Nitric acid and sulphonitric acids market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the German market for nitric acid and sulphonitric acids contracted, with its total value falling from $104.1 million to $87.3 million. Production also declined in 2020 after a period of stability.

A strong recovery followed in 2021 and 2022, driving production to $152.0 million and the market size to $151.3 million. This growth coincided with a reported 25% surge in European production capacity and heightened demand, partly linked to the ongoing implementation of the EU Nitrate Directive, which affects agricultural use of nitric acid in fertilizers.

By 2024, the market adjusted to a value of $105.1 million as new regulations took hold. The EU Regulation 2023/2108, with compliance deadlines in early 2024, and Germany's Precursor Substances Act (Ausgangsstoffgesetz), which tightens controls on chemicals used in explosives, introduced new operational frameworks for producers and users.

Production nitric acid and sulphonitric acids in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's production of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids declined after two years of growth. In 2019, output reached its peak at 110.8 million US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 93.3 million US dollars, representing a 15.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.2%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.1%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Production of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids in Germany declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output stood at 268.6 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.7% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.4%.

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

Exports nitric acid and sulphonitric acids from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Germany's exports of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids declined. In 2019, exports peaked at 239.3 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 they had dropped to 158.0 thousand tonnes, a 34.0% decrease year-on-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 13.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.3%. The largest year-on-year increase was recorded in 2019, when exports rose by 64.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—Belgium, France, and the Netherlands—together accounted for 80.3% of Germany's total exports of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Germany's exports of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids declined after two years of growth. In 2019, export value reached its highest point at 37 680 thousand US dollars, but by 2020 it had fallen to 29 218 thousand US dollars, a significant 22.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 11.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.7%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when export value rose by 29.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and Switzerland remained the main buyers of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids from Germany in value terms. Belgium accounted for 36.3% of exports, France for 15.6%, and Switzerland for 7.4%. Together, these three countries formed 59.3% of Germany's total export value for these products.

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

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

Imports nitric acid and sulphonitric acids to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids increased for the second consecutive year. In 2018, imports hit their lowest point at 117.4 thousand tonnes, but by 2020 they had risen to 146.8 thousand tonnes, showing no significant change compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2018, when imports fell by 26.6%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019, with a rise of 24.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium, Austria, and Czechia continued to be the main suppliers of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids to Germany in volume terms. Belgium accounted for 52.7% of imports, Austria for 14.4%, and Czechia for 11.7%. Together, these three countries formed 78.8% of Germany's total import volume for these products.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Germany's imports of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids amounted to 23 171 thousand US dollars, representing a 7.7% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 10.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.5%. In 2018, import value reached its lowest point at 23 037 thousand US dollars, with the largest year-on-year decline of 10.7% occurring that year. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, when import value rose by 9.0%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Belgium, France, and Austria formed the core of Germany's imports of nitric acid and sulphonitric acids in value terms. Belgium accounted for 41.8% of imports, France for 18.5%, and Austria for 13.0%. Together, these three countries took 73.3% of Germany's total import value for these products.

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

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