Market research

Natural graphite market in Western Europe

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

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Research period: 2017-2025

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"Western Europe" region includes following countries:

Austria

Belgium

France

Germany

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Monaco

the Netherlands

Switzerland

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the natural graphite market volume in Western Europe increased from 105.5 thousand tons to 129.1 thousand tons, representing a 22% growth over the period. The market experienced a significant upturn in 2019, reaching 119.0 thousand tons, followed by a contraction to 98.0 thousand tons in 2020. It then recovered steadily, climbing to 111.7 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 129.1 thousand tons in 2022.

By 2024, the market was shaped by several key developments. China's dominance in natural graphite production was reinforced by export restrictions and stricter controls on dual-use goods, directly impacting European supply. Concurrently, demand for natural graphite in Europe was driven by the electrification of transport and the expansion of energy storage systems. In response, new production lines for eco-friendly graphite electrodes were commissioned, such as one by GrafTech International aiming to reduce carbon emissions by 30%. Additionally, companies like Showa Denko partnered with automotive manufacturers to develop customized graphite electrodes for electric vehicles, highlighting increased specialization and innovation in the sector.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Western Europe
  1. 5.1.1. Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in kind, 2018-2022, t
2. 5.2. Global production by Country, 2018-2022
  1. 5.2.1. Annual dynamics of production by country in kind, 2018-2022, t
  2. 5.2.2. Structure of production by countries in kind, 2018-2022
  3. 5.2.3. Dynamics of peoduction structure by countries in kind, 2018-2022
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data*)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data*)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Austria in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Austria by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production natural graphite in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of natural graphite, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of production of natural graphite, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

In 2020, Western Europe produced 56 608 tonnes of natural graphite, marking a 6.0% decrease from 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 35 734 tonnes, then peaked in 2019 at 60 207 tonnes with a significant 68.5% year-on-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 57.9%, translating to an annualized growth rate of 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(0.3%)	68.5%	(6.0%)	16.4%

Source: SHEV.io

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of growth, natural graphite production in Western Europe experienced a decline. In 2020, output was valued at 151.7 million US dollars, down 1.7% from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 154.3 million US dollars, which represented a 34.5% increase from 2018. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, production value increased by 57.9%, corresponding to an annualized growth rate of 16.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	19.4%	34.5%	(1.7%)	16.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Exports natural graphite from Western Europe

Exports in kind, t

Western Europe's natural graphite exports grew for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 29 935 tonnes, up 3.5% from 2019. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 23 342 tonnes, which was a 21.8% decrease from 2017. The following year saw a strong recovery with a 23.9% increase in 2019.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(21.8%)	23.9%	3.5%	0.1%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Europe's natural graphite exports in volume terms were highly diversified across partner countries. The top three destinations—Czechia (8.3% of exports), Italy (7.8%), and Poland (7.1%)—collectively accounted for just 23.1% of total export flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of natural graphite exports from Western Europe declined. In 2020, exports totaled 48.0 million US dollars, showing minimal change from 2019's peak of 48.2 million US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 3.4%. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 4.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	3.4%	1.8%	(0.5%)	1.6%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, Western Europe's natural graphite exports in value terms remained highly diversified. The top three markets—South Korea (9.0% of export value), Poland (8.4%), and Italy (6.6%)—together represented only 24.1% of total flows. The remaining 75.9% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports natural graphite to Western Europe

Imports in kind, t

Natural graphite imports into Western Europe declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 71 284 tonnes, a substantial 18.8% drop from the previous year. Imports peaked in 2018 at 93 063 tonnes, which included a 4.3% increase from 2017. Over the 2017-2020 period, import volume decreased by 20.1%, equating to an annualized decline of 7.2%.

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

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.3%	(5.7%)	(18.8%)	(7.2%)

Source: SHEV.io

Throughout 2017-2020, China (30.1% of import volume), Mozambique (14.6%), and Brazil (10.2%) were the leading suppliers of natural graphite to Western Europe. Together, these three countries accounted for 54.8% of total import flows.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Foreign natural graphite supplies to Western Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 71.4 million US dollars, representing a 16.3% decrease from 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 101.5 million US dollars, which marked an 18.1% increase from 2017. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 17.0%, corresponding to an annualized decline of 6.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	18.1%	(16.0%)	(16.3%)	(6.0%)

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, China (26.2% of import value), Brazil (16.3%), and Mozambique (8.7%) were the largest suppliers of natural graphite to Western Europe in value terms. Collectively, these three countries formed 51.1% of total import value.

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

Source: SHEV.io

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

Source: SHEV.io