Brake fluids and antifreezes market in Slovakia

Earlier Report Observations

Imports of brake fluids and antifreezes into Slovakia declined from 19 329 t in 2018 to 15 846 t in 2021, before surging to over 28 000 t in 2023 and 2024. This sharp increase coincided with rising global demand for brake fluids driven by growth in vehicle production and the expanding electric vehicle market, which requires compatible hydraulic fluids.

Exports fluctuated but reached a peak of 13 241 t in 2023, supported by Slovakia's role as one of the fastest-growing exporters of anti-freezing and de-icing preparations between 2022 and 2023. Domestic production, however, fell from 13 233 t in 2020 to 8 460 t in 2022, contributing to a smaller overall market volume during those years.

The Slovak market is influenced by European Union safety and type-approval regulations for hydraulic brake systems, which mandate specific fluid quality standards. Industry trends toward bio-derived esters and environmentally friendly fluids, driven by EU environmental policies, are also shaping product development and offerings.

Production brake fluids and antifreezes in Slovakia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Annual dynamics of production in Slovakia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports brake fluids and antifreezes from Slovakia

Exports in kind, t

Slovakia's exports of brake fluids and antifreezes rebounded in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The country shipped 10 937 tons that year, marking a significant 28.2% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 9.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 8 534 tons, when exports fell by 9.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Slovakia's brake fluids and antifreezes exports by volume were Czechia, Romania, and Austria. Czechia accounted for 46.3% of exports, Romania for 15.2%, and Austria for 11.0%. Together, these three countries represented 72.5% of Slovakia's total export flows in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Slovakia's brake fluids and antifreezes exports in value terms also recovered in 2020 following a two-year contraction. Exports reached 11 797 thousand US dollars that year, showing a solid 14.0% increase over 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 352 thousand US dollars, when exports declined by 11.6%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Czechia, Romania, and Austria remained the top markets for Slovakia's brake fluids and antifreezes exports by value. Czechia held a 46.5% share, Romania 16.8%, and Austria 10.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 73.4% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports brake fluids and antifreezes to Slovakia

Imports in kind, t

Slovakia's imports of brake fluids and antifreezes by volume declined for the second year in a row in 2020. The country imported 18 314 tons that year, which was 4.1% lower than in 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 9.9%, averaging 3.2% growth per year. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 19 329 tons, when imports surged by 16.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the leading sources for Slovakia's brake fluids and antifreezes imports by volume were Czechia, Germany, and South Korea. Czechia supplied 46.2% of imports, Germany 21.3%, and South Korea 6.1%. These three countries together made up 73.6% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Slovakia's imports of brake fluids and antifreezes in value terms amounted to 25 112 thousand US dollars, showing a modest 0.6% increase compared to 2019. The lowest import value was in 2019 at 24 952 thousand US dollars, when imports dropped by 8.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 27 327 thousand US dollars, following a 9.3% increase that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Czechia, and the Netherlands were the top suppliers of brake fluids and antifreezes to Slovakia in value terms. Germany accounted for 26.2% of imports, Czechia for 23.3%, and the Netherlands for 15.6%. Their combined share reached 65.1% of Slovakia's total import value in this category.

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

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