Italy: Market for Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye) 2024

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

The Italian market for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) amounted to $X in 2021, increasing by 14% against the previous year. The market value 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 in certain years. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, consumption failed to regain momentum.

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

In value terms, production of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) declined remarkably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a precipitous shrinkage. Production of peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell significantly in the following year.

Exports of Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye)

Exports from Italy

In 2021, overseas shipments of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) decreased by -42.3% to X tons, falling for the second consecutive year after two years of growth. Overall, exports, however, enjoyed resilient growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 310% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports of reached the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, exports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) declined markedly to $X in 2021. In general, exports, however, continue to indicate a prominent expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 286%. The exports peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports by Country

Austria (X tons) was the main destination for exports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) from Italy, with a 60% share of total exports. Moreover, exports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) to Austria exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Spain (X tons), fivefold. Switzerland (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 10% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to Austria totaled +59.1%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+90.8% per year) and Switzerland (-0.2% per year).

In value terms, Austria ($X) remains the key foreign market for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) exports from Italy, comprising 52% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($X), with a 13% share of total exports. It was followed by Switzerland, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to Austria totaled +59.0%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Spain (+73.4% per year) and Switzerland (+3.8% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average export price for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 18% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average export price increased by 41% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2018 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Austria ($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 Switzerland (+4.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Caustic Soda in Aqueous Solution (Soda Lye)

Imports into Italy

Imports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) into Italy rose remarkably to X tons in 2021, increasing by 6% on the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports of attained the maximum at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, imports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 35%. Imports peaked at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2021, France (X tons) constituted the largest supplier of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) to Italy, with a 27% share of total imports. Moreover, imports of caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) from France exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Egypt (X tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Ukraine (X tons), with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from France totaled +4.3%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Egypt (+3.1% per year) and Ukraine (+28.9% per year).

In value terms, France ($X), Ukraine ($X) and Egypt ($X) were the largest caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) suppliers to Italy, together comprising 56% of total imports. The Netherlands, India, Belgium, Qatar, Austria, the UK, Romania, Hungary, Germany and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 40%.

In terms of the main suppliers, Hungary, with a CAGR of +102.5%, saw the highest growth rate of 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 average import price for caustic soda in aqueous solution (soda lye) amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 23% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a noticeable descent. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 an increase of 45% against the previous year. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while the price for France ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+4.3%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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