Hydrogen Fluoride Market

The article discusses the increasing global demand for hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) and forecasts market performance with growth in consumption and value through 2030. Key points include consumption trends, market volumes, values, production statistics, imports, and exports. Countries such as China, the United States, and India are identified as major consumers, producers, and exporters of hydrogen fluoride. The analysis also covers trends in per capita consumption, production growth rates, import and export volumes, values, and average prices over the past decade.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 2.3M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $5.1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Hydrogen Fluoride (Hydrofluoric Acid)

In 2022, approx. 2M tons of hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) were consumed worldwide; picking up by 2.4% against the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 7.2%. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 2M tons; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

The global hydrogen fluoride market revenue stood at $3.8B in 2022, with an increase of 4.8% 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 saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the market value increased by 6.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (410K tons), the United States (232K tons) and India (174K tons), with a combined 40% share of global consumption. South Korea, Japan, Russia, Nigeria, Mexico, Turkey, France, Finland, Iran and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 31%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Finland (with a CAGR of +8.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($562M), the United States ($387M) and India ($219M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 31% share of the global market. South Korea, Japan, Russia, Nigeria, the UK, France, Mexico, Turkey, Iran and Finland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 30%.

Finland, with a CAGR of +8.3%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2022, the highest levels of hydrogen fluoride per capita consumption was registered in Finland (6.7 kg per person), followed by South Korea (2.1 kg per person), Japan (0.8 kg per person) and the United States (0.7 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of hydrogen fluoride was estimated at 0.3 kg per person.

In Finland, hydrogen fluoride per capita consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +7.8% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: South Korea (+3.8% per year) and Japan (+1.1% per year).

Production

World Production of Hydrogen Fluoride (Hydrofluoric Acid)

In 2022, approx. 2M tons of hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) were produced worldwide; with an increase of 2% on 2021 figures. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 11%. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 2M tons in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, hydrogen fluoride production reached $3.7B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 9.3%. Over the period under review, global production reached the peak level at $3.7B in 2020; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of hydrogen fluoride production was China (682K tons), accounting for 34% of total volume. Moreover, hydrogen fluoride production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (173K tons), fourfold. The third position in this ranking was held by the United States (154K tons), with a 7.7% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China amounted to +1.6%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (+2.1% per year) and the United States (+37.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Hydrogen Fluoride (Hydrofluoric Acid)

In 2022, supplies from abroad of hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) increased by 3.5% to 554K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 9.2%. Global imports peaked at 571K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, hydrogen fluoride imports skyrocketed to $1.2B in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% 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 +43.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 28%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the five major importers of hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid), namely South Korea, the United States, Japan, Taiwan (Chinese) and France, represented more than two-thirds of total import. The Netherlands (17K tons), China (16K tons), Malaysia (15K tons), Thailand (14K tons), Brazil (9.6K tons) and Singapore (9.1K tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +26.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, South Korea ($227M), the United States ($201M) and Japan ($170M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 52% share of global imports. Taiwan (Chinese), France, China, the Netherlands, Brazil, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.

China, with a CAGR of +25.2%, 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

The average hydrogen fluoride import price stood at $2,076 per ton in 2022, surging by 17% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.6%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 20%. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was China ($2,844 per ton), while Malaysia ($1,329 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+3.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Hydrogen Fluoride (Hydrofluoric Acid)

In 2022, overseas shipments of hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid) increased by 1.9% to 517K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 552K tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, hydrogen fluoride exports skyrocketed to $1B in 2022. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a noticeable expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% 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 +44.1% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (288K tons) represented the key exporter of hydrogen fluoride (hydrofluoric acid), achieving 56% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Mexico (92K tons), Germany (53K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (28K tons), together generating a 34% share of total exports. The following exporters - the United States (22K tons) and Japan (11K tons) - together made up 6.3% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to hydrogen fluoride exports from China stood at +4.0%. At the same time, Taiwan (Chinese) (+22.5%) and the United States (+11.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Taiwan (Chinese) emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +22.5% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Mexico (-2.0%), Germany (-3.5%) and Japan (-8.8%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of China (+13 p.p.), Taiwan (Chinese) (+4.6 p.p.) and the United States (+2.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of Japan (-3.9 p.p.), Germany (-6.4 p.p.) and Mexico (-7.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, China ($500M) remains the largest hydrogen fluoride supplier worldwide, comprising 50% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mexico ($191M), with a 19% share of global exports. It was followed by Germany, with a 13% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +5.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Mexico (+0.4% per year) and Germany (-1.8% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average hydrogen fluoride export price amounted to $1,945 per ton, surging by 15% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.3%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 an increase of 19%. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

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 Japan ($2,551 per ton), while the United States ($1,652 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mexico (+2.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform