Cationic surfactants market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German cationic surfactants market volume declined to 51 400 tonnes in 2019 before recovering to 61 130 tonnes in 2020. This growth was driven by an 8.1% increase in European production of organic surface-active agents and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which altered consumer demand and caused supply chain disruptions. Additionally, the market was influenced by a shift toward sustainable alternatives and innovations in surfactant technology.

After 2020, imports of cationic surfactants into Germany fluctuated, with European production reaching a record 534 000 tonnes in 2021, indicating strong market activity. The following year, 2022, saw the strongest growth in import value in US dollar terms, supported by a 6.4% expansion in the global cationic surfactants market value. By 2024, worldwide market sizes contracted, though German import volumes increased slightly, reflecting mixed influences from global supply chain issues and price volatility.

Production cationic surfactants in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, Germany's cationic surfactants production increased in value terms. In 2020, output reached 139.1 million US dollars, marking a 7.6% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 129.2 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 11.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

After a two-year decrease, Germany's cationic surfactants production increased in volume. In 2020, 77,046 tonnes were produced, representing a 9.2% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -1.2%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 70,566 tonnes, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 7.3%.

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

Exports cationic surfactants from Germany

Exports in kind, t

Following a two-year advance, Germany's cationic surfactants exports declined in volume. In 2020, exports totaled 23,998 tonnes, a 12.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 9.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -3.3%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 27,288 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's cationic surfactants exports in volume were distributed across a broad partner portfolio. Hungary accounted for 20.5% of exports, Poland for 17.7%, and Bulgaria for 8.2%, with these three countries together representing 46.4% of total flows.

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, K $ US

After a two-year fall, Germany's cationic surfactants exports increased in value. In 2020, export volume totaled 59,813 thousand US dollars, indicating a 3.1% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -1.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 58,027 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 5.8%.

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

During 2017-2020, Germany's cationic surfactants exports in value terms were allocated across numerous markets. Hungary accounted for 12.3% of exports, Poland for 11.2%, and Italy for 6.5%, with these three countries jointly accounting for 30.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports cationic surfactants to Germany

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany's cationic surfactants imports totaled 8,082 tonnes, showing negligible variation compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 23.9%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 8,122 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 24.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, France, and Switzerland stood out as the main sources for Germany's cationic surfactants imports in volume. Sweden accounted for 31.7% of imports, France for 15.4%, and Switzerland for 10.7%, together representing 57.8% of total flows.

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, K $ US

Germany's cationic surfactants imports increased for the second consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, imports totaled 20,621 thousand US dollars, showing no material difference compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 20,621 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 2.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 2.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sweden, Switzerland, and France were the principal sources for Germany's cationic surfactants imports in value terms. Sweden accounted for 29.4% of imports, Switzerland for 16.9%, and France for 13.3%, jointly accounting for 59.7% 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