Hydrogen chloride market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, the Spanish hydrogen chloride market was supported by steady demand from the oil & gas and steel industries for pickling processes, maintaining a market volume near 199 000 t. The acquisition of Malgrat Pharma Chemicals by AGC Chemicals Americas in early 2019 enhanced active pharmaceutical ingredient production capabilities, though overall output dipped slightly. However, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly reduced domestic demand, causing the market volume to fall to 129 000 t despite a rise in production.

After 2020, market recovery was driven by returning demand from key industrial consumers. Technological advances in production processes by 2022 improved efficiency, safety, and product purity, boosting the competitiveness of Spanish hydrogen chloride on the international stage. This led to a sharp increase in exports, which peaked at 393 000 t in 2022. Sustained demand from core sectors in subsequent years kept export volumes elevated, while imports gradually declined.

Production hydrogen chloride in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Spain, hydrogen chloride production reached a value of 13,262 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking a 3.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 24.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 7.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 15,304 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 16.1%, while the largest increase was in 2018, at 43.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Spain produced 93,403 tonnes of hydrogen chloride in 2020, showing a substantial increase of 40.5% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 76.2%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 20.8%. The most notable decline was in 2019, at 11.6%, whereas the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a jump of 41.9%.

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

Exports hydrogen chloride from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 13.5 thousand tonnes, while the maximum reached 77.5 thousand tonnes in 2020, representing a 5.7-fold difference between these years. In 2020, foreign hydrogen chloride supplies from Spain surged to 77.5 thousand tonnes, a dramatic increase of 324.8% from the previous year. The largest decline was in 2018, at 39.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Ireland, and Portugal were the leading destinations for hydrogen chloride exports from Spain in terms of volume. France accounted for 32.2% of exports, Ireland for 31.0%, and Portugal for 14.2%. Together, these three countries made up 77.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Exported hydrogen chloride volumes from Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export value amounted to 6,068 thousand US dollars, up by 77.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 137.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 33.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Portugal, and the Netherlands emerged as the main markets for hydrogen chloride exports from Spain in value terms. France represented 32.6% of exports, Portugal 14.3%, and the Netherlands 6.6%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 53.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports hydrogen chloride to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, cross-border shipments of hydrogen chloride to Spain declined. In 2020, imports were recorded at 113.6 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp decrease of 27.9% from the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 35.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 10.6%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 157.5 thousand tonnes, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 63.4%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany and Portugal were the key partner countries for hydrogen chloride imports into Spain in terms of volume, together accounting for 82.2% of total flows. Other partners made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Foreign hydrogen chloride supplies to Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the import value totaled 4,474 thousand US dollars, indicating an abrupt contraction of 29.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 8.3%, which corresponds to an annualized growth rate of 2.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 6,654 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase also in 2018, at 61.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Portugal, and France were the primary suppliers of hydrogen chloride to Spain in value terms. Germany accounted for 39.9% of imports, Portugal for 28.9%, and France for 13.2%. Together, these three countries represented 82.0% of total import flows.

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

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