Plasters of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for calcined gypsum plasters showed considerable volatility in volume from 2018 to 2024. After a rise to 991 thousand tonnes in 2019, the market contracted sharply to 720 thousand tonnes in 2020, largely due to the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on construction activity. A recovery followed in 2021, but volume fell again in 2022 to 838 thousand tonnes, influenced by variable international raw material prices that increased production costs.

Market volume surged by 32.5% to 1.11 million tonnes in 2023, driven by strong demand from construction and renovation projects, alongside a growing focus on energy-efficient and sustainable building materials. This trend toward products with better thermal and acoustic performance stimulated consumption of gypsum plasters. Throughout the period, the market remained highly concentrated, dominated by three multinational giants – Saint Gobain Placo Ibérica, Knauf and Pladur – which together controlled most production capacity and gradually consolidated their share as smaller manufacturers exited.

In 2024, market volume declined to 859 thousand tonnes, returning to levels similar to 2022, while the market value in U.S. dollars remained relatively stable at around $106 million. The ongoing investment in innovation and more sustainable production processes by the major players continued to shape the industry's development.

Production plasters of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of growth, production of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters in Spain declined. In 2020, output was valued at 92.3 million US dollars, marking a 17.9% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 10.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.5%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 112.5 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 17.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following two years of expansion, production of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters in Spain decreased. In 2020, Spain produced 1,060 thousand tonnes, representing a significant 23.3% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 4.9%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 1,382 thousand tonnes, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2019 at 22.2%.

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

Exports plasters of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Spain's export volume of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters declined. In 2020, exports amounted to 346.7 thousand tonnes, showing a strong year-on-year decrease of 14.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 23.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 403.7 thousand tonnes, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2019 at 25.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner landscape for calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters was diverse. Portugal accounted for 22.4% of exports, Colombia for 14.8%, and the United Kingdom for 10.0%, together forming 47.2% of total flows. The remaining 52.8% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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 growth, foreign supplies of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters from Spain declined. In 2020, exports totaled 15,806 thousand US dollars, down 4.0% year-on-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 20.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 16,470 thousand US dollars, and the largest annual increase also occurred in 2019 at 16.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for Spain's exports of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters in value terms were Portugal with 36.2%, France with 10.6%, and Colombia with 6.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 53.5% of 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 plasters of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, Spain's imports of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters declined. In 2020, imports reached 6.6 thousand tonnes, indicating a 47.1% year-on-year drop. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 11.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.8%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 12.4 thousand tonnes, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 45.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Morocco was the leading source of Spain's imports of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters, accounting for 53.2% of imports in kind. France followed with 18.1%, and Germany with 12.9%. Together, these three countries absorbed 84.3% of total imports, making them the primary suppliers.

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 imported 3,637 thousand US dollars worth of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters in 2020, down 13.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3,216 thousand US dollars, while the peak was in 2019 at 4,204 thousand US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019 at 30.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands led as a supplier of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate plasters to Spain in value terms, accounting for 19.4% of imports. Germany followed with 17.8%, and France with 16.7%. These three countries jointly accounted for 53.9% of total import value.

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

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