MEA and its salts market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for monoethanolamine and its salts experienced notable changes between 2018 and 2024. Import values, which hovered around 10–12 thousand K $ US in the late 2010s, surged to over 22 thousand K $ US in 2021 and peaked near 25 thousand K $ US in 2022, before declining to 19.6 thousand K $ US in 2023 and 16.1 thousand K $ US in 2024. Exports rose to a high in 2021 before easing, while domestic production remained stable between 1.9 and 2.1 thousand K $ US from 2021 to 2023. The market size expanded from 20.7 million $ in 2021 to 23.0 million $ in 2022, then contracted to 18.8 million $ in 2023.

Growth in 2021 and 2022 was driven by rising demand from the cosmetics and personal care industry, where MEA serves as a wetting and dispersing agent, and from pharmaceutical formulations requiring high purity. Additionally, evolving environmental regulations and technological advances promoted MEA's use in carbon capture and storage (CCS) and sustainable chemicals, supporting market expansion. The contraction in 2023 was influenced by global volatility in raw material prices, particularly for ethylene oxide and ammonia, which increased production costs and affected market prices.

Throughout the period, regulatory frameworks such as the EU's REACH regulation and Spanish national decrees on chemical safety and labeling shaped market conditions. Sustainability initiatives and policies favoring biodegradable chemicals further influenced innovation and product development, as the market adapted to supply chain and economic factors.

Production MEA and its salts in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

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

Exports MEA and its salts from Spain

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Spain's exports of mEA and its salts declined in 2020. The country exported 1 376 tons that year, representing a slight decrease of 2.7% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 32.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.8%. The peak volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 414 tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 30.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Algeria, and Portugal were significant buyers of mEA and its salts from Spain, accounting for 27.3%, 10.5%, and 8.2% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share reached only 46.0% of total exports, with the remaining 54.0% distributed among numerous other trading partners.

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

Following two years of increase, Spain's exports of mEA and its salts in value terms declined in 2020. The country exported 2 083 thousand US dollars worth of these products that year, reflecting a sharp drop of 27.7% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value rose by 14%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 2 881 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 56.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Algeria, and Portugal were among the largest buyers of mEA and its salts from Spain in value terms, representing 24.7%, 9.7%, and 6.6% of exports, respectively. Even combined, these three countries accounted for just 41.0% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports MEA and its salts to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's imports of mEA and its salts in kind saw a robust increase in 2020, reaching approximately 8 981 tons, which marked a 12.9% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 16.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with an 8.6% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three principal markets—Germany, Belgium, and Mexico—together accounted for 71.6% of Spain's total imports in kind of mEA and its salts.

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 imports of mEA and its salts in value terms declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 10 183 thousand US dollars, indicating a slight decrease of 1.5% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 2.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 0.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 11 818 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 19.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 12.5% drop.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three principal markets—Germany, Belgium, and Mexico—together accounted for 69.6% of Spain's total imports in value terms of mEA and its salts.

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

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