Lamp carbons, battery carbons and other articles of graphite or other carbon with or without metal for electrical purposes market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other graphite articles for electrical purposes saw its volume increase from 4 423 t in 2018 to a peak of 6 935 t in 2022. This growth period included a notable rise to 6 220 t in 2021, supported by Spain's position as a key export destination for these products, indicating sustained domestic demand.

Market volume dropped sharply to 2 879 t in 2023, a decline that aligned with the global adoption of more efficient, oxidation-resistant coating technologies for carbon electrodes, which reduced consumption in high-temperature applications by 21-26%. A partial recovery to 3 923 t followed in 2024, driven by growing global demand for synthetic graphite from the electric vehicle battery sector and capacity expansions by major international producers.

Production lamp and battery carbons and other graphite articles in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's production of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other electrical graphite or carbon articles was valued at 9 198 thousand US dollars, marking a slight 2.2% increase from 2019. Production grew by 34% between 2017 and 2020, averaging an annual growth rate of 10.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 9 295 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 3.1% drop. The most significant increase was in 2018, with production surging by 35.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

The market showed an unstable trend over the period. From 2017 to 2019, production volumes fluctuated dramatically, with a peak-to-trough amplitude of 34 times. In 2020, Spain produced 1 778 tonnes of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other electrical graphite or carbon articles, representing a sharp 43.9% decrease from the previous year. The highest production volume was in 2019 at 3 168 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 2,309.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports lamp and battery carbons and other graphite articles from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports varied significantly, with a 24-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the low in 2018. In 2020, Spain's cross-border shipments of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other electrical graphite or carbon articles totaled 62 tonnes, an 80.4% decline from the year before. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 35 tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 95.8%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with exports rising by 814.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Mexico were the main destinations for Spain's exports of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other electrical graphite or carbon articles. Italy accounted for 55.5% of exports in kind, Germany for 14.6%, and Mexico for 6.8%, together making up 76.8% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The export market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Exports reached their highest value in 2019 and their lowest in 2018, with a 4.9-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Spain exported 1 415 thousand US dollars worth of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other electrical graphite or carbon articles, a 56.5% decrease from 2019. The minimum value was 662 thousand US dollars in 2018, while the maximum was 3 251 thousand US dollars in 2019. The largest decline was in 2018 at 79.4%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 391.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Italy, and Cuba were the principal buyers of Spain's lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other electrical graphite or carbon articles in value terms. Germany represented 24.0% of exports, Italy 23.5%, and Cuba 6.8%, collectively accounting for 54.3% of total export value.

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

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

Imports lamp and battery carbons and other graphite articles to Spain

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, imports of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other electrical graphite or carbon articles into Spain increased. In 2020, import volume reached 3 744 tonnes, a solid 18.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 22.8%, with an average annual decline of 8.3%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 3 166 tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 26.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico and Germany were the primary suppliers of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other electrical graphite or carbon articles to Spain, together holding a 93.7% share of total imports in kind, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's imports of lamp carbons, battery carbons, and other electrical graphite or carbon articles totaled 51 462 thousand US dollars, a 46.0% increase from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 82.8%, averaging an annual growth rate of 22.3%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 17.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 52.0%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany and Mexico dominated Spain's imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 92.6% of total flows, with other countries representing the residual share.

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

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