Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the German market for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime contracted in volume from 6.7 million tons to 6.0 million tons. A rebound occurred in 2021, with market volume rising by 11% to 6.7 million tons, driven by increased demand from construction and environmental applications across Germany and the EU.

After 2021, market volume in physical terms resumed its decline, falling to 5.6 million tons by 2024, a 2% drop from the previous year that indicates stabilization. In value terms, however, the market expanded consistently, reaching $896 million in 2024, supported by substantial export price increases. Export prices surged by 41% in 2023, reflecting strong external demand, and rose another 15% in 2024 alongside lower import prices. Underlying demand from construction, steel production, and water treatment, together with a shift toward sustainable usage, provided ongoing market support.

Production quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In Germany, the output value of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime reached 594.7 million US dollars in 2020, marking a slight increase of 3.0% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 577.3 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 623.6 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 7.4%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 4.5%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Production of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime in Germany declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany produced 6 436 thousand tonnes, representing a moderate decrease of 3.4% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 7.9%, averaging an annual decline of 2.7%. The peak production was in 2018 at 7 112 thousand tonnes. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 6.3% decrease, while the largest increase was in 2018, up by 1.7%.

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

Exports quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime from Germany fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, Germany exported 790.2 thousand tonnes, showing little change from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 6.6%, with an average annual decline of 2.2%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 869.5 thousand tonnes. The largest decline was in 2019, down by 8.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 2.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Poland were the key partners for Germany's exports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 59.4% of exports, Belgium for 11.5%, and Poland for 5.6%, together making up 76.5% of total export flows.

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 export value of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime reached 95 131 thousand US dollars in 2020, reflecting a moderate increase of 7.1% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 4.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 88 851 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 97 347 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 8.7%, and the largest increase was in 2018, up by 7.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Switzerland led as the top buyers of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime from Germany in value terms. The Netherlands represented 58.7% of exports, Belgium 10.9%, and Switzerland 6.1%, collectively accounting for 75.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's imports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime in volume terms totaled 373.7 thousand tonnes in 2020, down by 21.0% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 20%, with an average annual decline of 7.2%. The highest import volume was in 2019 at 473.1 thousand tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2019, rising by 6.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Czechia, and Austria were the main suppliers of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime to Germany in volume terms. France accounted for 67.3% of imports, Czechia for 10.5%, and Austria for 10.4%, together making up 88.2% of total import flows.

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

Germany's import value of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 41 378 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp drop of 10.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 20.8%, averaging an annual decrease of 7.5%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, Austria, and Czechia formed the core of Germany's imports of quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime in value terms. France represented 66.2% of imports, Austria 10.4%, and Czechia 8.1%, collectively accounting for 84.7% of total import flows.

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

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