Sodium Chlorate Market Analysis

Global Sodium Chlorate Market Overview:

Sodium Chlorate Market Size was valued at USD 3.9 billion in 2021. The sodium chlorate industry is projected to grow from USD 4.09 billion in 2022 to USD 5.72 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.90% during the forecast period (2022 - 2030). Increased demand for pulp and paper in producing paperboards, personal care items, and chemicals and the growing use of sodium chlorate in explosives and mining activities are the key market drivers enhancing the market growth.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Sodium Chlorate Market Trends

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  Growing Prevalence of the pulp and paper industry boosts the market growth

  
  

Sodium chlorate, often known as NaClO3, is an industrial salt made by electrolyzing sodium chloride (NaCl). It is typically utilized in the chemical bleaching procedure that is elemental chlorine-free (ECF). According to the EU Chemical Agency, 93% of the pulp in the European Union that has undergone chemical bleaching is produced using the ECF technique. The substance finds widespread application in the pulp and paper sector and is also employed as a chemical intermediary in creating explosives and plant protection products. Additionally, it produces colors, cosmetics, medicines, defoliants, and leather.

The expansion of the pulp and paper sector significantly impacts the market. Approximately 80–90% of sodium chlorate is used to create chlorine dioxide, a bleaching chemical used in pulp manufacturing. Chlorine dioxide demand is rising due to the rising need for hygiene items such as sanitary products, tissues, wipes, and paper toilets, which in turn is fueling the expansion of the worldwide sodium chlorate market. For instance, the production of paper and paperboard worldwide was estimated to reach 390 million tonnes in 2018 and 490 million tonnes in 2020. During the projection period, this is anticipated to increase its demand. Additionally, the e-commerce industry's increased demand for cardboard packaging will probably increase its requirement for manufacturing paper.

Since sodium chlorate is phytotoxic to all green plants, it is used as a non-selective herbicide to control the growth of several plants, including morning glory, creeping thistle, johnsongrass, bamboo, ragwort, and St. John's wort. It is mostly utilized for spot treatments on non-cropland and for controlling vegetation along roadsides, fence ways, etc. The two main raw materials needed to make sodium chlorate are sodium chloride and water. Because of the low price and abundance of these raw ingredients, sodium chlorate is widely available. This, together with how simple it is to store, makes it perfect for various uses and has enhanced the sodium chlorate market CAGR across the globe in recent years.

Sodium chlorate is frequently used as a bleaching agent to produce high-quality, environmentally friendly white paper. As a result, there will probably be a big demand for sodium chlorate throughout the projection period. The growing demand for environmentally friendly paper production methods will probably increase the need for sodium chlorate as a bleaching agent shortly. The use of sodium chlorate as a bleaching chemical is driven by environmental restrictions in the US and Canada, another factor driving the growth of the sodium chlorate market revenue.

November 2023

A lubricant additives firm in Lawrence, Kansas, formerly owned by Chemtrade, has been bought by Trecora LLC. Trecora's Specialty Chemicals division, which has its headquarters in the Woodlands, Texas, will include the company, which is one of the most prominent contributors to the production of phosphorus pentasulfide (P2S5) in North America.

Aodium chlorate, sulfuric acid, wasted acid processing services, inorganic coagulants for water treatment, sodium nitrite, and sodium hydrosulfite are some of the products that Chemtrade is a major provider of in North America. Not only that, but Chemtrade is also the most significant manufacturer of high-purity sulfuric acid for the semiconductor sector in the North American region. Among the most prominent suppliers of sulphur, chlor-alkali products, zinc oxide, and liquid sulphur dioxide in the area, Chemtrade is a market leader. Additionally, Chemtrade offers a variety of industrial services, including the processing of waste streams and processed by-products.

Sodium Chlorate Market Segment Insights

Sodium Chlorate Form Insights

The sodium chlorate market segmentation, based on form, includes crystalline and solution. The crystalline segment held the majority share in 2021 of the sodium chlorate market revenue due to the increasing demand for chlorine dioxide, which is widely used as a pulp-bleaching agent. In solution form, sodium chlorate has oxidizing properties that make it an ideal ingredient for explosive mixtures. The dry salt that results from water evaporation can break down and release oxygen gas. A moderate CAGR is anticipated for this market due to the expanding demand for explosives in the mining and defense sectors.

Figure 2:  Sodium Chlorate Market by Form, 2021 & 2030 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Sodium Chlorate Application Insights

The sodium chlorate market segmentation, based on application, includes pulp & paper, chemical intermediate, uranium mining, water treatment, leather tanning, and others. The pulp & paper segment dominated the market in 2021 and is projected to be the faster-growing segment during the forecast period 2022-2030. With greater penetration in the production of chlorine dioxide, a bleach utilized in creating high-quality and environmentally friendly paper products, the usage of sodium chlorate in paper and pulp applications will significantly increase. According to estimates, the pulp and paper industry uses more than 90% of the sodium chlorate generated ly to manufacture chlorine dioxide, the key ingredient in bleaching pulp without using elemental chlorine. The category will grow due to its increased popularity in developing nations like China and India and the growing demand for wood pulp in producing craft paper, which positively impacts the market growth.

Sodium Chlorate Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The Asia-Pacific market accounted for USD 1.71 billion in 2021 and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR growth during the study period. It is mostly caused by the product's strong demand in the pulp and paper industry. The regional market is projected to increase due to the rising demand for products made of paper. China, India, Japan, and South Korea are the main drivers of the robust expansion of the regional market.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 3:  SODIUM CHLORATE MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2021 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Europe sodium chlorate market accounts for the second-largest market share. The region had strong growth due to the high demand for paper-based packaging and hygiene products. Regional market expansion is also anticipated to be fueled by the expanding e-commerce sector. Further, the Germany sodium chlorate market held the largest market share, and the UK sodium chlorate market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

The North America Sodium Chlorate Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. Due to stringent laws governing uranium mining and a rising need for leather tanning saw the region's fastest growth. The regional sodium chlorate market is projected to expand due to the rising demand for high-end leather products, including coats, upholstery, and shoes. Moreover, the US sodium chlorate market held the largest market share, and the Canada sodium chlorate market was the fastest-growing market in the North America region.

Sodium Chlorate Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the sodium chlorate market grow even more. Market participants are also taking various strategic initiatives to grow their footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the sodium chlorate industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

One of the primary business strategies manufacturers adopt in the sodium chlorate industry to benefit clients and expand the market sector is manufacturing locally to reduce operating costs. In recent years, the sodium chlorate industry has provided some of the most significant benefits. The sodium chlorate market major player such as Arkema SA (France), Nouryon (The Netherlands), ERCO (Canada), Kemira (Finland), Merck KGaA (Germany), China First Chemical Holdings Limited (China), HARKE GROUP (Germany), and others are working on expanding the market demand by investing in research and development activities.

Located in Colombes, close to Paris, France, Arkema S.A. is a publicly listed multinational manufacturer of specialized materials. Adhesives, advanced materials, and coatings are its three specialized materials segments (or divisions). Chemical intermediates are covered in a later section. The business was established in 2004 due to French oil giant Total reorganizing its chemicals division, and it went public on the Paris Stock Exchange in May 2006. In 2021, revenue was €9.5 billion. With 20,200 people, 13 research centers, and 144 production facilities, Arkema has operations in more than 55 countries. In 2021, Arkema S.A. purchased Ashland's Performance Adhesives division for $ 1.65 billion.

Also, The Merck Group, also known as Merck, is a multinational science and technology firm with its headquarters in Darmstadt with operations in 66 different countries. Around 250 businesses comprise the organization, with Merck KGaA in Germany serving as its centerpiece. Three business segments comprise the company: healthcare, life sciences, and electronics. As one of the biggest pharmaceutical corporations in the world and the oldest continuously operational chemical and pharmaceutical company, Merck was established in 1668. In April 2019, Versum Materials' acquisition by Merck was announced. The deal, which had an equity value of nearly $5.8 billion, was finalized in October 2019.

Key Companies in the sodium chlorate market include

• Arkema SA (France)


• Nouryon (The Netherlands)


• ERCO (Canada)


• Kemira (Finland)


• Merck KGaA (Germany)


• China First Chemical Holdings Limited (China)


• HARKE GROUP (Germany)


• Tronox Holdings plc (US)


• Chemtrade (Canada)


• Brenntag AG (Germany)


• Ercros S.A (Spain), among others

Sodium Chlorate Industry Developments

June 2021: A ten-year agreement was signed between Nouryon and Metsä Fibre, a Metsä Group company. As part of the long-term agreement, Nouryon will provide sodium chlorate to Metsä Fibre's new bioproduct mill in Kemi, Finland. The mill, in which the Metsä Group is investing 1.6 billion euros, will eventually produce 1.5 million tonnes of softwood and hardwood pulp annually. As part of the collaboration, Nouryon will invest at its Oulu manufacturing site in Finland, boosting output and modernizing the facility to produce sodium chlorate using renewable energy.

May 2020: To expand and multiply its hydrogen and peroxide sodium chlorate capacity in Uruguay, Kemira Oyj signed a long-term agreement with UPM-Kymmene Corp. The new deal includes the ability to sustain both the currently operating pulp mill in Fray Bentos and the 2.1 million tonne UPM pulp mill that is now being built in Paso de los Toros.

Sodium Chlorate Market Segmentation

Sodium Chlorate Form Outlook

• Crystalline


• Solution

Sodium Chlorate Application Outlook

• Pulp & Paper


• Chemical Intermediate


• Uranium Mining


• Water Treatment


• Leather Tanning

Sodium Chlorate Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America