Mar 9, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom - Acrylic Polymers, In Primary Forms (excluding Polymethyl Methacrylate) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The article discusses the expected upward consumption trend for acrylic polymers in the UK, excluding polymethyl methacrylate. The market is forecasted to experience a slight increase in performance, with a predicted CAGR of +1.4% in volume and +2.4% in value from 2024 to 2035. This growth is expected to bring the market volume to 90K tons and the market value to $192M by the end of 2035.
Market Forecast
Driven by rising demand for acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) in the UK, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 90K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $192M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
United Kingdom's Consumption of Acrylic Polymers, In Primary Forms (excluding Polymethyl Methacrylate)
In 2024, consumption of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) increased by 14% to 78K tons, rising for the third year in a row after four years of decline. In general, consumption, however, saw a abrupt slump. Consumption of peaked at 175K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The size of the market for acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) in the UK skyrocketed to $149M in 2024, with an increase of 37% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a drastic downturn. Consumption of peaked at $423M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Production
United Kingdom's Production of Acrylic Polymers, In Primary Forms (excluding Polymethyl Methacrylate)
Production of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) in the UK contracted slightly to 62K tons in 2024, dropping by -2.9% on the previous year's figure. Overall, production continues to indicate a abrupt shrinkage. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 6.8%. Production of peaked at 189K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, production of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) stood at $184M in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Production of peaked at $521M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.
Imports
United Kingdom's Imports of Acrylic Polymers, In Primary Forms (excluding Polymethyl Methacrylate)
In 2024, purchases abroad of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) increased by 6.2% to 176K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports of hit record highs at 204K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, imports of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) stood at $452M in 2024. Overall, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $491M. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.
Imports By Country
Germany (43K tons), France (35K tons) and Belgium (28K tons) were the main suppliers of imports of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) to the UK, together accounting for 60% of total imports. The Netherlands, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Sweden, the United States and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by South Korea (with a CAGR of +18.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($95M), France ($95M) and Belgium ($73M) appeared to be the largest acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) suppliers to the UK, with a combined 58% share of total imports. The Netherlands, the United States, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Sweden and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.
Among the main suppliers, South Korea, with a CAGR of +15.2%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average import price for acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) stood at $2,573 per ton in 2024, declining by -1.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $2,985 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($11,209 per ton), while the price for South Korea ($1,304 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+4.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
United Kingdom's Exports of Acrylic Polymers, In Primary Forms (excluding Polymethyl Methacrylate)
In 2024, the amount of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) exported from the UK reduced slightly to 161K tons, stabilizing at the previous year. In general, exports showed a noticeable reduction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 9.2%. Over the period under review, the exports of reached the peak figure at 229K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, exports of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) shrank modestly to $487M in 2024. Overall, exports saw a mild decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 19%. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at $644M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Canada (16K tons), the United States (14K tons) and Germany (13K tons) were the main destinations of exports of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) from the UK, with a combined 27% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the United States ($55M), Canada ($41M) and the Netherlands ($41M) appeared to be the largest markets for acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) exported from the UK worldwide, together comprising 28% of total exports.
The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +7.3%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average export price for acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) amounted to $3,036 per ton, declining by -2.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 an increase of 16%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $3,128 per ton in 2023, and then declined in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($3,873 per ton), while the average price for exports to Italy ($2,542 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Brazil (+2.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
