Beryllium Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Industrial, Consumer Electronics, Automotive Electronics, Defense, Telecommunications, Energy, Medical), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global beryllium market size was estimated at USD 124.6 million in 2016. The increasing use of the metal and its alloys in key application industries including aerospace & defense, telecommunications, and consumer electronics is expected to drive market growth over the next eight years. 

Factors, such as superior properties including lightweight, stiffness & heat dissipation, low density, high melting point, thermal conductivity, heat-absorbing capacity, and dimensional stability at different temperatures, are likely to drive the demand for the product. In addition, properties offered by alloys such as electrical conductivity, corrosion resistance, and long-lasting spring are expected to drive product demand.

The product can be alloyed with various materials including magnesium, copper, aluminum, and iron, thereby generating a high demand in electronic, medical, and industrial applications. However, the prices of its alloys are likely to emerge as one of the major reasons for their substitution in automotive applications, which in turn is likely to result in stunted growth.

Beryllium is primarily produced using bertrandite and beryl ores. However, 90% of the current production is derived from bertrandite ore. The rising demand for the metal is anticipated to compel ore mining companies to invest in new sites. However, depleting raw material resources are estimated to be a key concern for the industry.

The rising demand for third-generation and fourth-generation technologies enhancing mobile communications power and bandwidth speed is further expected to drive the product demand. Key opportunities for recycling the metal out of scrap is also expected to provide new opportunities for the market players.

High-purity beryllium is expensive owing to its properties such as high stiffness, lightweight, and high elastic modulus. High cost and lack of product availability to fulfill the demand from application industries across the globe are expected to impel the end-users to replace the product with low- cost substitutes including aluminum, copper alloys, and titanium; which in turn is likely to restrain the market growth.

Application Insights

Aerospace and defense is the major application segment of beryllium and expected to register 5.5% growth on account of superior properties including high strength and lightweight. Its alloys, when used in military jets, increase their maneuverability and provide superior targeting options, which in turn is expected to drive the market for beryllium composites over the forecast period. 

Beryllium is extensively used in cable, high-definition television, and production of connectors used in cell phones & computers on account of its superior electrical insulation and high thermal conductivity. Emerging trends including electronic products miniaturization are expected to drive the demand for the metal in consumer electronics, which in turn is likely to contribute to market growth.

Highly conductive beryllium-copper alloys are employed in electrical and mechanical contacts to enable power transfer. In addition, the product is widely used as a protective material for the signal amplification equipment installed along undersea fiber optic lines across the globe owing to its high strength. These factors are expected to drive product demand in the telecom industry.

The product is widely used in optical, wireless, and fixed transmission tools including wireless receiver stations, network gateway equipment, and broadband cable hubs. In addition, beryllium and its alloys lower the exploration costs in the oil & gas industry and assist in replacing traditional fossil-based fuels with renewable sources, which is likely to drive the product demand.

Regional Insights

North America accounted for over 90% of the global consumption in 2016 owing to high demand from industrial, consumer electronics, and defense sectors. High defense spending coupled with increasing demand for beryllium from the defense & aerospace industry in the U.S. is expected to drive the beryllium market over the forecast period. 

The presence of a limited application industry base in Mexico and Canada leads to the consumption of minimal volume of beryllium. However, the use of beryllium-based products in solar energy-harnessing systems is estimated to register gains on account of the burgeoning solar industry in Canada and the U.S.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness a growth of 1.2% on account of rising imports from China and Japan. The presence of notable beryllium reserves in China is predicted to benefit the market in Asia Pacific. The demand for the product is expected to rise in the consumer electronics industry owing to the presence of manufacturing units of major players such as Foxconn in the region.

Europe accounts for a relatively smaller share, about 7.6%, of the global consumption, and is expected to witness sluggish growth owing to the widespread use of alternatives. However, large import volumes by France is expected to augment market growth in the region. In addition, investment of around USD 30 million by Russia in the exploration of new reserves is expected to drive market growth.

Beryllium Market Share Insights

The global market is highly concentrated in nature with the presence of a few players. Materion Corporation is the only producer in the U.S., and the company is integrated across all the stages of the value chain. With a high production capacity and numerous distribution channels, major market players cater to the global as well as local demand for beryllium.

Major companies including Materion Corporation; Ulba Metallurgical Plant; and NGK Metals Corporation are likely to invest in new manufacturing sites and the renewal of existing production capacities. The depleting deposits of beryl and bertrandite ores have enabled major players to invest heavily in exploration activities to meet rising demand from application industries.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global beryllium market on the basis of application and region;

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilograms; Revenue, USD Thousands; 2014 - 2025)

  • Industrial

  • Consumer Electronics

  • Automotive Electronics

  • Defense

  • Telecommunication

  • Energy

  • Medical

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilograms; Revenue, USD Thousands; 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

  • Europe

    • The U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • Rest of World