Silicon dioxide market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The silicon dioxide market in Germany, measured in value, contracted from $325.3 million in 2018 to $261.7 million in 2020. This decline coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and dampened demand across several consuming industries. A sharp recovery followed in 2021, with the market expanding to $359.7 million. This growth was primarily driven by a 17% surge in demand for wafer manufacturing and polishing materials within the semiconductor industry, alongside rising consumption of high-purity silicon dioxide for electric vehicle batteries and solar modules.

Market value fell again over the next two years, dropping to $246.1 million by 2023. Regulatory restrictions on the use of silicon dioxide (E 551) in food products, which took effect earlier and continued to impact the market, contributed to this downturn. Persistent raw material supply challenges following the pandemic also played a role in constraining the market during this period.

In 2024, the market rebounded to $272.7 million. This increase was supported by sustained demand for specialty silica in applications like green tires for the growing electric vehicle sector and for electronics. Concurrently, technological innovations in producing monodispersed colloidal and mesoporous silica opened new applications in nanotechnology and biomedicine, supporting market expansion.

Production silicon dioxide in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's silicon dioxide production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 542.8 million US dollars, down 4.8% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 5.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 9.0%. That year also saw the peak value of 603.3 million US dollars.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's silicon dioxide production declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 181.1 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 3.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%.

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

Exports silicon dioxide from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's silicon dioxide exports reached 206.8 thousand tonnes, marking a modest reduction of 4.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -2.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 0.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Poland, and Czechia were important buyers of silicon dioxide from Germany, accounting for 13.1%, 11.4%, and 7.7% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 32.2% of total exports, with the remaining 67.8% distributed among many other partners.

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

Germany's silicon dioxide exports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 450.0 million US dollars, equivalent to a modest decline of 6.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -0.8%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 7.5%, which also saw the peak value of 496.1 million US dollars.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of exports in value terms was scattered. France, the United States, and Belgium accounted for 16.2%, 8.0%, and 6.4% of exports in value terms, respectively, but together they represented just 30.6% of total flows, with no partner standing out as clearly dominant.

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 dioxide to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's silicon dioxide imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 104.1 thousand tonnes, reflecting a solid decline of 22.3% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 25.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -9.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 1.4%, which also saw the peak volume of 141.3 thousand tonnes.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, China, and Italy played notable roles as suppliers of silicon dioxide to Germany, accounting for 26.0%, 13.0%, and 8.5% of imports in kind, respectively. However, their joint share reached only 47.4% of total imports, indicating a lack of dominance.

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

Germany's silicon dioxide imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were valued at 168.9 million US dollars, reflecting a robust reduction of 16.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 14.6%, which also saw the peak value of 218.0 million US dollars.

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

The data for 2017 to 2020 show that imports in value terms of silicon dioxide to Germany were not concentrated on a few key destinations. France, the United States, and China accounted for 26.5%, 10.9%, and 9.8% of imports in value terms, respectively, but together they represented only 47.2% of total flows.

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

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