Quicklime market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

The Belgian quicklime market opened the period at 716 thousand tons in 2018, supported by technological innovations like more efficient kilns and automation that reduced production costs. Environmental regulations also began driving demand for quicklime in pollution control applications, while growing consumption in the construction, steel, and manufacturing sectors provided a steady industrial base. This momentum carried into 2019, when the market volume jumped sharply to 1 004 thousand tons.

After the 2019 peak, the market contracted to 816 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 729 thousand tons in 2022. This decline reflected a period of reduced industrial activity within the country over those years.

A strong recovery followed in 2023, with the market volume rising to 1 064 thousand tons. This rebound was aided by a renewal of demand across Europe after a prior downturn, alongside a moderate increase in global consumption. By 2024, the market volume decreased to 817 thousand tons. This contraction coincided with the impact of global factors such as rising raw material and energy costs, which pressured production economics. Concurrently, evolving European and Belgian environmental regulations, including updated rules for industrial combustion plants, continued to stimulate demand for quicklime used in compliance and sustainability applications.

Production quicklime in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Belgium, the output value of quicklime reached $111.9 million in 2018, marking the highest point in recent years. However, by 2019, this value had declined to $104.5 million, representing a year-on-year decrease of 6.6%. The most significant increase occurred in 2018, with a growth rate of 7.8%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Quicklime production in Belgium continued to grow for the second consecutive year. In 2019, output reached 1,307 thousand tonnes, showing a substantial increase of 20.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2019, production rose by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

Exports quicklime from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Quicklime exports from Belgium declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, shipments abroad amounted to 451.8 thousand tonnes, down by 4.5% from the previous year. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 551.5 thousand tonnes, followed by a significant drop of 14.2% in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 16.5%, with an annualized rate of 5.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 1.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg were the top destinations for Belgium's quicklime exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 33.8% of exports, France for 31.8%, and Luxembourg for 10.2%. Together, these three countries represented 75.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Belgium's quicklime exports in value terms also fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value stood at $49,588 thousand, a decrease of 2.0% compared to the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $60,914 thousand, followed by a sharp decline of 16.9% in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 12.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 7.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Luxembourg were the primary markets for Belgium's quicklime exports in value terms, collectively accounting for 75.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports quicklime to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium's quicklime imports reached 175.7 thousand tonnes, up by 3.0% year-on-year. The peak was in 2018 at 178.5 thousand tonnes, followed by a decline of 4.5% in 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 14.8%, with an annualized rate of 4.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, at 16.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France and Germany were the main suppliers of quicklime to Belgium in volume terms, together holding an 82.6% share of total imports. The remaining imports were distributed among various other countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Belgium's quicklime import value totaled $18,068 thousand in 2020, rising by 5.5% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 25.4%, with an annualized rate of 7.8%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 3.0%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 22.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France and Germany dominated Belgium's quicklime imports in value terms, while other markets played a smaller role.

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

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