Europe: Market for Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye) 2025

Market Size for Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye) in Europe

The Europe market for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) fell dramatically to $X in 2021, shrinking by -21% against the previous year. The total consumption indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, consumption increased by +37.1% against 2019 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

Production of Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye) in Europe

In value terms, production of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) reduced rapidly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a precipitous curtailment. Over the period under review, production of attained the peak level at $X in 2020, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

Exports of Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye)

Exports in Europe

In 2021, overseas shipments of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) decreased by -1.7% to X tons, falling for the third consecutive year after seven years of growth. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 15% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports of remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, exports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) rose to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 38% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Germany (X tons) and the Netherlands (X tons) represented roughly 50% of total exports in 2021. Belgium (X tons) held a 12% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by France (11%), Norway (5.4%) and Hungary (4.9%). Russia (X tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +11.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and Belgium ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2021, with a combined 60% share of total exports.

The Netherlands, with a CAGR of +6.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries 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 Europe stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 4.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, recorded a perceptible downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Norway ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Norway (+0.8%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye)

Imports in Europe

Imports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) reached X tons in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when imports increased by 9.2%. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports of failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) contracted slightly to $X in 2021. Overall, imports showed a slight increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 42%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports of remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the Netherlands (X tons), distantly followed by Finland (X tons), Sweden (X tons), Italy (X tons), Spain (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Germany (X tons), France (X tons) and Austria (X tons) represented the key importers of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye), together generating 81% of total imports.

Imports into the Netherlands increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Belgium (+7.6%), Germany (+7.4%), Spain (+7.2%), Italy (+5.0%) and Finland (+1.7%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belgium emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Europe, with a CAGR of +7.6% 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. From 2012 to 2021, the share of the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Germany increased by +4, +2.4, +2.2 and +2.2 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) importing markets in Europe were the Netherlands ($X), Finland ($X) and Sweden ($X), together accounting for 35% of total imports. France, Italy, Austria, Spain, Belgium and Germany lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 41%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Germany, with a CAGR of +4.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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

In 2021, the import price in Europe amounted to $X per ton, with a decrease of -2.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a mild shrinkage. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 30%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($X per ton), while the Netherlands ($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 (+2.2%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform