Europe Carbon Black Market size crossed USD 4.56 billion in 2020 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.9% from 2021 to 2027. The driving force behind the market expansion is the growing demand for carbon black in the tire, construction, and manufacturing industries, which are used to provide resistance to industrial rubber compounds and other equipment. In addition, it also has physical properties, such as thermal stability, color stability, and solvent resistance, and is widely used in paint & varnish industries.

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The industry’s performance is closely linked to the overall fortunes of the auto tire industry as a significant volume of the global production is consumed by it. However, the European automobile industry is going through degrowth in sales due to the rising prices of automobiles, weak financial environment, and a decrease in disposable income.

The global carbon black industry also witnessed a sudden rise and drop in raw material prices owing to a sudden drop in the demand for crude oil, rising inventory, and halt in production by OPEC countries. Profitability and cash flows are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuation risks, thus affecting the financials of manufacturers.

Europe Market, By Process

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Based on process, the furnace black segment is predicted to expand at 6% CAGR through 2027. The furnace black process involves the partial combustion of petroleum or kerosene as a raw material (feedstock oil) in high-temperature gas. This process can completely control its characteristics such as particle size or structure. It is very cost effective, and its yield rate is higher as compared to the other processes.

Europe Market, By Grade

The lower grade N550 segment in the Europe carbon black market is expected to register 5.9% growth during the forecast period. The seven most common grades are classified as furnace black made from petroleum. Compared with grades above N550, lower grades have the highest demand because they have a wider range of applications and lower prices.

N550 is mainly used in the manufacture of tires and rubber products. N550 has good dimensional stability for extruded shoes, belts, brake films, and plastic pipes. Compared with N550, N660 grade has a smaller surface area and a lower average texture. It is a versatile high modulus black. Due to the high demand from the tire industry and rubber products, this lower grade will boost the segment growth.

Europe Market, By Application

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Tires & rubber goods will generate around USD 3.6 billion revenue by 2027. The most important usage of rubbers is in vehicle tires. More than half of the overall rubber production is directly used in tires, inner tubes, and liners. Carbon black is the most widely used, cost-effective solution for reinforcement.

The rapid growth in the automotive industry coupled with the increasing demand for rubber goods is a major factor attributing to the growth of the overall market. Tires are in high demand from OEMs and replacement markets. The increasing mobility after the lifting of lockdowns across the world has led to a rising demand for tires from the automobile industry.

Competitive Industry Landscape

Prominent companies operating in the Europe carbon black market are Birla Carbon, Cabot Corporation, Continental Carbon Company, Orion Engineered Carbons S.A., Carbon Black Kft, Bridgestone Corp., Orion Engineered Carbons, Phillips Carbon Black Limited, Birla Carbon, and Tokai Carbon Limited, among others.

Key MNCs are expanding their influence worldwide through merger & acquisition strategies. For example, in July 2020, Mitsubishi Chemical acquired two German carbon fiber recycling companies, CFK Valley Stade Recycling GmbH and Co.KG and carbon NXT GmbH to develop the latest technology and expand its business in the Europe market.