Glass Fibre Filament, Roving, and Staple Glass Fibre Article Market

The global market for glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles is expected to see continued growth over the next eight years. Consumption, production, imports, and exports are all analyzed in detail, showing trends from 2012 to 2022 and forecasted trends up to 2030. Key exporting countries like China and Malaysia, as well as importing countries like the United States and Germany, are highlighted. Average prices and growth rates for different types of glass fibre articles are also discussed, providing a comprehensive overview of the market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles 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 10M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $20.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Glass Fibre Filaments, Rovings, Chopped Strands, and Staple Glass Fibre Articles

In 2022, global consumption of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles reduced modestly to 8.9M tons, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a slight expansion. Global consumption peaked at 9.9M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The size of the market for glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles worldwide amounted to $14.8B in 2022, picking up by 3.1% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at $16.7B in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (1.9M tons), the United States (1.3M tons) and India (953K tons), with a combined 47% share of global consumption. Japan, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, Mexico, France, Egypt, Russia, the UK and Italy lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of articles, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +7.9%), while articles for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($2.9B), China ($1.7B) and India ($1.4B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together accounting for 41% of the global market. Japan, Germany, Egypt, Brazil, Mexico, Italy, Russia, France, the UK and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +10.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while articles for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of glass fibre filament, roving, and staple glass fibre article per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (4 kg per person), Germany (4 kg per person) and France (3.3 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of articles, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Russia (with a CAGR of +7.8%), while articles for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Glass Fibre Filaments, Rovings, Chopped Strands, and Staple Glass Fibre Articles

In 2022, global production of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles dropped to 8.8M tons, reducing by -3% compared with the previous year. In general, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 16%. Global production peaked at 9.8M tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, production of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles shrank to $13.2B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 when the production volume increased by 16%. Over the period under review, global production of reached the peak level at $16.5B in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (2.9M tons) remains the largest glass fibre filament, roving, and staple glass fibre article producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 33% of total volume. Moreover, production of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (1M tons), threefold. India (816K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 9.3% share.

In China, production of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (+2.0% per year) and India (+1.5% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Glass Fibre Filaments, Rovings, Chopped Strands, and Staple Glass Fibre Articles

In 2022, supplies from abroad of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles increased by 1.9% to 3M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 20%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, imports of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles rose markedly to $4.9B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 37% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports of attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (440K tons) and Germany (333K tons) represented the largest importers of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articlesin the world, together creating 25% of total imports. Italy (164K tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by India (163K tons) and South Korea (158K tons). All these countries together took approx. 16% share of total imports. Turkey (136K tons), the Netherlands (128K tons), Belgium (124K tons), Japan (94K tons), China (90K tons), Spain (85K tons), France (81K tons) and Canada (73K tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for India (with a CAGR of +14.8%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest glass fibre filament, roving, and staple glass fibre article importing markets worldwide were the United States ($692M), Germany ($538M) and Italy ($276M), together accounting for 31% of global imports. India, Belgium, France, South Korea, the Netherlands, Turkey, Spain, China, Canada and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +15.5%, saw 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.

Imports By Type

In 2022, glass fibre filaments (1.5M tons) and glass fibre chopped strands (1.2M tons) represented the major types of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articlesacross the globe, together resulting at approx. 88% of total imports. It was distantly followed by glass fibres; (including glass wool), slivers, yarns and threads (354K tons), making up a 12% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main imported products, was attained by glass fibre chopped strands (with a CAGR of +5.1%), while imports for the other products experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

In value terms, the largest types of imported glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles were glass fibre filaments ($2.2B), glass fibre chopped strands ($1.8B) and glass fibres; (including glass wool), slivers, yarns and threads ($911M).

Among the main imported products, glass fibre filaments, with a CAGR of +6.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other products experienced mixed trends in the imports figures.

Import Prices By Type

In 2022, the average import price for glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles amounted to $1,599 per ton, increasing by 10% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 14%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was glass fibres; (including glass wool), slivers, yarns and threads ($2,577 per ton), while the price for glass fibre filaments ($1,452 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by glass fibre filament (+1.1%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Import Prices By Country

The average import price for glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles stood at $1,599 per ton in 2022, picking up by 10% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 14%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($2,395 per ton), while Japan ($1,184 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+3.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Glass Fibre Filaments, Rovings, Chopped Strands, and Staple Glass Fibre Articles

In 2022, the amount of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles exported worldwide dropped to 2.9M tons, falling by -6.2% against 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% 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 when exports increased by 24%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 3.1M tons, and then contracted in the following year.

In value terms, exports of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles stood at $4.5B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% 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 40%. Over the period under review, the global exports of attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

China was the key exporter of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles in the world, with the volume of exports accounting for 1.1M tons, which was approx. 37% of total exports in 2022. Malaysia (328K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with an 11% share, followed by Belgium (7.9%) and France (4.9%). Taiwan (Chinese) (130K tons), Mexico (114K tons), Bahrain (109K tons), the United States (106K tons), the Netherlands (99K tons), Slovakia (92K tons), the UK (56K tons), South Korea (54K tons) and Norway (46K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to glass fibre filament, roving, and staple glass fibre article exports from China stood at +4.5%. At the same time, Bahrain (+13.7%), South Korea (+9.8%), the Netherlands (+4.9%), Malaysia (+3.8%), Norway (+3.0%), Mexico (+2.2%), Belgium (+2.2%), France (+1.3%), Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.1%) and the United States (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bahrain emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +13.7% from 2012-2022. Slovakia and the UK experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China and Bahrain increased by +4.1 and +2.3 percentage points, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($1.2B) remains the largest glass fibre filament, roving, and staple glass fibre article supplier worldwide, comprising 28% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Malaysia ($460M), with a 10% share of global exports. It was followed by Belgium, with an 8.5% share.

In China, exports of glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles expanded at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Malaysia (+5.8% per year) and Belgium (+2.4% per year).

Exports By Type

Glass fibre filaments (1.4M tons) and glass fibre chopped strands (1.2M tons) represented roughly 88% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by glass fibres; (including glass wool), slivers, yarns and threads (349K tons), generating a 12% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for glass fibre chopped strands (with a CAGR of +4.4%), while shipments for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, glass fibre chopped strands ($1.8B), glass fibre filaments ($1.8B) and glass fibres; (including glass wool), slivers, yarns and threads ($854M) constituted the products with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 99.9% share of global exports.

Glass fibre chopped strands, with a CAGR of +5.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of 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 export price for glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles amounted to $1,519 per ton, surging by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 13%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was glass fibres; (including glass wool), slivers, yarns and threads ($2,448 per ton), while the average price for exports of glass fibre filaments ($1,321 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by glass fibre filament (+1.1%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Export Prices By Country

The average export price for glass fibre filaments, rovings, chopped strands, and staple glass fibre articles stood at $1,519 per ton in 2022, growing by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 13%. The global export price peaked 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 the United States ($2,450 per ton), while China ($1,145 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bahrain (+6.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform