TiO2 pigments and preparations market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The market for titanium dioxide pigments in Spain, measured in physical volume, expanded from 154.6 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 169.2 thousand tonnes in 2019 before contracting to 157.2 thousand tonnes in 2020. In value terms, however, the market declined consistently over these three years, falling from 416.3 million $ US to 336.4 million $ US, reflecting changing price dynamics.

Major regulatory changes began impacting the market from 2021. The European Food Safety Authority concluded that titanium dioxide (E171) could no longer be considered safe as a food additive, leading to an EU-wide ban effective from 2022. This directly removed a consumption channel for TiO2 within Spain. Concurrently, the substance's classification as a suspected carcinogen by inhalation from October 2021 introduced stricter handling and labeling requirements for industrial users.

In the following years, underlying demand from coatings, plastics, and cosmetics sectors provided support. The European Commission's imposition of provisional and definitive anti-dumping duties on imports of TiO2 from China in 2024 altered import competitiveness. Furthermore, a 2024 ruling by the Court of Justice of the EU annulled the inhalation carcinogen classification, potentially easing regulatory pressure on producers and users in Spain.

Production TiO2 pigments and preparations in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of TiO2 pigments and preparations in Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 318.9 million US dollars, marking an 11.8% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.8%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 4.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 393.9 million US dollars, with the largest increase of 7.7% also occurring that year.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

In 2020, Spain produced 144.3 thousand tonnes of TiO2 pigments and preparations, showing a significant decrease of 10.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 9.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 161.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1.4%.

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

Exports TiO2 pigments and preparations from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes of TiO2 pigments and preparations from Spain declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 82.9 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 16.6% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -8.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports of TiO2 pigments and preparations from Spain were distributed across numerous markets. Italy accounted for 12.5% of exports in kind, Germany for 12.3%, and the United States for 10.5%, with these three countries together making up only 35.3% of total 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, M $ US

Export shipments of TiO2 pigments and preparations from Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 231.0 million US dollars, indicating a solid decrease of 12.4% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 4.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.5%. The maximum value was reached in 2018 at 270.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.9%.

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

The market base for exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was broad. Italy contributed 11.5% of exports in value terms, Germany 10.6%, and the United States 10.5%, with these three countries jointly accounting for just 32.5% of total flows. The remaining 67.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports TiO2 pigments and preparations to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, imports of TiO2 pigments and preparations into Spain totaled 95.9 thousand tonnes, corresponding to a strong fall of 10.8% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 16.5%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 5.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 13.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 8.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany led as the top supplier of TiO2 pigments and preparations to Spain, accounting for 23.5% of imports in kind, followed by the United Kingdom at 17.9% and Belgium at 14.7%. Together, these three countries represented 56.1% of total imports in kind.

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

Spain's imports of TiO2 pigments and preparations declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 248.5 million US dollars, down by 9.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 11.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 4.1%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 293.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 4.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany made the biggest contribution to imports in value terms at 26.0%, followed by the United Kingdom at 15.4% and Belgium at 13.1%. These three countries jointly accounted for 54.4% of total flows.

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

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