Hydrogen Chloride Market

The article discusses the projected growth of the hydrogen chloride market, with an expected CAGR of +2.0% in volume and +3.4% in value from 2022 to 2030. Consumption saw a slight increase in 2022 after a three-year decline, reaching 30M tons. The market is dominated by China, the United States, and India in terms of consumption and production. Germany leads in imports, while Germany and the Netherlands are prominent exporters. Import and export prices show variations by country of origin and destination.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 35M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $16.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Hydrogen Chloride (Hydrochloric Acid)

In 2022, consumption of hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) increased by 1.2% to 30M tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a three-year declining trend. Overall, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the consumption volume increased by 6.8%. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 32M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global hydrogen chloride market revenue expanded rapidly to $12.6B in 2022, picking up by 5.6% 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. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the market value increased by 9.6%. Global consumption peaked at $13.7B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (4.9M tons), the United States (3.5M tons) and India (2M tons), together accounting for 35% of global consumption. Russia, Japan, Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Germany, Turkey and Ethiopia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 27%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Nigeria (with a CAGR of +9.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($3.6B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($1.4B). It was followed by the United States.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Japan stood at -1.1%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: China (+3.7% per year) and the United States (+11.9% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of hydrogen chloride per capita consumption in 2022 were the United States (10 kg per person), Russia (8.8 kg per person) and Japan (8.3 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +7.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Hydrogen Chloride (Hydrochloric Acid)

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was growth in production of hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid), when its volume increased by 3% to 31M tons. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 5.9% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 32M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, hydrogen chloride production rose markedly to $12.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the production volume increased by 11%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $13.6B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (4.9M tons), the United States (3.2M tons) and India (2.1M tons), with a combined 33% share of global production. Russia, Japan, Pakistan, Germany, Nigeria, Brazil, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Canada and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the key producing countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +36.4%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Hydrogen Chloride (Hydrochloric Acid)

In 2022, overseas purchases of hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) increased by 26% to 2.9M tons, rising for the second year in a row 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 throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, hydrogen chloride imports skyrocketed to $464M in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% 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 +65.1% against 2020 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

Germany was the major importer of hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) in the world, with the volume of imports accounting for 989K tons, which was approx. 35% of total imports in 2022. The United States (317K tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by France (7.4%), the Netherlands (7%) and Belgium (5.5%). The following importers - Spain (97K tons), Italy (68K tons), Poland (53K tons), Austria (45K tons) and Switzerland (43K tons) - together made up 11% of total imports.

Germany was also the fastest-growing in terms of the hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) imports, with a CAGR of +28.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Poland (+20.4%), Spain (+4.4%), Switzerland (+4.0%), the United States (+3.0%) and the Netherlands (+1.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Italy experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Belgium (-3.6%), France (-3.6%) and Austria (-4.4%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Germany (+31 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Austria, the Netherlands, Belgium and France saw its share reduced by -1.9%, -1.9%, -5.7% and -7.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest hydrogen chloride importing markets worldwide were Germany ($57M), the United States ($52M) and France ($31M), with a combined 30% share of global imports. The Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Poland and Spain lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 19%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +23.9%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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

In 2022, the average hydrogen chloride import price amounted to $163 per ton, with an increase of 6.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average import price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure at $168 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Austria ($217 per ton), while Spain ($47 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+8.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Hydrogen Chloride (Hydrochloric Acid)

Global hydrogen chloride exports soared to 3.5M tons in 2022, growing by 46% against 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.2% 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 +58.3% against 2020 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, hydrogen chloride exports skyrocketed to $459M in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% 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 +73.1% against 2020 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

Germany represented the main exporter of hydrogen chloride (hydrochloric acid) in the world, with the volume of exports reaching 1.2M tons, which was approx. 35% of total exports in 2022. The Netherlands (598K tons) took the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Canada (293K tons), Belgium (189K tons) and Spain (178K tons). All these countries together held approx. 36% share of total exports. Hungary (141K tons), India (111K tons), the United States (87K tons), Poland (73K tons), Austria (64K tons) and Portugal (55K tons) took a little share of total exports.

Exports from Germany increased at an average annual rate of +7.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the Netherlands (+30.9%), Spain (+19.1%), India (+7.7%), Poland (+5.3%), Hungary (+4.8%), Canada (+4.0%), Belgium (+3.8%) and Portugal (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Netherlands emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +30.9% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Austria (-3.1%) and the United States (-9.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The Netherlands (+15 p.p.), Germany (+4.2 p.p.), Spain (+3.4 p.p.) and Austria (+1.8 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Canada and the United States saw its share reduced by -1.9% and -9% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest hydrogen chloride supplying countries worldwide were Germany ($70M), Canada ($43M) and the United States ($23M), with a combined 30% share of global exports. Poland, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, India, Hungary and Portugal lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

Austria, with a CAGR of +21.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of 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 hydrogen chloride export price amounted to $130 per ton, shrinking by -3.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price recorded a mild reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 14% against the previous year. The global export price peaked at $144 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Poland ($306 per ton), while the Netherlands ($34 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Austria (+25.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform