Hard Plastic Comb Market

The global market for hard plastic combs is expected to experience growth in both volume and value over the next eight years. The article analyzes consumption trends, production patterns, and import-export dynamics of hard plastic combs worldwide. Key findings include the largest consuming and producing countries, growth rates, and price trends for hard plastic comb imports and exports.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for hard plastic comb 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 +0.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 107K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Hard Rubber Or Plastic Combs

In 2022, the amount of hard rubber or plastic combs consumed worldwide fell slightly to 103K tons, approximately reflecting 2021. Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at 105K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global hard plastic comb market value amounted to $875M in 2022, increasing by 6% 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 +1.4% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of hard plastic comb consumption was the United States (24K tons), comprising approx. 24% of total volume. Moreover, hard plastic comb consumption in the United States exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (10K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (6.1K tons), with a 5.9% share.

In the United States, hard plastic comb consumption increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: China (-2.5% per year) and India (+2.8% per year).

In value terms, the United States ($240M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($59M). It was followed by China.

In the United States, the hard plastic comb market expanded at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+6.1% per year) and China (-3.6% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of hard plastic comb per capita consumption in 2022 were the Netherlands (105 kg per 1000 persons), Iraq (90 kg per 1000 persons) and the United States (72 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +15.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Hard Rubber Or Plastic Combs

In 2022, approx. 176K tons of hard rubber or plastic combs were produced worldwide; with an increase of 10% on 2021 figures. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 181K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hard plastic comb production fell to $1B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a perceptible descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 29%. Global production peaked at $1.3B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (158K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of hard plastic comb production, comprising approx. 90% of total volume. It was followed by India (5.1K tons), with a 2.9% share of total production.

In China, hard plastic comb production remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022.

Imports

World Imports of Hard Rubber Or Plastic Combs

In 2022, global imports of hard rubber or plastic combs expanded rapidly to 93K tons, with an increase of 7.3% against 2021. Overall, imports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 52%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, hard plastic comb imports surged to $752M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% 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 with an increase of 33%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (25K tons) was the key importer of hard rubber or plastic combs, achieving 26% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Greece (5.8K tons), creating a 6.2% share of total imports. Russia (4K tons), Iraq (3.8K tons), Mexico (3.2K tons), India (2.4K tons), Bangladesh (2.3K tons), the UK (2.2K tons), Germany (2.1K tons), Hong Kong SAR (2.1K tons), Japan (1.8K tons), Indonesia (1.8K tons) and Spain (1.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to hard plastic comb imports into the United States stood at +11.7%. At the same time, Greece (+33.5%), India (+17.8%), Bangladesh (+14.2%), Germany (+7.1%), Spain (+4.8%), the UK (+2.6%) and Japan (+1.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Greece emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +33.5% from 2012-2022. Iraq, Russia and Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Hong Kong SAR (-11.2%) and Indonesia (-12.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of the United States, Greece, India and Bangladesh increased by +17, +5.8, +2 and +1.8 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($173M) constitutes the largest market for imported hard rubber or plastic combs worldwide, comprising 23% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($46M), with a 6.1% share of global imports. It was followed by the UK, with a 4.5% share.

In the United States, hard plastic comb imports expanded at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Germany (+8.9% per year) and the UK (+5.0% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average hard plastic comb import price amounted to $8,046 per ton, rising by 7.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.5%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when the average import price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $8,944 per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($21,463 per ton), while India ($1,865 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Bangladesh (+11.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Hard Rubber Or Plastic Combs

In 2022, approx. 166K tons of hard rubber or plastic combs were exported worldwide; rising by 17% on 2021. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 32%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, hard plastic comb exports surged to $1.6B in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% 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 +88.3% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 45% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

China dominates exports structure, recording 149K tons, which was approx. 89% of total exports in 2022. Greece (5.4K tons) took a little share of total exports.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of hard rubber or plastic combs. At the same time, Greece (+49.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Greece emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +49.2% from 2012-2022. Greece (+3.2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($1.4B) remains the largest hard plastic comb supplier worldwide, comprising 88% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Greece ($11M), with a 0.7% share of global exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +7.4%.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average hard plastic comb export price amounted to $9,462 per ton, growing by 11% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +5.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 28%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

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 China ($9,280 per ton), while Greece totaled $2,105 per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+7.0%).

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform