Sodium hydroxide aqueous market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish sodium hydroxide aqueous market saw its value decline from $268.4 million in 2018 to $154.3 million in 2020. Initially, the market was supported by growing industrial demand from the pulp and paper, textile, and water treatment sectors, alongside the adoption of more efficient membrane cell production technology. However, from 2019, tighter environmental regulations aimed at improving water quality began to affect the consumption and production of sodium hydroxide, contributing to the market's contraction. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further pressured the market by disrupting global supply chains and logistics, limiting product availability in Spain despite increased demand for disinfection and water treatment applications.

Following the pandemic, import volumes recovered in 2021, supported by post-lockdown industrial reactivation in key consuming sectors. In 2022, a sharp rise in imports to $198.8 million coincided with global factors such as the energy crisis and raw material price fluctuations, which impacted production costs and availability. This period also saw a growing market trend towards high-purity and low-carbon 'green' grades of caustic soda. By 2023 and 2024, imports moderated to between $86.8 million and $94.7 million, while exports remained stable at around $54-59 million, indicating a recalibration of trade flows after the post-pandemic volatility.

Production sodium hydroxide aqueous in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Spain's production of sodium hydroxide aqueous has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 85.1 million US dollars, marking a controlled decline of 3.9% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 43.3%, which translates to an annualized rate of 17.2%.

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

Exports sodium hydroxide aqueous from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 72.1 thousand tonnes, with the largest decline of 74.4% recorded that year. In 2019, exports rebounded with the largest increase of 43.4%. In 2020, sodium hydroxide aqueous volumes leaving Spain totaled 103.3 thousand tonnes, reflecting negligible variation compared to 2019. The peak exports occurred in 2017, with a 3.9-fold gap between the peak and trough.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Italy, and Portugal were the main buyers of sodium hydroxide aqueous from Spain, accounting for 44.2%, 27.6%, and 20.7% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they comprised 92.5% of total exports in kind.

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

In 2020, foreign supplies of sodium hydroxide aqueous from Spain were recorded at 26.4 million US dollars, representing a decrease of 7.1% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 57.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 57.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Italy, and Portugal formed the main cluster of markets for exports in value terms, with shares of 45.5%, 27.7%, and 16.4%, respectively. Together, they accounted for 89.6% 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 sodium hydroxide aqueous to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Sodium hydroxide aqueous shipments to Spain from abroad declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume amounted to 549.3 thousand tonnes, corresponding to a reduction of 12.8% compared to 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 20.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 686.6 thousand tonnes, with the largest increase of 50.1% also occurring that year.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France, the United Kingdom, and Belgium formed the core group of markets for imports in kind, representing 42.2%, 11.1%, and 10.3% of imports, respectively. Together, they accounted for 63.6% 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

The market exhibited volatility over the observed period. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 192.4 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 79.9% that year. In 2019, the largest decline of 35.2% was recorded. In 2020, Spain's volume of sodium hydroxide aqueous imports amounted to 95.6 million US dollars, showing a strong decrease of 23.3% relative to the prior year. There was a 2-fold variation between the maximum in 2018 and the minimum in 2020.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom led the structure of imports in value terms, with shares of 37.5%, 17.3%, and 9.9%, respectively. Together, they represented 64.8% 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