Chlorine Market

The global chlorine market is projected to see an upward trend in consumption over the next eight years, with a forecasted CAGR of +1.4% by 2030. Market volume is expected to reach 17M tons, and market value to $22.5B. Consumption patterns have seen fluctuations, with the United States, China, and Germany leading in both consumption and production. Import and export trends also show significant growth, particularly in Canada, the United States, and Belgium. Price variations and growth rates in consumption, production, imports, and exports offer insights into market dynamics.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for chlorine worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +1.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 17M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $22.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Chlorine

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was growth in consumption of chlorine, when its volume increased by 3% to 15M tons. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 21M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The global chlorine market revenue reduced to $18.2B in 2022, therefore, remained relatively stable against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $21.4B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the United States (3.3M tons), China (2.9M tons) and Germany (1.7M tons), with a combined 51% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +3.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($6.1B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($1.8B). It was followed by the United States.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Japan was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: China (+2.1% per year) and the United States (+1.2% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of chlorine per capita consumption was registered in Germany (20 kg per person), followed by the United States (9.9 kg per person), the UK (4.4 kg per person) and Japan (4.2 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of chlorine was estimated at 2 kg per person.

In Germany, chlorine per capita consumption contracted by an average annual rate of -3.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the United States (+2.6% per year) and the UK (+1.2% per year).

Production

World Production of Chlorine

In 2022, production of chlorine was finally on the rise to reach 15M tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 14%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 21M tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, chlorine production fell to $17.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when the production volume increased by 14%. Global production peaked at $21.6B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (2.9M tons), the United States (2.4M tons) and Germany (1.7M tons), with a combined 45% share of global production. India, Canada, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +7.8%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Chlorine

Global chlorine imports surged to 1.3M tons in 2022, picking up by 111% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports posted strong growth. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, chlorine imports soared to $305M in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +81.3% against 2020 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The United States prevails in imports structure, reaching 994K tons, which was approx. 79% of total imports in 2022. The following importers - Belgium (24K tons), Germany (23K tons) and Hungary (22K tons) - each finished at a 5.6% share of total imports.

The United States was also the fastest-growing in terms of the chlorine imports, with a CAGR of +11.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Belgium (+5.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Hungary (-2.0%) and Germany (-3.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The United States (+25 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Hungary and Germany saw its share reduced by -2.5% and -3.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($148M) constitutes the largest market for imported chlorine worldwide, comprising 49% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($6.3M), with a 2.1% share of global imports. It was followed by Germany, with a 2.1% share.

In the United States, chlorine imports expanded at an average annual rate of +8.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Belgium (+3.3% per year) and Germany (-2.2% per year).

Import Prices By Country

The average chlorine import price stood at $244 per ton in 2022, dropping by -32.4% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a pronounced downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 26% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $360 per ton in 2021, and then fell significantly in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($267 per ton), while the United States ($149 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hungary (+2.8%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Chlorine

In 2022, the amount of chlorine exported worldwide soared to 1.1M tons, rising by 94% against the previous year's figure. Overall, exports recorded buoyant growth. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, chlorine exports surged to $275M in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a pronounced expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +100.3% against 2015 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

Canada prevails in exports structure, recording 826K tons, which was approx. 75% of total exports in 2022. France (44K tons), the United States (35K tons), Thailand (22K tons) and Belgium (17K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to chlorine exports from Canada stood at +9.5%. At the same time, Belgium (+40.4%), the United States (+11.4%) and Thailand (+6.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Belgium emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +40.4% from 2012-2022. By contrast, France (-4.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Canada increased by +26 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Canada ($128M) remains the largest chlorine supplier worldwide, comprising 47% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($23M), with an 8.5% share of global exports. It was followed by France, with a 4.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Canada totaled +7.7%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+12.9% per year) and France (-4.5% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average chlorine export price stood at $249 per ton in 2022, declining by -25.7% against the previous year. Overall, the export price recorded a slight contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 9.7%. The global export price peaked at $336 per ton in 2021, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($661 per ton), while Canada ($155 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Thailand (+2.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform