Spain: Market for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2025

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

For the third year in a row, the Spanish market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) recorded decline in sales value, which decreased by -4.5% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption showed a drastic downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 6.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

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

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production declined modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a deep slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 6.4% against the previous year. Cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production peaked at $X in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports from Spain

In 2021, shipments abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 31% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after three years of decline. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +65.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 72% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of X tons. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.8% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +95.8% against 2019 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 66%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Portugal (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Turkey (X tons) were the main destinations of cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports from Spain, together comprising 62% of total exports. These countries were followed by Thailand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria, the UK and France, which together accounted for a further 22%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Thailand (with a CAGR of +100.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($X), Portugal ($X) and Turkey ($X) were the largest markets for cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exported from Spain worldwide, with a combined 54% share of total exports. These countries were followed by Thailand, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Bulgaria and France, which together accounted for a further 23%.

Thailand, with a CAGR of +84.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main countries of destination 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 export price for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 19% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the average export price increased by 19%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $X per ton. From 2015 to 2021, the average export prices remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was the UK ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Portugal ($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 Portugal (+2.4%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports into Spain

In 2021, approx. X tons of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) were imported into Spain; which is down by -5.7% against the year before. Over the period under review, imports showed a pronounced decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 60%. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports stood at $X in 2021. In general, imports showed a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 63% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Italy (X tons), Germany (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports to Spain, together comprising 59% of total imports. These countries were followed by Sweden, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United States and the UK, which together accounted for a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +10.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X) constituted the largest supplier of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) to Spain, comprising 38% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by Sweden, with a 15% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value from Germany stood at -4.0%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: France (-3.3% per year) and Sweden (+7.6% per year).

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) stood at $X per ton in 2021, with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2021, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the average import price increased by 19%. The import price peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the price for Italy ($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 (+6.1%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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