Barytes market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The natural barium sulphate market in Western Europe contracted sharply in 2019, with volume falling from 517.5 thousand tonnes to 234 thousand tonnes. This decline was primarily driven by stricter environmental regulations that affected mining operations and raw material supply, coupled with volatile raw material prices that increased production costs. Subsequently, the market recovered gradually, reaching 290.9 thousand tonnes by 2022, supported by consistent demand from the oil and gas industry for drilling fluids, as well as from the paints and coatings and pharmaceutical sectors.

Technological advancements in related fields such as electronics, including the rollout of 5G and IoT, have increased the need for barium sulphate-based materials. Furthermore, regional infrastructure development and construction projects in Europe have bolstered industrial consumption. Recent market developments include capacity expansions by major producers like Huntsman, which in 2024 increased its global precipitated barium sulphate capacity by 20% to serve specialty coatings and polymer markets, and innovation projects by European chemical manufacturers to introduce surface-modified grades for enhanced performance in masterbatches.

Production barytes in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of barytes, 2017-2020

World map of production of barytes, 2017-2020

Barytes production in Western Europe has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 101.7 K t of barytes, representing a year-over-year decrease of 3.6%. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 55.5%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 23.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 299.9 K t. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 64.8% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, rising by 31.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Western Europe in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Output value reached its peak in 2018 at 113.7 M $ US, then dropped to its lowest point in 2019 at 37.2 M $ US, creating a gap of 3.1 times between these years. In 2020, barytes output in Western Europe was valued at 37.7 M $ US, marking a slight increase of 1.1% compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline was recorded in 2019 at 67.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 21.4%.

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

Exports barytes from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Following two consecutive years of growth, barytes export volumes from Western Europe declined. In 2020, export volume stood at 103.7 K t, representing a significant decrease of 20.9% from the previous year. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 131.1 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Russia were the leading destinations for barytes exports in kind from Western Europe. Norway accounted for 42.0% of exports, the United Kingdom for 13.4%, and Russia for 3.7%. Together, these three countries represented 59.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Barytes exports from Western Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value totaled 38 407 K $ US, marking a year-over-year decrease of 17.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 8.8%, which equates to an annualized decline rate of 3.0%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 47 898 K $ US, while the largest increase occurred in the same year, rising by 13.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Russia were among the largest buyers of barytes from Western Europe in value terms. Norway accounted for 26.2% of exports, the United Kingdom for 12.4%, and Russia for 4.1%. However, even combined, these three countries represented just 42.8% of total export value, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports barytes to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, barytes imports to Western Europe amounted to 260.1 K t, showing minimal change compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 7.4%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 2.5%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 259.6 K t, while the highest was in 2018 at 343.9 K t. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 24.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 22.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Morocco, and Bulgaria were the main sources of barytes imports in kind to Western Europe. China accounted for 34.9% of imports, Morocco for 29.8%, and Bulgaria for 9.4%. Together, these three countries represented 74.1% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of barytes imports to Western Europe totaled 66 123 K $ US, up by 0.7% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 65 685 K $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 82 490 K $ US. The most substantial decline occurred in 2019, falling by 20.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, rising by 18.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Western Europe in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, China, Morocco, and Spain were the main destinations for barytes imports in value terms to Western Europe. China accounted for 35.9% of imports, Morocco for 14.0%, and Spain for 11.0%. Together, these three countries absorbed 60.9% of total import value.

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

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