Hydraulic lime Market

The article provides a detailed analysis of the global hydraulic lime market, forecasting an increase in consumption and production over the period from 2022 to 2030. Key trends such as declining consumption in 2022, highest consuming countries like Germany and Italy, as well as major importing and exporting nations are highlighted. The article also discusses pricing trends and notable growth rates in consumption and production for different countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for hydraulic lime worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2.5M 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 $569M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Hydraulic lime

In 2022, consumption of hydraulic lime decreased by -2.4% to 2M tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year rising trend. In general, consumption, however, enjoyed a resilient increase. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the maximum volume at 2.1M tons in 2021, and then reduced modestly in the following year.

The global hydraulic lime market size shrank slightly to $366M in 2022, falling by -4.9% 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). Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a buoyant increase. Global consumption peaked at $385M in 2021, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Germany (750K tons), Italy (457K tons) and France (156K tons), together accounting for 67% of global consumption. Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Finland, the Czech Republic, Kenya and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 16%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Finland (with a CAGR of +172.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Italy ($99M), Germany ($95M) and France ($40M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 64% share of the global market. Finland, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Kenya, the Czech Republic and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 12%.

Among the main consuming countries, Finland, with a CAGR of +138.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of hydraulic lime per capita consumption in 2022 were Bulgaria (13 kg per person), Finland (9.8 kg per person) and Germany (9 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 Finland (with a CAGR of +171.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Hydraulic lime

In 2022, production of hydraulic lime decreased by -5.2% to 1.9M tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year rising trend. In general, production, however, posted a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 330% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume at 2M tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, hydraulic lime production declined to $328M in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the production volume increased by 314% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $346M in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Germany (766K tons), Italy (457K tons) and France (171K tons), with a combined 74% 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 Italy (with a CAGR of +72.0%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Hydraulic lime

In 2022, overseas purchases of hydraulic lime increased by 12% to 366K tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Over the period under review, total imports indicated measured growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% 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 +37.9% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 when imports increased by 37% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 392K tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hydraulic lime imports surged to $61M in 2022. In general, imports saw a slight expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (93K tons), distantly followed by the Czech Republic (44K tons), Israel (20K tons), the UK (19K tons) and Kenya (17K tons) were the largest importers of hydraulic lime, together mixing up 53% of total imports. India (16K tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (14K tons), France (14K tons), Canada (11K tons), Uganda (9.7K tons), Austria (7.5K tons) and Italy (7.3K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to hydraulic lime imports into the Netherlands stood at +59.0%. At the same time, India (+164.3%), Kenya (+60.4%), Israel (+45.8%), the Czech Republic (+32.7%), France (+12.3%), the UK (+8.9%) and Canada (+5.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, India emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +164.3% from 2012-2022. Uganda experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Austria (-1.7%), Italy (-7.4%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-11.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The Netherlands (+25 p.p.), the Czech Republic (+11 p.p.), Israel (+5.4 p.p.), Kenya (+4.5 p.p.), India (+4.3 p.p.), France (+1.8 p.p.) and the UK (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Austria, Italy and Democratic Republic of the Congo saw its share reduced by -1.9%, -4.9% and -17.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the Netherlands ($14M) constitutes the largest market for imported hydraulic lime worldwide, comprising 23% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($5.8M), with a 9.5% share of global imports. It was followed by Israel, with a 7.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in the Netherlands amounted to +64.9%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: the UK (+11.2% per year) and Israel (+46.2% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average hydraulic lime import price amounted to $167 per ton, rising by 8.3% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a noticeable reduction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the average import price increased by 24%. Global import price peaked at $244 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

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 UK ($305 per ton), while Canada ($49 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kenya (+7.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Hydraulic lime

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of hydraulic lime decreased by -6.4% to 220K tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 14%. The global exports peaked at 235K tons in 2021, and then reduced in the following year.

In value terms, hydraulic lime exports shrank to $39M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 25%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $43M, and then dropped in the following year.

Exports By Country

France (29K tons), Tanzania (23K tons), Germany (19K tons), the Netherlands (19K tons), the United Arab Emirates (19K tons), South Africa (15K tons), Thailand (12K tons), the Dominican Republic (11K tons), Portugal (11K tons), Austria (8.3K tons), Italy (6.9K tons) and India (5.6K tons) represented roughly 81% of total exports in 2022.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by the Dominican Republic (with a CAGR of +47.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($7.6M), the Netherlands ($3.9M) and Tanzania ($3.4M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 38% share of global exports. The Dominican Republic, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, South Africa, Portugal, Italy, Thailand, India and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 43%.

The Dominican Republic, with a CAGR of +38.0%, recorded 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

The average hydraulic lime export price stood at $177 per ton in 2022, reducing by -2.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 14%. The global export price peaked at $213 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the 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 Italy ($290 per ton), while Austria ($76 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Italy (+6.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform