EU: Caustic Soda Market 2024

Caustic Soda Market Size in the EU

In 2021, the EU caustic soda market decreased by -1.7% to $X, falling for the third consecutive year after three years of growth. In general, consumption showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Caustic Soda Production in the EU

In value terms, caustic soda production rose to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 15%. The level of production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, the amount of caustic soda exported in the European Union totaled X tons, remaining constant against the year before. Total exports indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -4.2% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, caustic soda exports amounted to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -25.6% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 35%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) were the major exporters of caustic soda in the European Union, together achieving 56% of total exports. Belgium (X tons) held a 14% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by France (12%) and Hungary (5.7%). The following exporters - Poland (X tons) and Romania (X tons) - together made up 7% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Belgium (with a CAGR of +11.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest caustic soda supplying countries in the European Union were Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X), together comprising 65% of total exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +6.9%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in the European Union stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 7.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 20%. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (-1.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, after two years of decline, there was growth in overseas purchases of caustic soda, when their volume increased by 0.1% to X tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, caustic soda imports declined modestly to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a slight increase from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -30.0% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 41%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons), distantly followed by Finland (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Germany (X tons), France (X tons), Italy (X tons), Spain (X tons) and Austria (X tons) represented the main importers of caustic soda, together comprising 84% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to caustic soda imports into the Netherlands stood at +5.1%. At the same time, Germany (+7.0%), Belgium (+6.5%), Spain (+5.6%), Italy (+3.3%) and Finland (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Germany emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +7.0% from 2012-2021. Sweden and France experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Austria (-1.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The Netherlands (+3.4 p.p.), Germany (+2 p.p.) and Belgium (+1.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the total imports, while Finland, Sweden, Austria and France saw its share reduced by -1.8%, -2.1%, -3.2% and -3.2% from 2012 to 2021, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest caustic soda importing markets in the European Union were the Netherlands ($X), Finland ($X) and Sweden ($X), together accounting for 35% of total imports. These countries were followed by France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium and Austria, which together accounted for a further 44%.

Germany, with a CAGR of +3.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, dropping by -1.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 27%. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+2.3%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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