Quicklime market in Denmark

Earlier Report Observations

The Danish quicklime market expanded from 76.4 thousand tons in 2018 to over 170 thousand tons by 2024, more than doubling in volume. Early growth was fueled by rising demand from European construction, steel manufacturing, and chemical sectors, which boosted both domestic consumption and exports. In 2020, the testing of zero-emission lime kiln technology began in Denmark, highlighting the industry's shift toward decarbonization ahead of tightening climate policies.

Global supply chain disruptions and price fluctuations in 2021 led to a temporary drop in imports and market size. However, the implementation of the EU 2019/1009 fertilizer regulation from July 2022, which affects lime-based products, triggered a sharp recovery, pushing the market to 152.8 thousand tons that year. Demand from the steel and metallurgical industries continued to drive growth in 2023, accompanied by a peak in import prices.

By 2024, the market stabilized around 170 thousand tons, with Denmark remaining reliant on imports from Germany, Sweden, and Portugal. Danish climate and environmental policies, including a binding target of carbon neutrality by 2050 and a strengthened CO2 tax regime, increasingly influenced industrial operations, encouraging the adoption of cleaner technologies like zero-emission kilns.

Production quicklime in Denmark

In value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Denmark's quicklime production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, output was valued at 9 993 K $ US, marking a 22.6% year-over-year rise. Production grew by 42% between 2018 and 2021, translating to an annualized rate of 12.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 071 K $ US, which saw the largest decline of 13.7%. In contrast, the largest increase occurred in 2020, with a jump of 34.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Denmark's quicklime production volume has risen for the second year in a row. In 2021, 61 600 t were produced, representing a strong increase of 14.3% compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, production grew by 36.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.9%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2019 at 41 461 t, which experienced the largest decline of 8.1%. The largest increase was in 2020, with a surge of 30.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports quicklime from Denmark

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. There was a 15-fold variation between the minimum in 2018 and the maximum in 2020. In 2021, Denmark's quicklime exports totaled 5 262 t, down by 2.7% year-over-year. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 5 409 t, which saw the largest increase of 296.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Finland and Sweden were the dominant markets for exports in kind, jointly accounting for 89.7% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Denmark's quicklime exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 1 029 K $ US, reflecting a 7.1% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports surged by 1183.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 134.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Finland and Sweden served as the dominant destinations for exports in value terms, jointly capturing 86.8% of total flows, while other markets accounted for the rest.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Denmark in value, 2018-2021

Imports quicklime to Denmark

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year increase, Denmark's quicklime imports declined. In 2021, imports reached 42 498 t, showing a decrease of 23.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports grew by 34.4%, translating to an annualized rate of 10.3%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2020 at 55 279 t, which saw the largest increase of 38.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, the import structure in kind was heavily concentrated on Sweden, which accounted for 74.6% of total flows, with other partners making up the remaining volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year rise, Denmark's quicklime import value declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 3 653 K $ US, reflecting a substantial drop of 20.8% from the year before. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 24.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2020 at 4 609 K $ US, which experienced the largest increase of 28.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden and Germany formed a dominant pair of markets for imports in value terms, jointly accounting for 97.1% of total flows, with other countries representing the residual share.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Denmark in value, 2018-2021