Solid Vulcanised Rubber Sheet Market

The global solid vulcanized rubber sheet market is expected to see a slight growth in volume and value terms from 2022 to 2030, with a CAGR of +0.9% and +3.0% respectively. While consumption, production, imports, and exports have shown fluctuations over the years, major countries like China, the United States, and Germany play significant roles in the market. The highest per capita consumption of solid vulcanised rubber sheet is in the Netherlands. Import and export prices have varied by country, with China being one of the top exporting countries with relatively low prices.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for solid vulcanised rubber sheet worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Plates, Sheets, Strips Of Solid Vulcanised Rubber

In 2022, consumption of plates, sheets, strips for floor covering of solid vulcanised rubber decreased by -1% to 1M tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a perceptible slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 8.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 1.4M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global solid vulcanised rubber sheet market value stood at $4.7B in 2022, flattening 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). In general, consumption showed a perceptible decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 1.7% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at $7.2B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (230K tons), the United States (129K tons) and India (99K tons), together comprising 44% of global consumption. Indonesia, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Japan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, France and Australia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 24%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest solid vulcanised rubber sheet markets worldwide were the United States ($681M), China ($647M) and Brazil ($528M), with a combined 39% share of the global market. India, Japan, Mexico, Germany, the Netherlands, France, the UK, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Indonesia and Australia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +4.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to 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.

In 2022, the highest levels of solid vulcanised rubber sheet per capita consumption was registered in the Netherlands (1,340 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Australia (595 kg per 1000 persons), the United States (384 kg per 1000 persons) and Germany (341 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of solid vulcanised rubber sheet was estimated at 131 kg per 1000 persons.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the solid vulcanised rubber sheet per capita consumption in the Netherlands totaled +4.0%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Australia (+0.3% per year) and the United States (-6.8% per year).

Production

World Production of Plates, Sheets, Strips Of Solid Vulcanised Rubber

Global solid vulcanised rubber sheet production dropped slightly to 1.1M tons in 2022, with a decrease of -1.7% on 2021. In general, production recorded a perceptible descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 8.1%. Global production peaked at 1.4M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, solid vulcanised rubber sheet production fell slightly to $4.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 7.7%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $7B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (396K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of solid vulcanised rubber sheet production, accounting for 36% of total volume. Moreover, solid vulcanised rubber sheet production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (126K tons), threefold. India (124K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-6.3% per year) and India (+0.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Plates, Sheets, Strips Of Solid Vulcanised Rubber

In 2022, the amount of plates, sheets, strips for floor covering of solid vulcanised rubber imported worldwide fell slightly to 681K tons, waning by -2.8% against the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 14%. As a result, imports attained the peak of 700K tons, and then shrank modestly in the following year.

In value terms, solid vulcanised rubber sheet imports totaled $3.3B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 19%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of plates, sheets, strips for floor covering of solid vulcanised rubber, namely the United States, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, the UK, South Korea, Italy, Canada, China, Mexico and Austria, represented more than half of total import. Australia (16K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for South Korea (with a CAGR of +3.6%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($350M), Germany ($234M) and China ($181M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 23% share of global imports. The Netherlands, France, Belgium, Canada, the UK, Italy, Mexico, Austria, Australia and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

Among the main importing countries, Belgium, with a CAGR of +4.9%, saw 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.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average solid vulcanised rubber sheet import price amounted to $4,847 per ton, with an increase of 4.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Global import price peaked at $4,964 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($9,264 per ton), while South Korea ($2,141 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+2.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Plates, Sheets, Strips Of Solid Vulcanised Rubber

In 2022, global solid vulcanised rubber sheet exports fell slightly to 732K tons, which is down by -3.8% on the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 16%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 761K tons, and then fell modestly in the following year.

In value terms, solid vulcanised rubber sheet exports stood at $3.6B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 20% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (186K tons), distantly followed by Germany (123K tons), the United States (60K tons) and the Netherlands (34K tons) were the major exporters of plates, sheets, strips for floor covering of solid vulcanised rubber, together constituting 55% of total exports. The following exporters - India (32K tons), Italy (30K tons), Belgium (28K tons), Spain (22K tons), Poland (20K tons), Sweden (19K tons), France (16K tons), the Czech Republic (13K tons) and Malaysia (12K tons) - together made up 26% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +16.7%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest solid vulcanised rubber sheet supplying countries worldwide were Germany ($663M), China ($510M) and the United States ($355M), with a combined 42% share of global exports. Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, India, France, Spain, Poland, Malaysia and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +18.3%, recorded 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

In 2022, the average solid vulcanised rubber sheet export price amounted to $4,965 per ton, picking up by 6.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export 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 exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Sweden ($7,078 per ton), while China ($2,743 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform