Hypochlorites, chlorites and hypobromites market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for hypochlorites began the period with regulatory adjustments, as a European norm effective in late 2017 forced the closure of some sodium hypochlorite production plants that failed to upgrade technology. This initially constrained capacity, but in 2019, Bondalti resumed chlor-alkali production in Madrid, adding new sodium hypochlorite output to the market. The following year, the COVID-19 pandemic sharply increased demand for disinfectants, driving domestic production volume up from 84.1 thousand tons in 2019 to 156.6 thousand tons in 2020, while market size held steady near 127 thousand tons.

Market growth accelerated significantly from 2021, when the European Commission approved hypochlorous acid for use in type 1 biocides, opening new commercial applications. This regulatory approval helped push production to 257.6 thousand tons and market volume to 206.5 thousand tons that year. The trend continued in 2022 with further approvals for hypochlorous acid in additional biocidal product types and the introduction of Royal Decree 487/2022, which strengthened sanitary requirements for legionellosis prevention and sustained demand for disinfectants in water systems. As a result, production reached 261.6 thousand tons and market size peaked at 238.7 thousand tons.

By 2023, despite new production investments such as Ercros' sodium chlorite facility in Sabiñánigo and acquisitions that consolidated market positions, domestic market volume began to recede, falling to 228.9 thousand tons. In 2024, production remained stable at 256.3 thousand tons, but the market size declined further to 207.9 thousand tons as growing exports, which exceeded 100 thousand tons for the first time, absorbed a larger share of output.

Production hypochlorites, chlorites and hypobromites in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Spain's production of hypochlorites, chlorites, and hypobromites has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output was valued at 89 017 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp increase of 49.8% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 119.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 30.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Spain produced 156.6 thousand tonnes of hypochlorites, chlorites, and hypobromites, which represents an 86.3% increase compared to the year before.

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

Exports hypochlorites, chlorites and hypobromites from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

After declining for two years, Spain's exports of hypochlorites, chlorites, and hypobromites rebounded in 2020, reaching 64.3 thousand tonnes—a 35.2% rise from 2019. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 4.5%, averaging a 1.5% annual decrease. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 47.6 thousand tonnes, while the steepest drop occurred in 2018 with a 25.1% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Italy, and Portugal were the primary destinations for Spain's exports of hypochlorites, chlorites, and hypobromites in volume terms. France accounted for 63.1% of exports, Italy for 9.7%, and Portugal for 7.3%, together making up 80.1% 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

In 2020, Spain's exports of hypochlorites, chlorites, and hypobromites in value terms amounted to 26 793 thousand US dollars, showing a significant increase of 19.9% over 2019. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 35.2%, with an average annual rate of 10.6%. The largest decline was seen in 2019, with a 1.5% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Italy, and Germany were the leading markets for Spain's exports of hypochlorites, chlorites, and hypobromites in value terms. France held a 33.4% share, Italy 19.5%, and Germany 8.8%, collectively representing 61.6% of total export value.

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

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

Imports hypochlorites, chlorites and hypobromites to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Import volumes of hypochlorites, chlorites, and hypobromites into Spain showed significant volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports stood at 34.7 thousand tonnes, a sharp decrease of 61.6% from 2019. The peak was reached in 2018 at 118.3 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase that year at 75.0%. Over the period from 2018 to 2020, imports fluctuated widely, with a 3.4-fold difference between the highest and lowest points.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal was the dominant source for Spain's imports of hypochlorites, chlorites, and hypobromites in volume terms, accounting for 80.8% of total imports. The remaining volume was distributed among various other countries.

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

Spain's import value for hypochlorites, chlorites, and hypobromites displayed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. In 2020, imports totaled 9 243 thousand US dollars, a 49.9% decrease from 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 20 277 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 86.3%. Between 2018 and 2020, import values varied by 2.2 times from peak to trough.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Portugal, China, and France were the key partners for Spain's imports of hypochlorites, chlorites, and hypobromites in value terms. Portugal contributed 60.0% of import value, China 8.7%, and France 6.9%, together making up 75.5% 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