Carbon and graphite products market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

In physical terms, the U.S. market for carbon and graphite products contracted from 274.9 million units in 2018 to 231.0 million units in 2020. This downward trend reversed in the following two years, with volume recovering to 281.9 million units in 2021 and expanding further to 298.4 million units in 2022, exceeding the pre-contraction level.

Measured in market value, a different pattern emerged. After a slight increase to $4.42 billion in 2019, the market's value dropped sharply to $3.40 billion in 2020. A gradual recovery followed, reaching $3.74 billion by 2022, though this remained below the 2018 value of $4.37 billion, indicating significant price or product mix changes during the period.

Production carbon and graphite products in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, M money

In the United States, production of carbon and graphite products reached 149.8 million units in 2020, marking a solid year-over-year increase of 10.8%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 17%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, M money

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, the production of carbon and graphite products in the United States declined. In 2020, the output was valued at 3 598 million US dollars, down by 21.7% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 2.2%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 4 593 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 26.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports carbon and graphite products from the United States

Exports in kind, M money

Exports of carbon and graphite products from the United States increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 55.2 million units, which is 3.5% higher than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 51.7 million units, and the largest decline also occurred in 2018, with a drop of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, M money

From 2017 to 2020, exports of carbon and graphite products from the United States were not heavily concentrated on a few key markets. Canada accounted for 17.9% of exports in kind, Mexico for 14.1%, and Germany for 9.1%. Together, these three countries represented only 41.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of gains, the export volume of carbon and graphite products from the United States declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 1 326 million US dollars, marking a decrease of 26.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 7.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 813 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 17.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During the period from 2017 to 2020, exports of carbon and graphite products from the United States in value terms were relatively evenly distributed. Germany accounted for 11.9% of exports in value terms, Italy for 9.0%, and Canada for 8.3%. Combined, these three countries represented only 29.2% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports carbon and graphite products to the United States

Imports in kind, M money

Imports of carbon and graphite products into the United States declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 136.4 million units, showing a decrease of 16.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 12.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 189.6 million units, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018, with a rise of 55.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, M money

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, China, and India consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports in kind for carbon and graphite products into the United States. Mexico accounted for 22.0% of imports in kind, China for 17.7%, and India for 13.0%. Together, these three countries represented 52.8% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After two years of increase, the import volume of carbon and graphite products into the United States declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 1 130 million US dollars, down by 31.2% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 16.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 641 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 63.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, China, and Mexico consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of imports in value terms for carbon and graphite products into the United States. Japan accounted for 22.0% of imports in value terms, China for 15.0%, and Mexico for 14.0%. Combined, these three countries represented 51.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020