May 13, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Polyacetals In Primary Forms – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The UK polyacetals market is poised for growth over the next decade, fueled by increasing demand for primary forms. The market is projected to expand with a +3.2% CAGR in volume and +3.4% CAGR in value from 2024 to 2035, reaching 74K tons and $204M respectively by the end of the forecast period.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for polyacetals in primary forms in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 74K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $204M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Polyacetals In Primary Forms
In 2024, consumption of polyacetals in primary forms decreased by -0.8% to 52K tons, falling for the second year in a row after three years of growth. In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 7.9% against the previous year. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 55K tons. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the consumption failed to regain momentum.
The revenue of the polyacetals market in the UK fell to $141M in 2024, waning by -7.2% 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). Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $152M in 2023, and then contracted in the following year.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Polyacetals In Primary Forms
Polyacetals production in the UK totaled 50K tons in 2024, with an increase of 2.7% against the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 17%. Over the period under review, production attained the peak volume in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
In value terms, polyacetals production reduced to $133M in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. Polyacetals production peaked at $141M in 2023, and then dropped in the following year.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Polyacetals In Primary Forms
In 2024, supplies from abroad of polyacetals in primary forms decreased by -8.9% to 8.2K tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, imports recorded a pronounced descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when imports increased by 21%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum at 12K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, polyacetals imports declined to $27M in 2024. In general, imports recorded a noticeable shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 33%. Imports peaked at $36M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
Imports By Country
Germany (3.1K tons), Pakistan (1.6K tons) and the Netherlands (1.6K tons) were the main suppliers of polyacetals imports to the UK, with a combined 70% share of total imports. South Korea, Thailand, China, Malaysia and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.
From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Malaysia (with a CAGR of +32.4%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($13M), the Netherlands ($6.7M) and South Korea ($2.7M) constituted the largest polyacetals suppliers to the UK, together comprising 73% of total imports. Pakistan, Thailand, China, Malaysia and Belgium lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.
Malaysia, with a CAGR of +36.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average polyacetals import price stood at $3,351 per ton in 2023, shrinking by -7.1% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2023, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 26%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $3,757 per ton. From 2022 to 2023, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($4,213 per ton), while the price for Pakistan ($1,466 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+20.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Polyacetals In Primary Forms
In 2024, overseas shipments of polyacetals in primary forms increased by 20% to 5.7K tons, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, exports recorded strong growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when exports increased by 389% against the previous year. The exports peaked at 7.5K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, polyacetals exports skyrocketed to $5.7M in 2024. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a mild contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of 84% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $8.3M. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.
Exports By Country
Malaysia (802 tons) was the main destination for polyacetals exports from the UK, with a 17% share of total exports. Moreover, polyacetals exports to Malaysia exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Slovakia (186 tons), fourfold. Ireland (65 tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 1.4% share.
From 2013 to 2023, the average annual growth rate of volume to Malaysia stood at +48.8%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Slovakia (+71.3% per year) and Ireland (-1.8% per year).
In value terms, Malaysia ($1.1M), the United States ($649K) and Slovakia ($311K) constituted the largest markets for polyacetals exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 48% share of total exports.
Slovakia, with a CAGR of +65.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
The average polyacetals export price stood at $927 per ton in 2023, dropping by -70.1% against the previous year. Overall, the export price faced a abrupt shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 221%. The export price peaked at $8,255 per ton in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($43,600 per ton), while the average price for exports to Malaysia ($1,421 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the United States (+17.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.