Germany: Caustic Soda Market 2025

Caustic Soda Market Size in Germany

In 2021, the German caustic soda market increased by 3.1% to $X, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a pronounced reduction. Caustic soda consumption peaked at $X in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Caustic Soda Production in Germany

In value terms, caustic soda production declined slightly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production recorded a mild slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Caustic soda production peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, production remained at a lower figure.

Caustic Soda Exports

Exports from Germany

In 2021, shipments abroad of caustic soda decreased by -6.7% to X tons, falling for the third year in a row after two years of growth. Over the period under review, total exports indicated modest growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -16.4% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 34%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of X tons. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, caustic soda exports fell to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Finland (X tons) and Austria (X tons) were the main destinations of caustic soda exports from Germany, together accounting for 62% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +4.8%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), Finland ($X) and Austria ($X) constituted the largest markets for caustic soda exported from Germany worldwide, together accounting for 59% of total exports. These countries were followed by Sweden, Belgium, France and the UK, which together accounted for a further 24%.

Among the main countries of destination, Sweden, with a CAGR of +3.1%, 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

In 2021, the average caustic soda export price amounted to $X per ton, leveling off at the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a noticeable downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average export price increased by 7.9% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat for the major export markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the countries with the highest prices were Austria ($X per ton) and Sweden ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Belgium ($X per ton) and the UK ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Sweden (+0.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Caustic Soda Imports

Imports into Germany

Caustic soda imports into Germany fell slightly to X tons in 2021, which is down by -4.5% on the previous year. In general, total imports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +83.3% against 2012 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Imports peaked at X tons in 2020, and then declined slightly in the following year.

In value terms, caustic soda imports shrank markedly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports decreased by -34.0% against 2018 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 47%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Belgium (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of caustic soda imports to Germany, together accounting for 88% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +11.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Belgium ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X) appeared to be the largest caustic soda suppliers to Germany, with a combined 80% share of total imports. These countries were followed by Poland, Austria, the Czech Republic and Switzerland, which together accounted for a further 13%.

Poland, with a CAGR of +10.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average caustic soda import price amounted to $X per ton, reducing by -19.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable curtailment. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 30% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2019 to 2021, the average import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Czech Republic ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($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 (+6.5%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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