Sulphuric acid and oleum market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2024, the German sulphuric acid and oleum market volume contracted sharply from 2.2 million tons to 943 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by stringent EU and German environmental regulations that limited SO2 emissions, forcing production facilities to undergo costly modernizations and leading to the shutdown of some capacity. The regulatory pressure increased production costs and constrained output, directly reducing the total volume available in the market.

Further market contraction was influenced by the Precursor Control Act (Ausgangsstoffgesetz), which banned the sale of battery acid (38% sulphuric acid) and complicated reporting for suspicious transactions, restricting market access and consumption. Although major industry players like DuPont and BASF announced significant capacity expansions in 2024, including the startup of the world's largest oleum plant in Antwerp, the prevailing strict environmental and safety regulations continued to suppress overall market volume growth during the period.

In value terms, the market peaked at $112.9 million in 2019 but fell to $84.0 million by 2024. This movement reflects the combined effect of the declining physical volume and shifting price levels over the years, with the 2019 value increase indicating higher per-unit costs even as volume dropped.

Production sulphuric acid and oleum in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's sulphuric acid and oleum production value has increased for the second year in a row. In 2019, output was valued at 149.4 million US dollars, marking an  8.6% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017–2019 period, production grew by 25.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Following a two-year decline, sulphuric acid and oleum production in Germany has turned upward. In 2019, Germany produced 2 051 000 tonnes of sulphuric acid and oleum, reflecting a 6.2% increase over 2018. Over the 2017–2019 period, production fell by 34.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 13.2%. The largest increase was recorded in 2020, at 6.2%.

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

Exports sulphuric acid and oleum from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decrease, sulphuric acid and oleum deliveries from Germany have risen. In 2020, export volume reached 1 102 000 tonnes, up 24.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports declined by 9.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 3.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019, at 889 000 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 16.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (18.4% of exports in kind), France (13.3%), and Spain (12.6%) were the largest buyers of sulphuric acid and oleum from Germany, though none dominated the market. Together, they accounted for 44.3% of total exports in kind, with the remainder spread across a wide range of smaller partners.

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

Sulphuric acid and oleum shipments from Germany abroad have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Germany exported 61 294 000 US dollars' worth of sulphuric acid and oleum, down 2.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 5%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018, at 75 118 000 US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 28.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 16.1%.

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

The structure of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of partners. France (16.1% of exports in value terms), the United States (13.6%), and the Netherlands (12.9%) jointly accounted for 42.5% of total flows, while the remaining 57.5% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports sulphuric acid and oleum to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's sulphuric acid and oleum import volume has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Germany imported approximately 305 000 tonnes, down 5.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Poland (30.7% of imports in kind), Belgium (28.7%), and the Netherlands (19.2%) continued to lead as suppliers of sulphuric acid and oleum to Germany, jointly accounting for 78.6% of total imports in kind.

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

After a two-year uptick, the value of sulphuric acid and oleum imports into Germany has declined. In 2020, Germany imported approximately 26 182 000 US dollars' worth, down 1.4% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 21.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 6.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2019, at 26 549 000 US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 18.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Belgium (24.6% of imports in value terms), Poland (18.4%), and the United Kingdom (15.7%) topped the ranking of suppliers of sulphuric acid and oleum to Germany, with their combined share reaching 58.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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