Global Chlorine Market: Anticipated 1.5% CAGR Growth Expected to Reach $21.8B by 2030

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Driven by increasing demand for chlorine worldwide, the market is projected to see a slight growth in performance, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.5% for volume and +3.0% for value from 2023 to 2030. This growth trend is expected to bring the market volume to 17M tons and market value to $21.8B by the end of 2030.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for chlorine worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next seven-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 17M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.0% for the period from 2023 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $21.8B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Chlorine

In 2023, consumption of chlorine increased by 1.5% to 16M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a mild downturn. Global consumption peaked at 22M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2023, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global chlorine market size rose rapidly to $17.7B in 2023, with an increase of 6.9% 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). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2013 to 2023; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $18.1B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2023, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2023 were the United States (3.3M tons), China (2.9M tons) and Germany (2M tons), together accounting for 52% of global consumption. India, Japan, Russia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 20%.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by the UK (with a CAGR of +3.5%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($6.8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($2.1B). It was followed by China.

In Japan, the chlorine market increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2013-2023. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+6.9% per year) and China (+1.6% per year).

In 2023, the highest levels of chlorine per capita consumption was registered in Germany (24 kg per person), followed by the United States (9.8 kg per person), the UK (4.5 kg per person) and Japan (4.3 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of chlorine was estimated at 2 kg per person.

In Germany, chlorine per capita consumption plunged by an average annual rate of -1.4% over the period from 2013-2023. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+2.8% per year) and the UK (+2.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Chlorine

In 2023, production of chlorine increased by 0.4% to 15M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a slight setback. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 22M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2023, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, chlorine production rose sharply to $17.7B in 2023 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% over the period from 2013 to 2023; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the production volume increased by 11% against the previous year. Global production peaked in 2023 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2023 were China (2.9M tons), the United States (2.1M tons) and Germany (2M tons), with a combined 45% share of global production. India, Canada, Japan, Russia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

From 2013 to 2023, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +9.3%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Chlorine

For the third consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in purchases abroad of chlorine, which increased by 15% to 1.5M tons in 2023. Overall, imports showed a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when imports increased by 106%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum in 2023 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, chlorine imports rose remarkably to $348M in 2023. Over the period under review, imports posted resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when imports increased by 43% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2023 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The United States dominates imports structure, resulting at 1.2M tons, which was approx. 80% of total imports in 2023. The following importers - Mexico (35K tons), Hungary (29K tons) and Belgium (26K tons) - each amounted to a 6% share of total imports.

The United States was also the fastest-growing in terms of the chlorine imports, with a CAGR of +12.5% from 2013 to 2023. At the same time, Mexico (+11.4%) and Belgium (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Hungary (-4.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2023, the share of the United States increased by +25 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($172M) constitutes the largest market for imported chlorine worldwide, comprising 49% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Mexico ($11M), with a 3.3% share of global imports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 2.1% share.

In the United States, chlorine imports expanded at an average annual rate of +10.8% over the period from 2013-2023. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mexico (+15.0% per year) and Belgium (+0.3% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average chlorine import price stood at $233 per ton in 2023, waning by -6.3% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a slight decline. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when the average import price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $359 per ton in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2023, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($328 per ton), while the United States ($144 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+3.5%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Chlorine

For the third year in a row, the global market recorded growth in shipments abroad of chlorine, which increased by 2.3% to 1.3M tons in 2023. In general, exports recorded buoyant growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when exports increased by 110% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2023 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, chlorine exports totaled $301M in 2023. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 50%. The global exports peaked in 2023 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

Canada dominates exports structure, amounting to 936K tons, which was near 73% of total exports in 2023. It was distantly followed by Mexico (88K tons), achieving a 6.9% share of total exports. France (39K tons), Thailand (23K tons) and Belgium (22K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2013 to 2023, average annual rates of growth with regard to chlorine exports from Canada stood at +10.8%. At the same time, Belgium (+46.3%), Mexico (+11.8%) and Thailand (+11.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belgium emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +46.3% from 2013-2023. By contrast, France (-4.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2013 to 2023, the share of Canada, Mexico and Belgium increased by +23, +2.5 and +1.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Canada ($140M) remains the largest chlorine supplier worldwide, comprising 46% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($14M), with a 4.7% share of global exports. It was followed by France, with a 4.5% share.

In Canada, chlorine exports increased at an average annual rate of +9.9% over the period from 2013-2023. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Mexico (+5.7% per year) and France (+0.2% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average chlorine export price stood at $236 per ton in 2023, remaining stable against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 12%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $333 per ton. From 2020 to 2023, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2023, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Belgium ($487 per ton), while Canada ($149 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+4.8%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform