Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine Market

The article discusses the rising demand for fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine worldwide, projecting an increase in market consumption over the next eight years. It provides forecasts for market volume and value, as well as insights on consumption patterns, production trends, import-export dynamics, and growth rates for major countries. The analysis offers a comprehensive overview of the global market for these key chemicals.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 11M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $187.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine

Global fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine consumption reached 11M tons in 2022, approximately mirroring the year before. Overall, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the consumption volume increased by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 12M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The revenue of the market for fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodines worldwide dropped to $134.6B in 2022, waning by -14.2% 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, continues to indicate a deep slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the market value increased by 6.6%. Global consumption peaked at $236.1B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were the United States (1.9M tons), Germany (1.7M tons) and India (1.2M tons), with a combined 44% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +10.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Mexico ($88.8B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Brazil ($13.7B). It was followed by Japan.

In Mexico, the fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine market contracted by an average annual rate of -6.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Brazil (-7.4% per year) and Japan (-3.6% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine per capita consumption was registered in Germany (21 kg per person), followed by the United States (5.6 kg per person), the UK (4.7 kg per person) and South Korea (4.6 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine was estimated at 1.4 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine per capita consumption in Germany amounted to -3.4%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: the United States (+9.3% per year) and the UK (+1.8% per year).

Production

World Production of Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine

In 2022, global fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine production amounted to 11M tons, therefore, remained relatively stable against the year before. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a slight downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 5.9%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 12M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine production shrank to $142.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, recorded a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 18% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $246.9B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Germany (1.7M tons), India (1.2M tons) and Canada (983K tons), with a combined 36% share of global production.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the main producing countries, was attained by Canada (with a CAGR of +7.5%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine

In 2022, global imports of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodines soared to 1.4M tons, growing by 72% on the year before. Overall, imports showed a buoyant increase. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine imports surged to $2.7B in 2022. In general, imports saw measured growth. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The United States dominates imports structure, recording 994K tons, which was near 69% of total imports in 2022. It was distantly followed by China (66K tons), constituting a 4.6% share of total imports. Germany (50K tons), Belgium (43K tons) and Mexico (22K tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

The United States was also the fastest-growing in terms of the fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodines imports, with a CAGR of +41.6% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Mexico (+15.1%), China (+9.1%) and Germany (+3.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Belgium experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of the United States (+62 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of China (-1.8 p.p.), Germany (-4.8 p.p.) and Belgium (-7.6 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($734M) constitutes the largest market for imported fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodines worldwide, comprising 27% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($346M), with a 13% share of global imports. It was followed by Belgium, with an 11% share.

In China, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine imports expanded at an average annual rate of +9.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+0.7% per year) and Belgium (+0.1% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average import price for fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodines amounted to $1,876 per ton, dropping by -13.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a deep reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average import price increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $4,439 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 China ($11,154 per ton), while Mexico ($283 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Belgium (+0.8%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Exports

World Exports of Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine and Iodine

In 2022, global exports of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodines soared to 1.3M tons, jumping by 82% against the previous year. In general, exports recorded a pronounced increase. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine exports skyrocketed to $2.7B in 2022. Overall, exports recorded measured growth. 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, accounting for 826K tons, which was near 64% of total exports in 2022. Israel (57K tons), Mexico (50K tons), France (46K tons), the United States (37K tons), Belgium (34K tons), Thailand (22K tons) and Chile (21K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Canada was also the fastest-growing in terms of the fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodines exports, with a CAGR of +9.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United States (+7.8%), Thailand (+6.8%), Mexico (+6.5%), Belgium (+3.3%) and Chile (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Israel (-2.1%) and France (-4.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of Canada increased by +23 percentage points. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Chile ($1.1B) remains the largest fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine supplier worldwide, comprising 42% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($375M), with a 14% share of global exports. It was followed by Israel, with a 7.8% share.

In Chile, fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+5.2% per year) and Israel (+6.9% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average export price for fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodines stood at $2,067 per ton in 2022, shrinking by -15.9% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average export price increased by 26% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $2,645 per ton. From 2021 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

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 Chile ($52,777 per ton), while Mexico ($124 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Israel (+9.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform