Global Chelating Agents Market 2016-2020

Overview of the global chelating agents market

Technavio’s market research analyst predicts that the global chelating agents market will grow at a steady CAGR of around 4% by 2020. At present, the market is witnessing the emergence of silybin as a new iron-chelating agent. Silybin is a hepatoprotectant, hypocholesterolemic, and canceroprotective agent, and is increasingly being used for treating disorders of the lungs, CNS, kidneys, skin, and pancreas. The compound also has radical scavenging abilities and antioxidant properties. Recent studies indicate that silybin has proapoptotic and anti-angiogenic properties in cancerogenic cells and can be used for several veterinary applications in the coming years. Additionally, the chelating agents find massive applications among agrochemical manufacturers who use them to formulate effective micronutrients for crops. The growing demand for eco-friendly chelating agents in the agrochemicals industry will boost the growth prospects of this market during the forecast period.

APAC will continue to dominate the chelating agents market during the forecast period and is expected to occupy more than 38% by 2020. Much of the region’s growth can be attributed to the competitive manufacturing costs, increase in production capacity, use of updated technology, and production designs of these agents. Factors such as the growth of the agrochemicals market, increased demand for processed food, potable water, and the rising consumption of detergents and cleaners across several end-user industries will positively boost the growth of the chelating agents market in this region in the coming years.

Competitive landscape and key vendors

This market is highly competitive with the dominance of regional players who produce chelating agents in minor formulations and sell them at reasonable prices. Most of the manufacturers provide distinguished products that vary on the basis of technology, formulation, and service aspects. Cross-border trade has gained tremendous significance in the market as most of the production capacities of chelating agents are limited to specific regions. Several vendors are also establishing new capacities in the fast-growing markets of China, India, and other Southeast Asian countries to ensure their proximity and ease of access.

Leading players in the market are -

• AkzoNobel
• BASF
• Dow Chemicals
• Kemira
• Tate & Lyle

Other prominent vendors in the chelating agents market include Archers Daniel Midland, Ashland, EMD Millipore, Huntsman, Innospec, LANXESS, and Sigma–Aldrich.

Segmentation by type and analysis of the chelating agents market

• Aminopolycarboxylic acid (APCA)
• Sodium gluconate
• Organophosphonates

APCAs are the most consumed chelating agent, and this market segment accounted for around 40% of the overall market consumption in 2015. The demand for these chelating agents will continue to grow during the forecast period due to the significant applications of APCAs, including ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), in many household and industrial applications. Chemicals such as EDTA, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), and PDTA are the most widely used classes of APCA chelating agents. The increased demand from agricultural and industrial sectors will bolster the need for APCA to soften the hard water and to remove scale-forming magnesium and calcium ions.

Segmentation by application and analysis of the chelating agents market

• Pulp and paper
• Household and industrial cleaning
• Water treatment
• Agrochemicals

The pulp and paper segment is the largest consumer of chelating agents and accounted for around 33% of the total market share in 2015. Chelating agents are used for bleaching wood pulp, recycled fibers, and other cellulose-based materials. Growing environmental awareness and stringent regulations regarding the use of certain chemicals in pulp processing have compelled pulp and paperboard manufacturers to adopt chlorine-free bleaching processes. Sodium gluconates, citric acid, EDTA, and DTPA are the preferred chelating agents due to their strong oxidizing properties and eco-friendliness.

Key questions answered in the report include

• What will the market size and the growth rate be of the global chelating agents market in 2020?
• What are the key factors driving the global chelating agents market?
• What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the global chelating agents market?
• What are the challenges to market growth?
• Who are the key vendors in the global chelating agents market?
• What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global chelating agents market?
• Trending factors influencing the market shares of global chelating agents market  in APAC, EMEA, North America, and ROW.
• What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the global chelating agents market?