Silicon market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, silicon production in Germany fell from 1 011 million US dollars to 588 million US dollars, while the market volume declined from 638 million US dollars to 377 million US dollars. The high production level in 2018 was supported by robust domestic demand for high-purity silicon for semiconductors, as reported by Siltronic AG, which cited full capacity utilization and rising selling prices. However, production contracted in the following years, even amid reports of strengthened demand for silicone elastomers in the construction and automotive sectors driven by European CO₂ emission standards and the commissioning of Evonik Industries' new multi-purpose silicone production facility in 2020.

After 2020, production data are not available, but import and export values showed significant swings. Imports rose from 645 million US dollars in 2020 to 1 257 million US dollars in 2022, partly due to an acute silicone shortage caused by supply bottlenecks for silicon metal raw material and rising feedstock prices, which forced increased procurement. Exports also surged, reaching 2 191 million US dollars in 2022, aided by the opening of Elkem ASA's new specialty silicone plant in October 2022 that expanded European supply. In 2023, persistent global silicon metal scarcity continued to elevate production costs, coinciding with a drop in both imports and exports. By 2024, German manufacturers were adapting to new EU-wide labeling and traceability rules for silicone-based sealants, while Wacker Chemie AG and Dow announced investments in new silicone research laboratories to meet growing demand from electromobility and 5G networks.

Production silicon in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Silicon production in Germany has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, output was valued at 588 million US dollars, which is 7.0% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 44.3%, with an average annual decline of 17.7%.

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

Exports silicon from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, Germany's silicon exports amounted to 84.2 thousand tonnes, a slight decrease of 1.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 6.6%, averaging 2.1% per year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 76.5 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 85.0 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 3.1%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 11.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Germany's silicon exports by volume were China, accounting for 57.8% of exports, Poland with 6.8%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified, with 3.9%. Together, these three markets represented 68.5% of total export flows.

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 exports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 856 million US dollars, a modest decrease of 1.8% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 25.6%, with an average annual decline of 9.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading destinations for Germany's silicon exports by value were China, which accounted for 55.2% of exports, Singapore with 11.5%, and Japan with 8.3%. Combined, these three countries made up 75.1% of total export flows.

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 to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's silicon imports have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 245.7 thousand tonnes, a drop of 6.0% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11.1%, averaging a decline of 3.8% per year. The highest volume was recorded in 2018 at 295.9 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 11.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 7.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the biggest contributors to Germany's silicon imports by volume were Norway, with 31.8% of imports, France at 24.4%, and China at 13.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 69.6% 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

In 2020, Germany's silicon imports were valued at 645 million US dollars, showing a slight uptick of 1.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 2.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 724 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 12.3%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 14.6%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the leading sources for Germany's silicon imports by value were Norway, accounting for 27.5% of imports, France with 21.8%, and the United States with 12.8%. These three countries jointly represented 62.1% of total import flows.

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

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