Ireland: Market for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2024

Market Size for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Ireland

In 2021, the Irish market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. In general, consumption, however, saw a moderate expansion. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Production of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Ireland

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production fell to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 2,073% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports from Ireland

In 2021, shipments abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 4.6% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. In general, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at X tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

France (X tons), the UK (X tons) and Poland (X tons) were the main destinations of cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports from Ireland, with a combined 59% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the United States, Australia, Iceland, Morocco, Cote d'Ivoire and South Africa, which together accounted for a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +226.0%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($X) remains the key foreign market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) exports from Ireland, comprising 41% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Poland ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by the UK, with a 9.4% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to France stood at -3.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Poland (+57.5% per year) and the UK (+5.2% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) export price increased by +69.7% against 2015 indices. As a result, the export price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to France (+5.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports into Ireland

In 2021, supplies from abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 156% to X tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, imports, however, recorded a deep downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 406% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at X tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports surged to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a deep contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 344%. Imports peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, the UK (X tons) was the main supplier of cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) to Ireland, accounting for a 95% share of total imports. It was followed by France (X tons), with a 1.3% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume from the UK stood at -14.9%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (-40.5% per year) and Germany (-46.5% per year).

In value terms, the UK ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) to Ireland, comprising 85% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 1.2% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value from the UK stood at -6.7%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (-42.8% per year) and Germany (-36.9% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the average import price for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) amounted to $X per ton, falling by -35.9% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated a modest expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) import price increased by +23.7% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the average import price increased by 93%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined notably in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for the UK ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+17.9%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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