Chlorosulphuric Acid Market

The article discusses the forecasted growth of the chlorosulphuric acid market from 2022 to 2030, including consumption trends, production statistics, import/export data, and country-specific insights. It covers key metrics such as volume, value, per capita consumption, and price trends. Oman emerges as a major player in both consumption and production of chlorosulphuric acid, while other countries like Germany, Switzerland, and the United States also play significant roles in the market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for chlorosulphuric acid worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 219K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $294M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Chlorosulphuric Acid

In 2022, consumption of chlorosulphuric acid was finally on the rise to reach 166K tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, the total consumption indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +12.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

The global chlorosulphuric acid market revenue fell slightly to $189M in 2022, reducing by -2.5% 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). Over the period under review, consumption showed prominent growth. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $194M in 2021, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of chlorosulphuric acid consumption was Oman (112K tons), accounting for 68% of total volume. Moreover, chlorosulphuric acid consumption in Oman exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Germany (9.3K tons), more than tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Switzerland (8.4K tons), with a 5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in Oman totaled +38.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+16.1% per year) and Switzerland (-2.2% per year).

In value terms, Oman ($155M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by Egypt ($4.8M). It was followed by Switzerland.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Oman totaled +38.3%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Egypt (+2.1% per year) and Switzerland (-2.2% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of chlorosulphuric acid per capita consumption was registered in Oman (21 kg per person), followed by Switzerland (1 kg per person), Hungary (0.4 kg per person) and Romania (0.1 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of chlorosulphuric acid was estimated at less than 0.1 kg per person.

In Oman, chlorosulphuric acid per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +33.1% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: Switzerland (-3.1% per year) and Hungary (+0.3% per year).

Production

World Production of Chlorosulphuric Acid

In 2022, after ten years of growth, there was decline in production of chlorosulphuric acid, when its volume decreased by -1.3% to 170K tons. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 6.1% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 173K tons in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

In value terms, chlorosulphuric acid production contracted modestly to $208M in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when the production volume increased by 6.2%. Global production peaked at $212M in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of chlorosulphuric acid production was Oman (136K tons), accounting for 80% of total volume. Moreover, chlorosulphuric acid production in Oman exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Switzerland (11K tons), more than tenfold. Hungary (6.6K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 3.9% share.

In Oman, chlorosulphuric acid production increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Switzerland (+0.9% per year) and Hungary (-0.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Chlorosulphuric Acid

In 2022, overseas purchases of chlorosulphuric acid increased by 1.6% to 34K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, chlorosulphuric acid imports dropped significantly to $15M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 42% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $18M, and then reduced markedly in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Germany (11K tons) was the main importer of chlorosulphuric acid, mixing up 34% of total imports. France (6.2K tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with an 18% share, followed by Japan (11%), Free Zones (9.3%), Romania (8.2%) and Belgium (5%). The United States (1.2K tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Free Zones (with a CAGR of +26.6%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($2.8M), Germany ($2.7M) and Romania ($1.7M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 50% of global imports. Japan, the United States, Belgium and Free Zones lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

In terms of the main importing countries, the United States, with a CAGR of +47.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average chlorosulphuric acid import price stood at $431 per ton in 2022, which is down by -18.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a pronounced descent. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $573 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($908 per ton), while Free Zones ($70 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+22.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Chlorosulphuric Acid

In 2022, shipments abroad of chlorosulphuric acid decreased by -15.2% to 38K tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year rising trend. Overall, exports showed a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 38%. The global exports peaked at 97K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, chlorosulphuric acid exports reduced dramatically to $14M in 2022. In general, exports saw a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 79%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at $33M in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Oman (23K tons) was the key exporter of chlorosulphuric acid, making up 60% of total exports. China (4.1K tons) held the second position in the ranking, followed by Hungary (3.2K tons), Switzerland (3.1K tons) and Germany (2.1K tons). All these countries together held near 33% share of total exports. The United States (1,018 tons) and South Africa (666 tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Exports from Oman decreased at an average annual rate of -12.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, South Africa (+12.3%) and China (+10.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Africa emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +12.3% from 2012-2022. Germany and Hungary experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the United States (-1.7%) and Switzerland (-16.3%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+9.1 p.p.), Switzerland (+8.1 p.p.), Hungary (+4.9 p.p.), Germany (+3.2 p.p.) and South Africa (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Oman (-27.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Switzerland ($4.2M), Oman ($2.6M) and China ($1.8M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 63% share of global exports.

Switzerland, with a CAGR of +26.1%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average chlorosulphuric acid export price amounted to $352 per ton, waning by -16.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 29%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $422 per ton, and then contracted rapidly 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 Switzerland ($1,348 per ton), while Oman ($111 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Switzerland (+50.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform