Mineral wool market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Spanish mineral wool market experienced growth in sales during 2018, as noted by the industry association AFELMA. Alterations to commercial legislation in 2019 modified business operations, while the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted supply chains and softened demand, contributing to a decline in imports to 20.6 thousand tonnes and exports to 77.2 thousand tonnes.

Starting in 2021, the enforcement of new EU energy efficiency standards for buildings stimulated demand for insulation materials like mineral wool, alongside the implementation of stringent passive fire protection regulations. However, the war in Ukraine and the subsequent global energy crisis in 2022 escalated production and distribution costs, resulting in a decrease in market volume to 83.6 thousand tonnes, even as the market's value increased to $101.4 million due to higher prices.

Market volume rebounded to 87.5 thousand tonnes in 2023, aided by a reported 2.4% rise in mineral wool sales and government interventions to lower electricity expenses. In 2024, the enactment of an administrative simplification law facilitated business activities, supporting further volume growth to 100.5 thousand tonnes, although the market value saw a slight reduction to $128.5 million under persistent inflationary pressures.

Production mineral wool in Spain

According to Faostat, there is no production of mineral wool in Spain.

Exports mineral wool from Spain

Exports in kind, t

After two consecutive years of growth, Spain's cross-border shipments of mineral wool declined. In 2020, exports stood at 77 244 tonnes, representing a significant year-over-year decrease of 14.1%. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 6.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.0%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 89 874 tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 19.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—France, Portugal, and Morocco—collectively accounted for 84.6% of Spain's total mineral wool exports in volume terms.

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 expansion, Spain's mineral wool export value declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 54 861 thousand US dollars, marking a substantial decrease of 19.7% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.7%. The peak value was reached in 2019 at 68 280 thousand US dollars, and the most significant annual increase was observed in 2018 with a rise of 20.1%.

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

During the 2017–2020 period, the top destinations for Spain's mineral wool exports in value terms were France (54.6% of total export value), Portugal (15.5%), and Morocco (8.9%). Together, these three countries represented 79.0% of Spain's 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 mineral wool to Spain

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Spain's imports of mineral wool reached 20 633 tonnes, reflecting a decline of 26.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 26.1%, corresponding to an average annual decline of 9.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 27 968 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 7.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France (27.4% of import volume), Slovenia (17.5%), and Portugal (15.9%) constituted the core sources for Spain's mineral wool imports in kind, collectively accounting for 60.8% of total import flows.

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

After two years of growth, Spain's mineral wool import value declined. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 32 742 thousand US dollars, indicating a decrease of 19.9% over the past year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value increased by 18.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.9%. The maximum value was achieved in 2019 at 40 877 thousand US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with a rise of 28.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three principal markets—France, Slovenia, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 50.3% of Spain's total mineral wool imports in value terms.

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

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