The Global Industrial Salts Market is expected to reach a valuation of
US$ 16.3 Billion in 2023 showing a
CAGR of 3.1% for the forecast period (2023-2032). Industrial salts, also known as sodium chloride, constitute a white crystalline solid produced from seawater & rock salt deposits through conventional methods like vacuum evaporation, mining, & solar evaporation. The industry is poised for significant expansion due to increasing demand across key sectors such as oil & gas, highway deicing, agriculture, water treatment, & chemical processing, particularly for caustic soda, chlorine, & soda ash production. The chlor-alkali segment in the chemical industry is a major consumer due to the absence of economically viable alternatives. Anticipated growth factors include rising demand for direct applications like agriculture &deicing, as well as indirect utilization in chemical processing. Innovations in technologies, especially in high-purity salt production using methods like vacuum pan method, are expected to fuel market growth.
Despite the availability of various production capacities worldwide, landlocked countries mostly rely on imports, while certain African nations possess domestic rock salt deposits. The lack of perfect substitutes further propels market expansion.
Market Dynamic
The Global Industrial Salt Market experiences robust growth due to the abundance of salt reserves. The abundant supply of industrial salts & straightforward engineering methods lead to a reduction in cost, stimulating demand across diverse applications. Key sectors such as oil & gas benefit significantly from industrial salt, enabling thorough drilling for natural gas & crude oil. Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry relies on industrial salts for capsule production & saline solutions. Industrial salts find versatile applications across cosmetics, food, & several sectors. The chlor-alkali sector incorporates salt in detergents & solvents due to its affordability and efficiency. Water treatment projects, particularly in water softening and purification, provide additional market opportunities. The limited availability of affordable alternatives further propels the market. Consequently, the market is poised for significant expansion in the upcoming years.
The utilization of industrial salts in various sectors can pose health risks, including potential brain damage, and can be harmful to the environment. For instance, the use of mercury salts can adversely affect kidney function and, in certain instances, result in fatalities. Moreover, governmental restrictions concerning the widespread use of industrial salt in chemical processes constitute another factor affecting the market's advancement. Consequently, these factors limit market expansion, limiting growth in the foreseeable future.
Research Scope and Analysis
By Source
Natural brine serves as a significant source of industrial salts, obtained from vast saline water bodies or via solution mining methods. The increasing limitations on the activities of mining are anticipated to positively affect the application sectors' utilization of brine. Chemical processing, a major industry, extensively relies on brine, leading to a substantial demand. However, the processing cost associated with brine to produce crystals is high due to the heightened energy consumption required for vaporization.
Moreover, the boiling operations in the vacuum pan method utilize substantial energy, contributing to increased prices. Consequently, this technology finds usage majorly in specific high-purity contexts.
By Product
Due to its ease of dissolution, handling, & consistent salinity, salt in brine is mostly utilized in several applications, especially in the food sector. Being sold in liquid form eases the process of adding salt to foods during manufacturing. In the food sector, salt dissolved in water forms a salt solution, majorly used for pickling & brining, methods employed for protecting & flavoring food. By inhibiting the growth of harmful microorganisms, salt extends the shelf life of food products while enhancing their taste & texture. Brine (a high-concentration saline solution) is derived from large water bodies & mine deposits via solution mining and is extensively utilized by chemical companies for the production of chlorine & caustic soda.
Solar salt is anticipated to experience rapid growth due to its rising demand in agricultural and water treatment sectors. Nevertheless, factors linked to the product, such as production expenses, duration, level of purity, and harvest timing based on climatic conditions, are anticipated to hinder the expansion of the market.
By Application
Application of Chemical processing dominates the industrial salt demand, constituting more than half of the total market share. Industrial salts find widespread utilization in the manufacturing of soda ash chlorine, & caustic soda because of their economical nature & abundant availability. The rising demand for industrial salts in chemical processing & chlor alkali applications, especially in India & China, is set to drive market growth. The absence of economically viable alternatives has led to the active use of industrial salts in the chloralkali process for producing products like ethylene dichloride, boosting the demand further. Several grades, such as brine, rock, & high-purity grades, are utilized by chemical manufacturers. Notably, key chemical players opt for producing high-purity artificial brine for internal consumption using the solution mining method.
The application segment that stood second is the de-icing sub-segment, driven by its abundant supply, affordability, & effective ice control characteristics. Rock salt is mainly employed for this purpose due to its inherent lack of requirement for purification.
The Global Industrial Salts Market Report is segmented on the basis of the following:
By Source
• Salt Mines
• Natural Brine
By Product
• Rock Salt
• Salt in Brine
• Solar Salt
• Vacuum Pan Salt
By Application
• Water Treatment
• Oil & Gas
• De-Icing
• Chemical Processing
o Caustic Soda
o Soda ash
o Chlorine
• Agriculture
• Others
Regional Analysis
Both in terms of production & consumption, Asia-Pacific dominates the Global Industrial Salts Market with a 40.8% share in global revenue in 2023. The rising emphasis on healthy & clean environments and healthcare has enhanced the demand for a variety of products serving as cleansing agents. These types of cleansing agents, crucially produced with industrial salts, are poised for significant growth in the Asia Pacific region in the years ahead. The surge in demand for disinfection products and laundry detergents has been substantial. Given the increasing populations in countries such as India & China, the escalating demand for several food items is set to further propel market expansion in the foreseeable future. Moreover, China has ramped up its production in response to growing demand. The increasing industrialization in the Asia Pacific region & the increasing desire for the chemical sector’s products are anticipated to boost consumption in the foreseeable future.
Furthermore, the anticipated growth in the North American market is accredited to its wide usage in de-icing during severe weather conditions, driven majorly by increased demand for products in chemical processing & highway de-icing sectors.
By Region
North America
• The U.S.
• Canada
Europe
• Germany
• The U.K.
• France
• Italy
• Russia
• Spain
• Benelux
• Nordic
• Rest of Europe
Asia-Pacific
• China
• Japan
• South Korea
• India
• ANZ
• ASEAN
• Rest of Asia-Pacific
Latin America
• Brazil
• Mexico
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Rest of Latin America
Middle East & Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• South Africa
• Israel
• Egypt
• Rest of MEA
Competitive Landscape
Prominent industry players like K+S Group leverage the strategic advantage of geographically convenient production sites across North America, South America & Europe. Equipped with an extensive network of production facilities, global players show superior flexibility in responding to weather-driven fluctuations in de-icing demand, ensuring consistent supply to consumers.
Within the industry, businesses face intense competition, majorly centered around product quality & regional growth initiatives. Established entities like Compass Mineral and Morton Salt engage in competitive regional expansion efforts, focusing on high-margin sectors like food processing & pharmaceuticals.
Some of the prominent players in the Global Industrial Salts Market are:
• Cargill Inc.
• Tata Chemicals Limited
• China National Salt Industry Corporation (CNSIC)
• Delmon Salt Factory Co. Ltd
• Compass Minerals Limited
• INEOS Enterprises
• Morton Salt
• Mitsui & Co. Ltd.
• European Salt Company
• K+S Group
• Other Key Players
COVID-19 Pandemic & Recession: Impact on the Global Industrial Salts Market:
The COVID-19 pandemic & the subsequent economic recession has significantly impacted the global industrial salts market. The pandemic led to disturbances in supply chains, a slowdown in production rate, & reduced demand from several sectors, such as chemical, oil & gas, and water treatment sectors, major consumers of industrial salts. Lockdowns and travel restrictions further slowed the market as industrial activities stopped in many regions, affecting salt production & distribution. Additionally, the economic downturn resulted in reduced infrastructure projects & manufacturing activities, resulting in less demand for industrial salts utilized in construction and other industrial applications. However, as economies gradually recover and industrial activities resume, the market is anticipated to rebound, driven by increased demand from sectors such as water treatment, chemical processing, & de-icing applications, supported by the revival of global economic growth.
Report Characteristics |
Market Size (2023) |
USD 16.3 Bn |
Forecast Value (2032) |
USD 20.1 Bn |
CAGR (2023-2032) |
3.1% |
Historical Data |
2017 - 2022 |
Forecast Data |
2023 - 2032 |
Base Year |
2022 |
Estimate Year |
2023 |
Report Coverage |
Market Revenue Estimation, Market Dynamics, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors and etc. |
Segments Covered |
By Source (Salt Mines, and Natural Brine), By Product
(Rock Salt, Salt in Brine, Solar Salt, and Vacuum Pan
Salt), and By Application (Water Treatment, Oil &
Gas, De-Icing, Chemical Processing, Agriculture, and
Others). |
Regional Coverage |
North America – The US and Canada; Europe – Germany, The UK, France, Russia, Spain, Italy, Benelux, Nordic, & Rest of Europe; Asia- Pacific– China, Japan, South Korea, India, ANZ, ASEAN, Rest of APAC; Latin America – Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Rest of Latin America; Middle East & Africa – Saudi Arabia, UAE, South Africa, Turkey, Egypt, Israel, & Rest of MEA
|
Prominent Players |
Cargill Inc., Tata Chemicals Limited, China National
Salt Industry Corporation, Delmon Salt Factory Co.
Ltd, Compass Minerals Limited, INEOS Enterprises,
Morton Salt, Mitsui & Co. Ltd., European Salt
Company, K+ S Group, and Other Key Players. |
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