Non-ionic surfactants market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the Spanish non-ionic surfactants market experienced shifting dynamics in volume terms, with consumption peaking at 147.5 K t in 2020 before receding to 116.3 K t by 2022. In value terms, however, the market demonstrated consistent growth, reaching 289.9 M $ US in 2022, indicating a shift towards higher-value products. This trend was partly driven by growing demand for sustainable and biodegradable surfactants, particularly in personal care and detergent formulations, valued for their skin compatibility and environmental profile.

The market expansion in 2020 was supported by increased demand for non-ionic surfactants due to their high compatibility with other ingredients and their use in personal care and cleaning products, alongside a broader industry trend towards natural, plant-based surfactants to meet ecological certifications like EU-Ecolabel. Subsequent years saw regulatory developments that shaped the market environment. The implementation of EU Regulation 2026/405, which prohibits animal testing for detergents and surfactants and introduces stricter labeling rules, likely contributed to market adjustments and a focus on compliant, sustainable formulations from 2022 onward.

Further regulatory updates, including revised professional exposure limits for chemical agents in Spain and new waste and packaging rules, continued to define the operating framework for producers in 2023 and 2024, emphasizing safety and environmental compliance within the industry.

Production non-ionic surfactants in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's non-ionic surfactants production was valued at 161.9 million US dollars, showing a slight increase of 0.6% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production declined by 4.9%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 1.7%. The lowest production value was recorded in 2019 at 160.9 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 184.7 million US dollars. The most significant drop occurred in 2019 with a 12.9% decrease, whereas the largest rise was in 2018 with an 8.5% increase.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, Spain's non-ionic surfactants production saw an uptick. In 2020, the country produced 94.5 thousand tonnes, marking a modest 1.3% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 12%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.2%. The lowest output was in 2019 at 93.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the steepest decline of 12.3%.

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

Exports non-ionic surfactants from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Spain's non-ionic surfactants exports experienced a downturn. In 2020, exports totaled 47.7 thousand tonnes, reflecting a substantial 15.0% year-over-year decrease. From 2017 to 2020, exports dropped by 11%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.8%. The peak export volume was in 2019 at 56.1 thousand tonnes, which also recorded the largest increase of 3.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain's non-ionic surfactants exports were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. France accounted for 21.3% of exports in kind, Germany for 12.2%, and Italy for 8.1%, with these three countries together making up only 41.7% 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, M $ US

Spain's non-ionic surfactants exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 117.6 million US dollars, down 16.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 14.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.9%. The highest export value was in 2018 at 147.6 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Spain's non-ionic surfactants exports in value terms. France held 19.3% of export value, Germany 13.6%, and Italy 7.4%, with these three countries together accounting for just 40.3% of total export value. Many smaller partners each contributed relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports non-ionic surfactants to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's imports of non-ionic surfactants increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import volume reached 100.6 thousand tonnes, representing a modest 7.4% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 32.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 9.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands were the primary sources for Spain's non-ionic surfactants imports in kind. Germany accounted for 32.8% of imports, Belgium for 21.1%, and the Netherlands for 17.6%, with these three countries together representing 71.6% 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, M $ US

Spain's imports of non-ionic surfactants rose for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 191.2 million US dollars, up 1.4% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands remained the leading sources in Spain's non-ionic surfactants import structure by value. Germany accounted for 36.9% of import value, Belgium for 15.8%, and the Netherlands for 14.5%, with these three countries together making up 67.2% 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