Iron oxides, hydroxides and iron earth colours market in Poland

Earlier Report Observations

The Polish market for iron oxides, hydroxides and earth colours expanded significantly from 25.1 thousand tons in 2018 to 32.1 thousand tons in 2019.

The market volume then contracted sharply over the following years, dropping to 17.7 thousand tons in 2022 and 14.2 thousand tons in 2023. This downturn was largely attributable to supply chain and production disruptions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, which hampered global trade and industrial activity. Despite the overall decline, the period also saw rising consumer preference for natural and eco-friendly products, which stimulated demand for iron oxide pigments as sustainable alternatives in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. Concurrently, increased research into producing pigments from industrial waste helped lower production costs and reduce environmental impact.

By 2024, the market stabilized at 14.3 thousand tons. Industry developments during this phase included the launch of high-purity specialty pigments such as OxPure™ for the cosmetics industry and the acquisition of German group Heubach by Sudarshan Chemical Industries, signaling further specialization and consolidation in the synthetic pigments segment across Europe.

Production iron oxides, hydroxides and iron earth colours in Poland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2018, Poland's output of iron oxides, hydroxides, and iron earth colors was valued at 4 724 thousand US dollars, marking a significant increase of 216.5% compared to 2017.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2018, Poland produced 12 484 tons of iron oxides, hydroxides, and iron earth colors, representing a gain of 36.6% over the previous year.

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

Exports iron oxides, hydroxides and iron earth colours from Poland

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Poland's cross-border shipments of iron oxides, hydroxides, and iron earth colors reached 5 514 tons, showing a 13.2% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 2.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 0.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 4 872 tons, while the highest was in 2018 at 5 881 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 17.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland's export structure in kind was heavily concentrated on China, which accounted for 82.1% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of iron oxides, hydroxides, and iron earth colors exported from Poland amounted to 8 848 thousand US dollars, reflecting a substantial uptick of 22.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 28.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 14.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China dominated Poland's exports in value terms, capturing 78.0% of total flows, while a fragmented group of other markets accounted for the rest.

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

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

Imports iron oxides, hydroxides and iron earth colours to Poland

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Poland's imports of iron oxides, hydroxides, and iron earth colors in kind declined. In 2020, imports reached 21 968 tons, representing a substantial decrease of 10.4% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 14.1%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 24 505 tons, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 13.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, with 57.2% of imports in kind, Austria at 13.9%, and Asia, not elsewhere specified at 6.1%, consistently remained the main destinations for Poland's imports in kind, together accounting for 77.3% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Poland's imports of iron oxides, hydroxides, and iron earth colors in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 16 085 thousand US dollars, indicating a 3.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.6%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The highest value was in 2018 at 16 869 thousand US dollars, and the largest increase also occurred in 2018, at 1.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for Poland's imports in value terms of iron oxides, hydroxides, and iron earth colors were Germany, with 63.2% of imports, Austria at 6.3%, and China at 4.9%, jointly accounting for 74.3% of total flows.

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

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