Acetic acid market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the acetic acid market in Germany contracted, with its size falling from 291.3 million US dollars to 221.7 million US dollars.

A recovery followed in 2021, lifting the market to 298.1 million US dollars, and growth continued to a peak of 357.2 million US dollars in 2022. This expansion was supported by rising demand for vinyl acetate monomer, a major derivative used in construction and textiles, which increased consumption of acetic acid. Additionally, stricter environmental regulations and a focus on sustainable manufacturing drove investment into low-carbon production and circular economy practices, further stimulating the market through the growth of the bio-acetic acid segment.

After the 2022 peak, the market size declined to 288.8 million US dollars in 2023 and then to 222.3 million US dollars in 2024. During this period, the industry maintained its focus on sustainable and low-carbon production methods to meet environmental standards, even as overall market volume decreased.

Production acetic acid in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Germany, the output of acetic acid was valued at 42,589 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 22.8% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 25%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports acetic acid from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Germany's cross-border shipments of acetic acid rebounded in 2020. The export volume reached 27.0 thousand tonnes, showing a significant improvement of 44.3% from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 17.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 18.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Belgium, Italy, and Denmark—collectively absorbed 52.1% of Germany's total acetic acid exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, acetic acid deliveries from Germany reached 22.8 million US dollars, a 4.6% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 4.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 24.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 12.4%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 10.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of Germany's acetic acid exports in value terms was highly diversified. Belgium accounted for 14.1% of exports, Italy for 10.3%, and Denmark for 9.8%, together making up only 34.1% of total flows. The remaining 65.9% was formed by a long tail of smaller markets.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports acetic acid to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Acetic acid deliveries to Germany declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports stood at 424.8 thousand tonnes, down by 6.3% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 2.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 0.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 483.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 11.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Belgium, and the United Kingdom were the principal suppliers of acetic acid to Germany in volume terms. The United States accounted for 39.8% of imports, Belgium for 25.5%, and the United Kingdom for 22.7%, jointly representing 88.1% of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The volume of acetic acid imports to Germany declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Imports were recorded at 201.9 million US dollars, showing a strong decrease of 11.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 2.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 0.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 279.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 41.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 18.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Belgium played leading roles in Germany's acetic acid imports in value terms. The United States accounted for 39.8% of imports, the United Kingdom for 24.2%, and Belgium for 23.0%, jointly taking 87.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020