Acyclic hydrocarbons market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German market for acyclic hydrocarbons saw significant fluctuations between 2019 and 2024. The market size stood at 4 192 million US dollars in 2019, supported by the entry and growing acceptance of hydrocarbon refrigerants as environmentally friendly alternatives to halogenated substances. This trend continued from 2018, when propane-based refrigerants (R290) first entered the German market through retrofits by craft businesses. However, in 2020 the market contracted sharply to 3 168 million US dollars, a drop of 24%, before recovering to 3 882 million US dollars in 2021.

Growth resumed in 2022, with the market reaching 4 200 million US dollars. This expansion was driven by the market introduction of synthetically produced hydrocarbons (SynZero™), which began production in Hamburg that year, offering higher sustainability standards and replacing fossil-based raw materials. Preparations and political discussions in 2023 on revising the EU F-gas regulation anticipated tighter controls on fluorinated hydrocarbons, influencing the market for alternative refrigerants. By 2024, the market had declined to 3 325 million US dollars. This downturn coincided with the entry into force of EU Regulation 2024/573 in March 2024, which strictly limits fluorinated greenhouse gases and introduces licensing requirements for imports and exports. Additionally, expanded sanctions against Russia prohibited the import or purchase of acyclic hydrocarbons from Russia, a major revenue source for the country, further constraining supply.

Production acyclic hydrocarbons in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's output of acyclic hydrocarbons was valued at 2 730 million US dollars, representing a 14.4% decline compared to 2019.

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

Exports acyclic hydrocarbons from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's exports of acyclic hydrocarbons increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 1 087 thousand tonnes. This marked a 13.2% gain compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 808 thousand tonnes, which saw the largest decline of 22.0%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2019 with an 18.9% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands were the largest buyers of acyclic hydrocarbons from Germany in terms of volume. Belgium accounted for 34.4% of exports, France for 24.8%, and the Netherlands for 21.9%. Together, these three countries formed 81.1% of Germany's total exports in kind.

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

Germany's exports of acyclic hydrocarbons in value terms declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 803 million US dollars. This represented a 13.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 24.3%, equating to an annualized rate of decline of 8.9%.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and the Netherlands were the main markets for Germany's acyclic hydrocarbon exports. Belgium held a 31.9% share, France 25.6%, and the Netherlands 19.5%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 77.0% of total export flows in value.

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

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

Imports acyclic hydrocarbons to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's imports of acyclic hydrocarbons in volume declined in 2020, reaching 1 565 thousand tonnes. This was down by 22.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.1%, with an annualized rate of decline of 2.8%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 008 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Belgium were the primary suppliers of acyclic hydrocarbons to Germany in terms of volume. The Netherlands accounted for 39.1% of imports, the United Kingdom for 14.1%, and Belgium for 10.7%. Together, these three countries made up 63.9% of total imports in kind.

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

Germany's imports of acyclic hydrocarbons in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, standing at 1 241 million US dollars. This marked a steep decline of 35.7% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 22.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.2%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 2 012 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 25.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Belgium remained the central markets for Germany's imports of acyclic hydrocarbons in value terms. Together, these three countries accounted for 64.0% of total import flows.

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

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