Silicon-Electrical Steel Flat-Rolled Product Market

The global market for flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel is expected to continue growing over the next eight years, driven by increasing demand worldwide. Market performance is forecasted to expand with an anticipated CAGR of 3.9% in volume and 6.1% in value from 2022 to 2030, reaching 32M tons and $55.3B respectively by 2030. China leads both consumption and production, with significant growth rates over the past decade. Imports and exports are also on the rise, with diverse trends among different countries and product types. Prices have shown noticeable fluctuations, with variations in average prices amongst major importing and exporting countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel 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 +3.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 32M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $55.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Flat-Rolled Products Of Silicon-Electrical Steel

In 2022, after ten years of growth, there was decline in consumption of flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel, when its volume decreased by -2.9% to 23M tons. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% 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 +80.1% against 2012 indices. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the maximum volume at 24M tons in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

The global silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product market size contracted to $34.5B in 2022, dropping by -5.5% 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). In general, consumption, however, saw a strong increase. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $36.5B, and then contracted in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (16M tons) remains the largest silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product consuming country worldwide, comprising approx. 69% of total volume. Moreover, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Kazakhstan (1.5M tons), more than tenfold. India (833K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 3.6% share.

In China, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +9.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Kazakhstan (+18.1% per year) and India (+2.4% per year).

In value terms, China ($20.7B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Kazakhstan ($3.9B). It was followed by India.

In China, the silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product market increased at an average annual rate of +11.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Kazakhstan (+18.4% per year) and India (+4.5% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product per capita consumption was registered in Kazakhstan (76 kg per person), followed by China (11 kg per person), Italy (11 kg per person) and Japan (5.1 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product was estimated at 3 kg per person.

In Kazakhstan, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +16.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: China (+8.8% per year) and Italy (+5.2% per year).

Production

World Production of Flat-Rolled Products Of Silicon-Electrical Steel

In 2022, after ten years of growth, there was decline in production of flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel, when its volume decreased by -4.3% to 24M tons. Overall, the total production indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +85.7% against 2012 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume at 25M tons in 2021, and then contracted modestly in the following year.

In value terms, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product production dropped to $33.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the production volume increased by 39% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $39.2B, and then dropped in the following year.

Production By Country

China (17M tons) remains the largest silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product producing country worldwide, accounting for 73% of total volume. Moreover, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Kazakhstan (1.4M tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Japan (1.1M tons), with a 4.8% share.

In China, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product production expanded at an average annual rate of +10.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Kazakhstan (+18.1% per year) and Japan (-3.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Flat-Rolled Products Of Silicon-Electrical Steel

In 2022, overseas purchases of flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel increased by 9.5% to 4.9M tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 19% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product imports skyrocketed to $9.5B in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a measured expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 58%. 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

Italy (722K tons) and India (677K tons) represented roughly 28% of total imports in 2022. Turkey (346K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by China (311K tons) and Mexico (240K tons). All these countries together took near 18% share of total imports. The following importers - Thailand (191K tons), France (183K tons), Canada (149K tons), the Czech Republic (146K tons), Germany (142K tons), Romania (123K tons), Poland (121K tons) and Brazil (119K tons) - together made up 24% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +9.3%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($1.3B), India ($1.2B) and Turkey ($884M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 36% of global imports.

Among the main importing countries, Turkey, with a CAGR of +14.5%, 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

Steel, alloy represented the major imported product with an import of around 2.9M tons, which amounted to 58% of total imports. Steel, alloy (1,318K tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by steel, alloy (437K tons) and steel, alloy (352K tons). All these products together held near 42% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to steel, alloy imports of stood at +1.6%. At the same time, steel, alloy (+1.7%) and steel, alloy (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, steel, alloy emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +1.7% from 2012-2022. Steel, alloy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. The shares of the largest types remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest types of imported flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel were steel, alloy ($4B), steel, alloy ($3.8B) and steel, alloy ($920M), together accounting for 91% of global imports. Steel, alloy lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 8.5%.

Steel, alloy, with a CAGR of +6.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main imported products over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product import price amounted to $1,930 per ton, rising by 34% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product import price increased by +79.0% against 2020 indices. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was steel, alloy ($2,873 per ton), while the price for steel, alloy ($1,385 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by steel, alloy; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of silicon-electrical steel, other than grain-oriented (+4.7%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product import price stood at $1,930 per ton in 2022, picking up by 34% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated noticeable growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product import price increased by +79.0% against 2020 indices. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 Canada ($2,862 per ton), while Romania ($993 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+5.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Flat-Rolled Products Of Silicon-Electrical Steel

In 2022, shipments abroad of flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel increased by 1% to 5.2M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period 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 with an increase of 33%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product exports soared to $10B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 81%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (1.3M tons), distantly followed by Japan (584K tons), Germany (540K tons), South Korea (486K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (479K tons) and Russia (292K tons) represented the largest exporters of flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel, together committing 71% of total exports. Austria (206K tons), France (166K tons), Turkey (127K tons), Poland (122K tons), Malaysia (98K tons), the United States (89K tons) and Slovakia (86K tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +16.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Turkey (+59.1%), Malaysia (+26.3%), Austria (+16.2%), Poland (+3.9%), Germany (+1.6%) and France (+1.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Turkey emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +59.1% from 2012-2022. Taiwan (Chinese), Slovakia and South Korea experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Russia (-3.1%), Japan (-3.4%) and the United States (-7.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+18 p.p.), Austria (+2.9 p.p.), Turkey (+2.4 p.p.) and Malaysia (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Taiwan (Chinese) (-1.8 p.p.), the United States (-3 p.p.), South Korea (-3.8 p.p.), Russia (-4.3 p.p.) and Japan (-9.2 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($2.5B), Japan ($1.5B) and Germany ($968M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 50% share of global exports. South Korea, Russia, Taiwan (Chinese), France, Austria, Poland, the United States, Turkey, Slovakia and Malaysia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 38%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +54.4%, recorded 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.

Exports By Type

Steel, alloy was the largest type of flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel in the world, with the volume of exports reaching 2.9M tons, which was near 56% of total exports in 2022. Steel, alloy (1,434K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 28% share, followed by steel, alloy (10%) and steel, alloy (6.3%).

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to steel, alloy exports of stood at +2.8%. At the same time, steel, alloy (+3.9%), steel, alloy (+2.5%) and steel, alloy (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, steel, alloy emerged as the fastest-growing type exported in the world, with a CAGR of +3.9% from 2012-2022. From 2012 to 2022, the share of steel, alloy decreased by -2.6 percentage points, while the shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest types of exported flat-rolled products of silicon-electrical steel were steel, alloy ($4.3B), steel, alloy ($3.9B) and steel, alloy ($1B), with a combined 92% share of global exports.

Steel, alloy, with a CAGR of +10.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exported products over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Type

In 2022, the average silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product export price amounted to $1,945 per ton, jumping by 36% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a perceptible increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product export price increased by +85.0% against 2020 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was steel, alloy ($3,021 per ton), while the average price for exports of steel, alloy ($1,342 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by steel, alloy; flat-rolled, width less than 600mm, of silicon-electrical steel, other than grain-oriented (+5.9%), while the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

The average silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product export price stood at $1,945 per ton in 2022, rising by 36% against the previous year. In general, export price indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, silicon-electrical steel flat-rolled product export price increased by +85.0% against 2020 indices. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

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 the United States ($3,208 per ton), while Malaysia ($829 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+7.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform