Market evolution: Inorganic acids and compounds (CN 2811) — 2015–2025
Introduction
This report examines the European Union's trade in "Inorganic acids and inorganic oxygen compounds of non-metals" (Combined Nomenclature code 2811) from 2015 to 2025. This category is a residual heading encompassing a diverse range of industrial chemicals, notably including hydrogen fluoride, silicon dioxide, and carbon dioxide, while excluding major acids like sulphuric and nitric acid. Over the period, the EU's trade position has been characterized by significant growth in export volumes, divergent price trends between imports and exports, and a notable reorientation of trade flows in response to geopolitical events. This analysis interprets the available data to highlight the main structural and strategic shifts in the market.
Overall trade data and overview for CN 2811
1. The Volume-Value Paradox: Strong Export Growth Amidst Declining Prices
The overall trade data reveals a central dynamic: the EU successfully expanded its export volume while the average price of its exports fell, whereas import volumes were relatively stable but became more expensive.
1.1 EU Export Surge: Volume Up 65%, Value Up 20%
The EU significantly increased the physical quantity of exports to non-EU countries. Export volumes rose from 324,196 tonnes in 2015 to 535,244 tonnes in 2025, a 65.1% increase. In contrast, the total value of exports grew by a more modest 20.5%, from €420.3 million to €506.4 million. This divergence points to a substantial decline in the average export price. The price per tonne fell from €1,297 in 2015 to €946 in 2025, a 27% decrease, indicating increased competitive pressure or a shift towards lower-value product mixes.
| Metric | 2015 | 2025 | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export Value (EUR) | €420.3 million | €506.4 million | +20.5% |
| Export Quantity (t) | 324,196 t | 535,244 t | +65.1% |
| Export Price (EUR/t) | €1,297 | €946 | -27.0% |
1.2 Stable Import Volumes with Escalating Costs
Import dynamics present a contrasting picture. The quantity of imports remained relatively flat, decreasing slightly by 5.7% from 529,034 tonnes in 2015 to 499,035 tonnes in 2025. However, the value of these imports grew by 25.3%, from €379.7 million to €475.6 million. This value growth was driven entirely by a 32.9% rise in import prices, from €717 per tonne in 2015 to €953 in 2025. This suggests a tightening of supply or a shift towards sourcing more expensive specialty chemicals.
| Metric | 2015 | 2025 | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import Value (EUR) | €379.7 million | €475.6 million | +25.3% |
| Import Quantity (t) | 529,035 t | 499,035 t | -5.7% |
| Import Price (EUR/t) | €717 | €953 | +32.9% |
1.3 A Narrowing but Positive Trade Balance
The EU maintained a consistent trade surplus in this product group over the period, though its magnitude fluctuated. The surplus peaked in 2021 at €159.5 million before contracting. By 2025, the balance stood at €30.8 million, a 24.2% reduction from the 2015 level of €40.6 million. The narrowing surplus reflects the stronger growth in import values compared to export values in recent years.
Detailed trade balance and trends
2. Product Composition and Specialization: Silicon Dioxide Dominates the Portfolio
The aggregate CN 2811 figure masks significant differences in the performance of its sub-categories. The data on product breakdown highlights the concentration of EU trade in specific chemical segments and the evolving role of EU member states.
2.1 Silicon Dioxide is the Cornerstone of EU Trade
Silicon dioxide (sub-heading 281122) is by far the most important product within this category for the EU. It consistently accounted for the largest share of both imports and exports by value. In 2025, silicon dioxide represented over €333.9 million (70%) of total imports and over €300.5 million (59%) of total exports. Carbon dioxide (281121) was the second major product for exports, while the group of "other inorganic acids" (281119) was a significant, though volatile, import item.
Product segment breakdown for CN 2811
2.2 Geographical Specialisation within the EU
Production and export capacity are not evenly distributed across the EU. In 2025, several member states displayed a high revealed comparative advantage (RCA) in this product category, indicating specialization. Finland (RCA 2.57), Poland (1.87), and France (1.58) were the most specialized exporters. Conversely, Germany, while having a strong RCA (1.43), dominates simply due to its economic size, accounting for over 30% of EU production value and 19% of extra-EU exports. The least specialized members included Cyprus, Ireland, and Malta, with negligible export shares.
EU member state specialization
2.3 Production Trends: Growth in Volume and Value
EU production of the underlying products for this category, measured in kilogram-equivalent of hydrogen fluoride (kg HF), showed robust growth. Production quantity increased by 50.7% over the period, while production value more than doubled, rising by 123.7%. This indicates significant investment and scaling within the EU's chemical sector for these products, or a shift towards producing higher-value variants.
3. Geopolitical Reorientation and Market Volatility
The trade data reflects clear breaks and reorientations, particularly from 2022 onwards, linked to geopolitical shocks. Partner concentration and the nature of supply shocks reveal the market's evolving vulnerabilities.
3.1 A Strategic Pivot in Export Markets
The most dramatic change is the near-complete collapse of exports to the Russian Federation, which fell by 99.3% in value from €17.6 million in 2015 to just €0.1 million in 2025. This void was filled by strengthening ties with other partners. Exports to the United Kingdom grew by 67.8% to €97 million, solidifying its position as the EU's top export destination post-Brexit. Significant growth was also seen in exports to Ukraine (+197.9%), Norway (+62.1%), and Morocco (+178.7%).
3.2 Import Sources: Rising Dependence on China and Türkiye
On the import side, the EU increased its sourcing from China (+49.6% to €167 million) and Türkiye (+125.6% to €43.8 million). Imports from North Macedonia also surged dramatically. In contrast, the value of imports from the United Kingdom fell by 35.7%. This trend highlights a growing reliance on Asian and Turkish suppliers for key inorganic compounds, potentially increasing exposure to logistics and geopolitical risks.
3.3 Concentrated Shocks in 2022
The volatility analysis identifies 2022 as a year of acute price shocks in specific bilateral trade flows. For instance, the export price to Serbia exhibited an extreme abnormality (986.4x), while import prices from North Macedonia and Türkiye saw sharp, abnormal increases of over 45-100%. These localized shocks, coinciding with the period following the start of the Ukraine conflict, underscore the sector's sensitivity to regional instability and supply chain disruptions.
Market volatility and shock events
Conclusion
Between 2015 and 2025, the EU's trade in inorganic acids and oxygen compounds (CN 2811) underwent a transformative period. The Union successfully leveraged its productive capacity to expand export volumes, particularly in silicon dioxide, but did so in a deflationary price environment. The trade balance remained positive but came under pressure from rising import costs. The most significant structural shifts were geopolitical: the EU strategically redirected exports away from Russia towards the UK and other partners, while becoming more dependent on imports from China and Türkiye. The market demonstrated volatility, with concentrated price shocks in 2022 highlighting new risk profiles. Overall, the EU remains a major producer and net exporter in this sector, but its future performance will depend on managing price competition, securing resilient supply chains, and navigating an increasingly fragmented global trading system.