Commercial alkali-metal silicates market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

Poland's exports of commercial alkali-metal silicates increased significantly from 2018, reaching a peak of 117.4 M $ US in 2022 before falling to 81.4 M $ US in 2024, while imports remained stable between 9.3 M $ US and 13.0 M $ US throughout the period.

Recorded production value declined from 169.2 M $ US in 2022 to 117.9 M $ US in 2024, and the domestic market size contracted from 63.1 M $ US to 47.9 M $ US over the same years. This drop was primarily driven by rising production costs due to volatility in raw material prices, especially for soda ash, and increased energy expenses across Europe, amplified by global supply chain disruptions.

The market's structure was influenced by key player Qemetica, formerly the CIECH Group, which expanded its product portfolio through the acquisition of PPG's silica products business in 2024. Underlying demand from detergent and construction applications continued to grow, but could not offset the cost pressures that reduced market value.

Production commercial alkali-metal silicates in Poland

According to Faostat, there is no production of commercial alkali-metal silicates in Poland.

Exports commercial alkali-metal silicates from Poland

Exports in kind, K t

Poland's exports of commercial alkali-metal silicates declined for the second year in a row. In 2019, exports totaled 176.6 K t, but by 2020 they had fallen to 154.3 K t, a decrease of 12.6%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 8.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 186.6 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Czechia, and Germany were the key markets for Poland's exports of commercial alkali-metal silicates. The Netherlands accounted for 34.0% of exports, Czechia for 13.0%, and Germany for 12.3%. Together, these three countries represented 59.3% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Poland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Poland's export value of commercial alkali-metal silicates also declined for the second consecutive year. In 2019, exports were valued at 48 348 K $ US, but in 2020 they dropped to 44 304 K $ US, a decrease of 8.4%. Between 2017 and 2020, however, exports increased by 8.3% overall, with an average annual growth rate of 2.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 49 854 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 21.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Poland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the period from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Germany, and Czechia consistently led in Poland's export value structure. The Netherlands contributed 30.6% of exports, Germany 14.7%, and Czechia 9.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 54.7% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Poland in value, 2017-2020

Imports commercial alkali-metal silicates to Poland

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Poland's imports of commercial alkali-metal silicates declined. In 2019, imports reached 13.5 K t, but in 2020 they fell sharply to 8.0 K t, a decrease of 40.7%. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22%, with an average annual decline of 8.0%. The highest import volume was in 2019, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 17.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Poland in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Czechia, the Netherlands, and Germany were the main suppliers of commercial alkali-metal silicates to Poland. Czechia accounted for 57.3% of imports, the Netherlands for 9.1%, and Germany for 7.5%. Together, these three countries made up 73.9% of total imports.

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

World map of product's imports to Poland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of gains, Poland's import value of commercial alkali-metal silicates declined. In 2019, imports were valued at 10 348 K $ US, but in 2020 they decreased to 9 312 K $ US, a drop of 10.0%. The highest import value was recorded in 2019, which also saw the largest increase of 9.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Poland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, Japan, Czechia, and the Netherlands were the largest suppliers of commercial alkali-metal silicates to Poland in value terms. Japan accounted for 36.0% of imports, Czechia for 12.3%, and the Netherlands for 11.9%. Collectively, these three countries represented 60.1% of total import value.

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

World map of product's imports to Poland in value, 2017-2020