Silicon carbide market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German silicon carbide market began the period with early adoption in the automotive sector, as Tesla started using SiC components in 2018 and partnerships like Vitesco selecting Rohm as a preferred supplier intensified competition. This foundational demand was abruptly interrupted in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic caused supply chain disruptions and reduced demand across key end-user industries like aerospace and electronics, leading the market volume to contract to 94.9 thousand tons.

A strong post-pandemic recovery followed in 2021, restoring market growth. This rebound accelerated into 2022, driven by robust demand from the steel-producing, steel-processing, and electronics industries. Ongoing research initiatives and expanding industrial applications supported this expansion, pushing the market volume to 135.3 thousand tons and its value to $343.4 million.

By 2024, the market volume had decreased to 96.8 thousand tons. This period was marked by significant strategic movements from major industry players, including capacity expansion projects by Infineon, STMicroelectronics, and SiCrystal in Germany and Europe, alongside the launch of advanced product generations like STMicroelectronics' fourth-generation SiC MOSFETs targeted at electric vehicles.

Production silicon carbide in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's silicon carbide output was valued at 151.4 million US dollars, marking a 16.1% decrease compared to the previous year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Germany produced 35,494 tonnes of silicon carbide in 2020, representing a 10.8% year-over-year decline.

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

Exports silicon carbide from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Silicon carbide exports from Germany fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 25,300 tonnes, a 4.3% drop from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 5.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.7%. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 27,700 tonnes, which saw a 15.2% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 4.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's silicon carbide exports were distributed across many partner countries. France accounted for 19.2% of exports, Poland for 18.6%, and Austria for 10.4%, together making up 48.3% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of silicon carbide from Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 40.0 million US dollars, down 7.5% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.6%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 3.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 45.3 million US dollars, which saw a 3.5% increase.

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

During 2017-2020, Poland, France, and Austria were key buyers of German silicon carbide, with shares of 23.4%, 13.0%, and 11.5% of export value, respectively. However, their combined share was only 47.9% of total exports, while the remaining 52.1% was spread across numerous other partners.

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

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

Imports silicon carbide to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of silicon carbide into Germany dropped for the second year in a row. In 2020, Germany imported 84,700 tonnes, a sharp 16.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 24.3%, with an average annual decline of 8.9%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 134,200 tonnes, which experienced a 19.9% increase. The largest decrease was in 2019, with a 24.9% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources of silicon carbide imports into Germany were the Netherlands, accounting for 43.1% of import volumes, China with 12.9%, and South Africa with 6.4%. Together, these three countries represented 62.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Silicon carbide imports into Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 74.5 million US dollars, a 24.2% year-over-year decrease. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 21.3%, with an average annual decline of 7.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 121.3 million US dollars, which saw a 28.2% increase.

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

In 2017-2020, the Netherlands, China, and Norway were the primary suppliers of silicon carbide to Germany, with shares of 39.3%, 11.1%, and 7.6% of import value, respectively. Collectively, they accounted for 58.0% of total imports in value terms.

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

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