Fluorescent Brightening Agents Market

The global fluorescent brightening agents market is expected to see an increase in consumption and production over the next eight years. By 2030, the market volume is projected to reach 246K tons, valued at $1.4B. Switzerland leads in consumption and production, with China as the top exporter. Import prices are on the rise, with some fluctuations in average prices amongst major exporting countries.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for fluorescent brightening agents 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 +2.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 246K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Synthetic Organic Products Used As Fluorescent Brightening Agents

In 2022, consumption of synthetic organic products used as fluorescent brightening agents was finally on the rise to reach 207K tons after two years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a mild downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the consumption volume increased by 9.3%. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 248K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global fluorescent brightening agents market size rose remarkably to $924M in 2022, picking up by 7.6% 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, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Global consumption peaked at $1B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

Switzerland (28K tons) remains the largest fluorescent brightening agents consuming country worldwide, accounting for 13% of total volume. Moreover, fluorescent brightening agents consumption in Switzerland exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (14K tons), twofold. Finland (11K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 5.5% share.

In Switzerland, fluorescent brightening agents consumption remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+9.5% per year) and Finland (-6.7% per year).

In value terms, Switzerland ($267M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($47M). It was followed by India.

In Switzerland, the fluorescent brightening agents market remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Germany (-1.9% per year) and India (+10.7% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of fluorescent brightening agents per capita consumption in 2022 were Switzerland (3,188 kg per 1000 persons), Finland (2,051 kg per 1000 persons) and Portugal (661 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Indonesia (with a CAGR of +16.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Synthetic Organic Products Used As Fluorescent Brightening Agents

In 2022, production of synthetic organic products used as fluorescent brightening agents increased by 0.5% to 220K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, production, however, recorded a slight slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 1.8%. Global production peaked at 258K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fluorescent brightening agents production declined slightly to $927M in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 14% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $988M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (52K tons), Switzerland (34K tons) and India (32K tons), with a combined 54% share of global production. Germany, Spain, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Taiwan (Chinese), Russia, Belgium, Italy, Brazil and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 44%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Belgium (with a CAGR of +25.4%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Synthetic Organic Products Used As Fluorescent Brightening Agents

In 2022, global fluorescent brightening agents imports reduced to 174K tons, waning by -5.1% against 2021 figures. Overall, imports saw a noticeable slump. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 6.7%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure at 225K tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, fluorescent brightening agents imports rose remarkably to $718M in 2022. In general, imports, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $857M. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Finland (12K tons), Indonesia (11K tons), Italy (10K tons), Germany (10K tons), the United States (9.8K tons), Japan (9.4K tons), Canada (7.5K tons), Portugal (6.8K tons), Sweden (6.6K tons), France (6.3K tons), Austria (5.8K tons) and Bangladesh (5.3K tons) was the largest importer of synthetic organic products used as fluorescent brightening agents in the world, making up 58% of total import. Thailand (5.3K tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +9.7%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest fluorescent brightening agents importing markets worldwide were the United States ($72M), Germany ($47M) and Indonesia ($44M), with a combined 23% share of global imports. France, Canada, Italy, Japan, Finland, Bangladesh, Sweden, Thailand, Portugal and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 27%.

Among the main importing countries, Bangladesh, with a CAGR of +8.0%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average fluorescent brightening agents import price stood at $4,118 per ton in 2022, surging by 18% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.7%. 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 the United States ($7,406 per ton), while Finland ($1,459 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+8.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Synthetic Organic Products Used As Fluorescent Brightening Agents

Global fluorescent brightening agents exports declined to 187K tons in 2022, waning by -6.2% against 2021 figures. In general, exports showed a slight reduction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 9.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 234K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, fluorescent brightening agents exports rose notably to $764M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.7% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 19% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $868M. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the global exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports By Country

In 2022, China (44K tons), distantly followed by Spain (27K tons), Germany (25K tons), India (20K tons), Indonesia (11K tons), Italy (9.5K tons) and the United States (9.3K tons) were the largest exporters of synthetic organic products used as fluorescent brightening agents, together comprising 78% of total exports. The Netherlands (7.4K tons), Switzerland (7.1K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (6.5K tons), Belgium (5.2K tons) and Singapore (3.2K tons) held a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +20.3%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($188M) remains the largest fluorescent brightening agents supplier worldwide, comprising 25% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Switzerland ($94M), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by India, with an 11% share.

In China, fluorescent brightening agents exports increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Switzerland (+2.9% per year) and India (+1.3% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average fluorescent brightening agents export price stood at $4,080 per ton in 2022, increasing by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when the average export price increased by 25%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

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 Switzerland ($13,184 per ton), while Indonesia ($1,828 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 States (+4.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform