Sodium hydroxide market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Belgian sodium hydroxide market was supported by a regional production network of over 40 chlor-alkali plants and the increasing adoption of membrane cell technology. This modernization improved operational efficiency and environmental compliance, laying the groundwork for production valued at 538.6 million USD in 2019. Market size that year reached 354.8 million USD, with exports substantially exceeding imports.

The market size grew to 368.3 million USD in 2020 before declining to 333.1 million USD in 2021. Import and export flows showed significant volatility during this period, with a notable surge in both trade values in 2022, although market size data for that year is unavailable.

In 2023, the market expanded to 391.6 million USD. This growth was aided by European manufacturers, including those in Belgium, upgrading electrolysis technology to cut electricity consumption by nearly 22%, enhancing cost efficiency. Concurrent demand from downstream sectors like water treatment and pulp and paper supported consumption. The following year, the market contracted to 348.1 million USD. During this period, the industry saw the launch of 100% green caustic soda produced using renewable energy and continued to adapt to EU regulations phasing out older mercury cell technology in favor of more sustainable production methods.

Production sodium hydroxide in Belgium

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Belgium's sodium hydroxide production was valued at 469.9 million US dollars, representing a 12.8% decrease from the previous year.

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

Exports sodium hydroxide from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's sodium hydroxide exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 1,077 thousand tonnes, down 2.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 4.2%, averaging an annual decline of 1.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 1,166 thousand tonnes, which saw a 3.7% increase. The largest drop occurred in 2019, with a 5.1% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were Belgium's top buyers of sodium hydroxide by volume. France accounted for 21.1% of exports, the Netherlands for 19.4%, and Germany for 16.5%. Together, these three countries made up 56.9% of Belgium's total sodium hydroxide exports in kind.

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, M $ US

Belgium's sodium hydroxide export value fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 224.1 million US dollars, a sharp 23.9% drop from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value decreased by 13.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.7%. The peak was in 2018 at 379.6 million US dollars, which marked a significant 46.8% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the primary markets for Belgium's sodium hydroxide exports by value. France represented 22.9% of export value, the Netherlands 19.5%, and Germany 16.9%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 59.3% of Belgium's total sodium hydroxide export flows in monetary terms.

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

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

Imports sodium hydroxide to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Belgium imported 495 thousand tonnes of sodium hydroxide, a moderate 6.6% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 24.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.8%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 465 thousand tonnes, which saw a 37.1% decline. The highest was in 2018 at 738 thousand tonnes, with a 13.1% increase.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom were the leading sources of sodium hydroxide imports to Belgium by volume. Germany supplied 46.4% of imports, the Netherlands 25.5%, and the United Kingdom 17.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 89.1% of Belgium's total sodium hydroxide imports in kind.

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, M $ US

Belgium's sodium hydroxide imports rose to 122.5 million US dollars in 2020, up 10.5% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 4.4%, averaging an annual decline of 1.5%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 110.8 million US dollars, which experienced a 22.9% drop. The highest was in 2018 at 143.8 million US dollars, with a 12.2% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, the Netherlands, and France were the main suppliers of sodium hydroxide to Belgium by value. Germany accounted for 52.0% of import value, the Netherlands for 26.1%, and France for 6.8%. Collectively, these three countries made up 84.9% of Belgium's total sodium hydroxide imports in monetary terms.

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

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