Synthetic organic products used as OBAs market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, production of synthetic organic products used as optical brightening agents in Spain first increased from 29 512 metric tons in 2018 to 31 854 metric tons in 2019, then fell to 23 684 metric tons in 2020. The market volume, calculated as production plus imports minus exports, grew from 4 068 metric tons in 2018 to 4 554 metric tons in 2019 before declining to 2 706 metric tons in 2020. In 2018, new EU rules on organic production and labeling entered force, alongside a Spanish royal decree regulating cosmetic products, establishing stricter quality and safety requirements that set a regulatory framework for future shifts in demand.

After 2020, production data is unavailable, but import and export trends continued. Imports declined from 2 701 metric tons in 2018 to 2 026 metric tons in 2022, then temporarily rose in 2023 to 2 958 metric tons before falling again to 2 251 metric tons in 2024. Exports, after a drop in 2020, recovered in 2021 and 2022 but fell sharply in 2023 to 17 600 metric tons, with a slight increase to 18 368 metric tons in 2024. By 2024, heightened consumer and regulatory focus on sustainability and organic products led to tighter restrictions on the use of certain chemical substances in cosmetics and other industries, affecting trade flows and demand patterns.

Throughout the period, the regulatory environment gradually shifted toward supporting organic and biological alternatives, reflected in measures such as EU Regulation 2024/996 limiting specific substances in cosmetics and growing demand for natural brighteners in the paper industry.

Production synthetic organic products used as OBAs in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Spain's production of synthetic organic products used as OBAs declined after two years of growth. In 2020, output was valued at 38 295 K $ US, marking a 15.0% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 43.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 12.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 45 054 K $ US, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 33.0%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Spain's production volume of synthetic organic products used as OBAs fell after two years of increases. In 2020, Spain produced 23 684 t, representing a sharp 25.6% decline compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 4.2%, equivalent to an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 31 854 t, and the strongest growth was seen in 2018 at 29.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports synthetic organic products used as OBAs from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Spain's exports of synthetic organic products used as OBAs dropped after two years of growth. In 2020, the country exported 23 348 t, a 21.4% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 7.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 29 713 t, while the largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2018 at 29.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Germany, and France were the main destinations for Spain's exports of synthetic organic products used as OBAs in volume terms. Portugal accounted for 26.2% of exports, Germany for 15.1%, and France for 12.9%, together representing 54.2% of total export flows.

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, K $ US

Spain's export value of synthetic organic products used as OBAs declined after two years of growth. In 2020, exports amounted to 39 006 K $ US, a 29.0% drop from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 52.1%, equivalent to an average annual rate of 15.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2019 at 54 923 K $ US, with the largest increase also occurring in 2019 at 48.8%.

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

The structure of Spain's exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was diversified. Portugal accounted for 19.8% of export value, Germany for 17.8%, and France for 10.7%, together making up 48.3% of total flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports synthetic organic products used as OBAs to Spain

Imports in kind, t

Spain's imports of synthetic organic products used as OBAs declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 2 371 t, down 1.8% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 28%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 10.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and China were the main suppliers of synthetic organic products used as OBAs to Spain in volume terms. Germany accounted for 36.9% of imports, Italy for 16.0%, and China for 9.0%, together comprising 61.9% 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, K $ US

Spain's import value of synthetic organic products used as OBAs increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 14 136 K $ US, a slight 1.3% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 36.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, China, and the Netherlands were the key sources for Spain's imports in value terms, together accounting for 63.9% 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