Apr 18, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Carbonates And Peroxocarbonates – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The UK market for carbonates and peroxocarbonates is expected to see continued growth over the next decade. By 2035, the market volume is projected to reach 287K tons, with a market value of $240M in nominal prices. Despite a forecasted deceleration in market performance, steady expansion is expected in both volume and value terms.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for carbonates and peroxocarbonates in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 287K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $240M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Carbonates And Peroxocarbonates
Carbonate consumption in the UK declined to 270K tons in 2024, which is down by -10.8% against 2023. In general, consumption, however, enjoyed a modest expansion. Carbonate consumption peaked at 608K tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The revenue of the carbonate market in the UK contracted dramatically to $191M in 2024, waning by -22.5% 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). Overall, consumption, however, posted a buoyant expansion. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $247M in 2023, and then reduced remarkably in the following year.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Carbonates And Peroxocarbonates
Carbonate production in the UK shrank to 57K tons in 2024, declining by -13.6% against the year before. In general, production showed a deep downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2023 with an increase of 37%. Carbonate production peaked at 148K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, carbonate production shrank rapidly to $78M in 2024 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate a mild downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2023 when the production volume increased by 93% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $120M, and then shrank markedly in the following year.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Carbonates And Peroxocarbonates
Carbonate imports into the UK dropped remarkably to 281K tons in 2024, which is down by -16.2% against the previous year’s figure. Overall, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 86% against the previous year. Imports peaked at 670K tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, carbonate imports reduced dramatically to $206M in 2024. In general, imports, however, saw a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 with an increase of 125% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $344M. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of imports failed to regain momentum.
Imports By Country
The United States (121K tons), Turkey (97K tons) and Germany (18K tons) were the main suppliers of carbonate imports to the UK, with a combined 84% share of total imports. China, France, Norway, Spain and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 10%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Norway (with a CAGR of +25.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Turkey ($53M), the United States ($34M) and Germany ($22M) constituted the largest carbonate suppliers to the UK, together accounting for 53% of total imports.
Turkey, with a CAGR of +7.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports By Type
In 2024, sodium carbonate (210K tons) constituted the largest type of carbonates and peroxocarbonates supplied to the UK, accounting for a 75% share of total imports. Moreover, sodium carbonate exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, baking soda (29K tons), sevenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by carbonates; n.e.s. in heading no. 2836 (17K tons), with a 6% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of sodium carbonate imports was relatively modest. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: baking soda (+2.1% per year) and carbonates; n.e.s. in heading no. 2836 (-3.1% per year).
In value terms, sodium carbonate ($93M) constituted the largest type of carbonates and peroxocarbonates supplied to the UK, comprising 45% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by carbonates; n.e.s. in heading no. 2836 ($37M), with an 18% share of total imports. It was followed by lithium carbonate, with a 17% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of sodium carbonate imports stood at +7.6%. With regard to the other supplied products, the following average annual rates of growth were recorded: carbonates; n.e.s. in heading no. 2836 (+1.1% per year) and lithium carbonate (+25.4% per year).
Import Prices By Type
In 2024, the average carbonate import price amounted to $733 per ton, with a decrease of -19.5% against the previous year. In general, the import price, however, enjoyed a noticeable increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 when the average import price increased by 81%. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the maximum at $911 per ton in 2023, and then fell dramatically in the following year.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplied products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was lithium carbonate ($12,263 per ton), while the price for sodium carbonate ($445 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by carbonates; barium carbonate (+11.9%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average carbonate import price stood at $733 per ton in 2024, falling by -19.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a perceptible increase. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when the average import price increased by 81%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $911 per ton in 2023, and then shrank sharply in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($1,814 per ton), while the price for Norway ($70 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Poland (+11.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Carbonates And Peroxocarbonates
In 2024, overseas shipments of carbonates and peroxocarbonates decreased by -31.1% to 67K tons, falling for the third consecutive year after two years of growth. Over the period under review, exports showed a abrupt downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 7.3%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure at 190K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, carbonate exports shrank remarkably to $93M in 2024. In general, exports recorded a mild decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 64%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $199M. From 2023 to 2024, the growth of the exports failed to regain momentum.
Exports By Country
The Netherlands (13K tons), Ireland (10K tons) and the United States (7.9K tons) were the main destinations of carbonate exports from the UK, together accounting for 46% of total exports. Germany, Belgium, China, Brazil, India, France, Italy, Poland, Sweden and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +12.7%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the United States ($16M), China ($15M) and the Netherlands ($14M) constituted the largest markets for carbonate exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 49% share of total exports.
China, with a CAGR of +27.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports By Type
Calcium carbonate (28K tons), baking soda (20K tons) and sodium carbonate (13K tons) were the main products of carbonate exports from the UK, together accounting for 91% of total exports. Carbonates; n.e.s. in heading no. 2836, lithium carbonate, carbonates; potassium carbonate, carbonates; barium carbonate and carbonates; strontium carbonate lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 8.8%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for lithium carbonate (with a CAGR of +31.5%), while shipments for the other products experienced mixed trend patterns.
In value terms, carbonates and peroxocarbonates with the largest exports in the UK were calcium carbonate ($28M), lithium carbonate ($25M) and carbonates; n.e.s. in heading no. 2836 ($16M), with a combined 73% share of total exports.
Among the main product categories, lithium carbonate, with a CAGR of +40.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other products experienced mixed trend patterns.
Export Prices By Type
The average carbonate export price stood at $1,384 per ton in 2024, declining by -24.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, enjoyed a strong expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when the average export price increased by 67%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $1,829 per ton in 2023, and then reduced sharply in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by the product type; the product with the highest price was carbonates; strontium carbonate ($14,539 per ton), while the average price for exports of carbonates; barium carbonate ($577 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: carbonates; strontium carbonate (+17.0%), while the prices for the other products experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average carbonate export price amounted to $1,384 per ton, falling by -24.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a strong expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when the average export price increased by 67% against the previous year. The export price peaked at $1,829 per ton in 2023, and then fell notably in the following year.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major foreign markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Slovakia ($53,630 per ton), while the average price for exports to Brazil ($596 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Slovakia (+49.7%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.