Quicklime, Slaked Lime and Hydraulic Lime Market

The global market for quicklime, slaked lime, and hydraulic lime is expected to experience growth in both consumption and value over the next eight years. The market is forecasted to increase slightly, with anticipated increases in volume and value. China, the United States, and Russia are the top consumers and producers of these lime products. Import and export trends are also on the rise, with varying growth rates among different countries. The average import and export prices are expected to continue increasing in the short term.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime 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 +0.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 177M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $29.3B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Quicklime, Slaked Lime and Hydraulic Lime

Global consumption of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime reduced modestly to 167M tons in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. Overall, consumption saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 3.4% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at 183M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

The value of the market for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime worldwide totaled $24.2B in 2022, leveling off at 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 recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market attained the maximum level at $28.3B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The country with the largest volume of consumption of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime was China (47M tons), accounting for 28% of total volume. Moreover, consumption of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (16M tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was held by Russia (12M tons), with a 7% share.

In China, consumption of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime declined by an average annual rate of -2.0% 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 Russia (+0.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($5.8B), Japan ($3.5B) and the United States ($2.4B) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 48% share of the global market. Russia, Indonesia, Germany, Pakistan, Mexico, Canada, Brazil, France and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 21%.

Among the main consuming countries, Pakistan, with a CAGR of +2.7%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while lime for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime per capita consumption in 2022 were Russia (81 kg per person), Germany (78 kg per person) and Canada (71 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of lime, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +2.0%), while lime for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Quicklime, Slaked Lime and Hydraulic Lime

Global production of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime reduced slightly to 166M tons in 2022, shrinking by -1.8% on the previous year's figure. Overall, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 3.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production of reached the peak volume at 182M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, production of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime amounted to $23.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 6.2% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $28.7B. From 2015 to 2022, global production of growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (47M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of production of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime, accounting for 29% of total volume. Moreover, production of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (16M tons), threefold. Russia (12M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 7.1% share.

In China, production of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime decreased by an average annual rate of -2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (-0.6% per year) and Russia (+0.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Quicklime, Slaked Lime and Hydraulic Lime

In 2022, the amount of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime imported worldwide reached 10M tons, with an increase of 8.3% against the previous year's figure. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 9.6%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, imports of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime surged to $1.5B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the Netherlands (912K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (631K tons), Germany (491K tons), India (490K tons), France (465K tons), Chile (462K tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (421K tons), Australia (415K tons), Papua New Guinea (407K tons), Finland (394K tons), Indonesia (366K tons) and the United States (317K tons) represented the key importer of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime in the world, committing 55% of total import. Sweden (265K tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Australia (with a CAGR of +29.2%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime importing markets worldwide were the Netherlands ($106M), Finland ($90M) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($77M), with a combined 18% share of global imports. Germany, France, Chile, Democratic Republic of the Congo, India, Australia, the United States, Indonesia, Sweden and Papua New Guinea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 40%.

Australia, with a CAGR of +31.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports By Type

In 2022, quicklime (7.8M tons) represented the key type of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime, mixing up 82% of total imports. It was distantly followed by slaked lime (1.3M tons), generating a 14% share of total imports. Hydraulic lime (354K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to quicklime imports of stood at +1.3%. At the same time, hydraulic lime (+4.0%) and slaked lime (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, hydraulic lime emerged as the fastest-growing type imported in the world, with a CAGR of +4.0% from 2012-2022. Quicklime (-1.6 p.p.) significantly weakened its position in terms of the global imports, while the shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, quicklime ($1.1B) constitutes the largest type of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime imported worldwide, comprising 78% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by slaked lime ($252M), with an 18% share of global imports.

For quicklime, imports increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012-2022. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: slaked lime (+3.4% per year) and hydraulic lime (-1.7% per year).

Import Prices By Type

The average import price for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime stood at $144 per ton in 2022, rising by 10% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major imported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was slaked lime ($188 per ton), while the price for quicklime ($139 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by quicklime (+1.5%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average import price for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime amounted to $144 per ton, increasing by 10% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Finland ($229 per ton), while Papua New Guinea ($75 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+5.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Quicklime, Slaked Lime and Hydraulic Lime

In 2022, approx. 9M tons of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime were exported worldwide; remaining stable against 2021 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 7.5% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 9M tons in 2021, and then fell slightly in the following year.

In value terms, exports of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime skyrocketed to $1.3B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from Germany (828K tons), France (771K tons), Malaysia (701K tons), Belgium (492K tons), Zambia (421K tons), Oman (412K tons), Argentina (356K tons), Vietnam (352K tons), Thailand (335K tons), the United Arab Emirates (283K tons), Spain (258K tons) and Canada (244K tons), together resulting at 61% of total export. The United States (239K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Zambia (with a CAGR of +31.6%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, France ($166M), Germany ($118M) and Malaysia ($82M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 28% of global exports. Zambia, Belgium, Vietnam, Oman, Canada, Spain, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Thailand and Argentina lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

Oman, with a CAGR of +30.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports By Type

In 2022, quicklime (7.4M tons) was the main type of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime, committing 83% of total exports. It was distantly followed by slaked lime (1.3M tons), committing a 14% share of total exports. Hydraulic lime (221K tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Quicklime was also the fastest-growing in terms of exports, with a CAGR of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022. Slaked lime and hydraulic lime experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Quicklime (+2 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while slaked lime saw its share reduced by -1.6% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other products remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, quicklime ($1B) remains the largest type of quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime supplied worldwide, comprising 79% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by slaked lime ($238M), with an 18% share of global exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of quicklime exports stood at +3.2%. For the other products, the average annual rates were as follows: slaked lime (+2.4% per year) and hydraulic lime (-3.2% per year).

Export Prices By Type

The average export price for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime stood at $146 per ton in 2022, jumping by 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exported products. In 2022, the product with the highest price was slaked lime ($189 per ton), while the average price for exports of quicklime ($139 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by slaked lime (+1.9%), while the other products experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average export price for quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime amounted to $146 per ton, growing by 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($216 per ton), while Argentina ($87 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 (+3.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform