Complex Fluorine Salts Market

The global market for complex fluorine salts is projected to continue growing steadily over the next eight years, with Mozambique leading in both consumption and imports. From 2022 to 2030, the market is expected to see a CAGR of +2.6% in volume and +4.6% in value. In 2022, production and consumption of fluorides and other complex fluorine salts peaked, with Mozambique and China being the top consumers. Import and export volumes also showed growth, with China leading in exports and Mozambique taking the top spot in imports. Overall, the market is poised for continued expansion in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for fluorides, fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts 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 +2.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $12.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Fluorides, Fluorosilicates, Fluoroaluminates And Other Complex Fluorine Salts

In 2022, approx. 2.6M tons of fluorides, fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts were consumed worldwide; picking up by 7.7% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, consumption enjoyed buoyant growth. Over the period under review, global consumption reached the peak volume in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

The global complex fluorine salts market value expanded notably to $8.9B in 2022, surging by 13% 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 enjoyed resilient growth. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

Mozambique (1.2M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of complex fluorine salts consumption, accounting for 46% of total volume. Moreover, complex fluorine salts consumption in Mozambique exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, China (187K tons), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (128K tons), with a 4.9% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Mozambique amounted to +76.0%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: China (+2.3% per year) and the United States (+6.1% per year).

In value terms, Mozambique ($4.9B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($415M). It was followed by Japan.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Mozambique amounted to +72.6%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the United States (+10.7% per year) and Japan (+1.7% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of complex fluorine salts per capita consumption was registered in Mozambique (36 kg per person), followed by Italy (1.3 kg per person), the United States (0.4 kg per person) and Japan (0.4 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of complex fluorine salts was estimated at 0.3 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the complex fluorine salts per capita consumption in Mozambique totaled +71.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (-1.1% per year) and the United States (+5.4% per year).

Production

World Production of Fluorides, Fluorosilicates, Fluoroaluminates And Other Complex Fluorine Salts

In 2022, approx. 1.3M tons of fluorides, fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts were produced worldwide; growing by 2.8% against the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% 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 was the most pronounced in 2020 when the production volume increased by 18% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 1.3M tons; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, complex fluorine salts production stood at $4.2B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate noticeable growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 48%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $4.6B. From 2021 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (402K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of complex fluorine salts production, comprising approx. 32% of total volume. Moreover, complex fluorine salts production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Italy (106K tons), fourfold. The United States (68K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.3% share.

In China, complex fluorine salts production increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Italy (+2.3% per year) and the United States (+23.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Fluorides, Fluorosilicates, Fluoroaluminates And Other Complex Fluorine Salts

In 2022, the amount of fluorides, fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts imported worldwide expanded rapidly to 1.9M tons, picking up by 11% against the year before. Over the period under review, imports recorded a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when imports increased by 72%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, complex fluorine salts imports surged to $2.5B in 2022. In general, imports recorded a buoyant expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 34% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

Mozambique prevails in imports structure, resulting at 1.2M tons, which was approx. 64% of total imports in 2022. India (80K tons), the United States (69K tons), Brazil (48K tons), Australia (35K tons) and Malaysia (33K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Mozambique was also the fastest-growing in terms of the fluorides, fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts imports, with a CAGR of +219.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Australia (+26.3%), Malaysia (+17.9%) and India (+6.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, the United States (-1.0%) and Brazil (-2.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Mozambique (+64 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while India, Brazil and the United States saw its share reduced by -3.5%, -8.3% and -10.4% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest complex fluorine salts importing markets worldwide were Mozambique ($513M), the United States ($262M) and India ($106M), together accounting for 35% of global imports.

Mozambique, with a CAGR of +152.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries 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 complex fluorine salts import price amounted to $1,356 per ton, growing by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, recorded a perceptible curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 an increase of 36%. Global import price peaked at $1,962 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($3,794 per ton), while Mozambique ($429 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Malaysia (+7.1%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Fluorides, Fluorosilicates, Fluoroaluminates And Other Complex Fluorine Salts

In 2022, shipments abroad of fluorides, fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts increased by 6.4% to 540K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum at 580K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, complex fluorine salts exports soared to $1.8B in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% 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 +78.1% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 44% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

China represented the main exporter of fluorides, fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts in the world, with the volume of exports accounting for 228K tons, which was approx. 42% of total exports in 2022. Tunisia (40K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 7.3% share, followed by Italy (6.9%). The United Arab Emirates (20K tons), Canada (20K tons), Japan (16K tons), Belgium (15K tons), the Netherlands (15K tons), Norway (14K tons), Germany (12K tons), South Korea (9.5K tons) and the United States (8.7K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

China experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of exports of fluorides, fluorosilicates, fluoroaluminates and other complex fluorine salts. At the same time, Italy (+41.2%), South Korea (+20.3%), Norway (+8.0%) and Tunisia (+1.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Italy emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +41.2% from 2012-2022. The United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Belgium and Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Germany (-2.4%), Canada (-4.7%) and the United States (-4.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Italy (+6.7 p.p.) and China (+3.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Canada saw its share reduced by -2.3% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($795M) remains the largest complex fluorine salts supplier worldwide, comprising 45% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($213M), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by the United States, with a 9.1% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +10.6%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+25.3% per year) and the United States (+1.3% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average complex fluorine salts export price amounted to $3,267 per ton, jumping by 16% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, complex fluorine salts export price increased by +116.7% against 2014 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 27%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($22,414 per ton), while Norway ($66 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 Arab Emirates (+12.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform