approx. 23% of total volume. Moreover, propellant powders consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (29K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United States (17K tons), with a 5.7% share.

In China, propellant powders consumption increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: India (+3.8% per year) and the United States (+0.2% per year).

In value terms, China ($1.5B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($388M). It was followed by Pakistan.

In China, the propellant powders market increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-0.4% per year) and Pakistan (-2.2% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of propellant powders per capita consumption was registered in the Czech Republic (1,206 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Germany (137 kg per 1000 persons), South Korea (94 kg per 1000 persons) and Turkey (91 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of propellant powders was estimated at 38 kg per 1000 persons.

In the Czech Republic, propellant powders per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +24.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (-3.0% per year) and South Korea (-2.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Propellant Powders

In 2022, global production of propellant powders stood at 285K tons, stabilizing at the previous year. Overall, production, however, showed a slight reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 22%. Global production peaked at 384K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, propellant powders production shrank slightly to $5.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak level at $7.6B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (71K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of propellant powders production, accounting for 25% of total volume. Moreover, propellant powders production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (29K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (18K tons), with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at +4.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+4.0% per year) and the United States (-0.3% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Propellant Powders

In 2022, the amount of propellant powders imported worldwide surged to 38K tons, increasing by 56% against 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% 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 +110.4% against 2019 indices. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, propellant powders imports expanded remarkably to $506M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 31%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The Czech Republic was the main importing country with an import of around 13K tons, which recorded 33% of total imports. Algeria (4.7K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 12% share, followed by the United States (10%) and Italy (4.9%). France (1,368 tons), Germany (1,238 tons), the UK (1,112 tons), Chile (1,042 tons), South Korea (922 tons), Spain (918 tons), Japan (704 tons) and Israel (676 tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to propellant powders imports into the Czech Republic stood at +34.1%. At the same time, Algeria (+66.3%), Chile (+60.8%), Spain (+15.0%), France (+7.4%), Israel (+7.0%), Japan (+6.6%), South Korea (+5.6%), the UK (+4.1%), Italy (+2.9%) and the United States (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Algeria emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +66.3% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Germany (-2.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the Czech Republic (+30 p.p.), Algeria (+12 p.p.), Chile (+2.7 p.p.) and Spain (+2.4 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of Italy (-2.8 p.p.), Germany (-5.5 p.p.) and the United States (-9 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($100M) constitutes the largest market for imported propellant powders worldwide, comprising 20% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($41M), with an 8.2% share of global imports. It was followed by Italy, with a 6.2% share.

In the United States, propellant powders imports increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (+4.5% per year) and Italy (+5.5% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average propellant powders import price stood at $13,396 per ton in 2022, which is down by -31.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price showed a noticeable decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 8.3% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $21,699 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($30,299 per ton), while Algeria ($1,546 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Chile (+3.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Propellant Powders

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was decline in overseas shipments of propellant powders, when their volume decreased by -0.2% to 19K tons. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% 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 2021 with an increase of 34%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 19K tons, leveling off in the following year.

In value terms, propellant powders exports contracted to $440M in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% 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 +58.1% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 52%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $450M, and then fell slightly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, the United States (4.5K tons), distantly followed by France (2.7K tons), Canada (2.5K tons), Belgium (2.2K tons), Switzerland (1.6K tons) and Serbia (1.1K tons) were the key exporters of propellant powders, together achieving 78% of total exports. The following exporters - China (654 tons), Finland (633 tons), the Czech Republic (630 tons), Australia (470 tons) and Italy (448 tons) - together made up 15% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +27.2%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($98M), Canada ($67M) and France ($52M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 49% share of global exports. Switzerland, Belgium, Serbia, Finland, the Czech Republic, China, Italy and Australia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 44%.

Serbia, with a CAGR of +14.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average propellant powders export price amounted to $23,411 per ton, falling by -2.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $23,924 per ton, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($35,247 per ton), while Belgium ($19,354 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+5.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform