Chelants Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2018-2028 Segmented By Product (Sodium gluconate, Organphosphonates, Amino polycarboxylate, Others), By Application (Household & industrial cleaning, Pulp & Paper, Chemical processing, Water treatment, Agrochemicals, Consumer products, Pharmaceutical, Others), By Region, Competition, Forecast and Opportunities,

Market Overview

Global Chelants Market has valued at US 8.10 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to project robust growth in the forecast period with a CAGR of 4.15% through 2028. Chelants or chelating agents are chemical compounds with compositions that facilitate the simultaneous binding of two or more donor atoms (or sites) to the same metal ion, resulting in the formation of one or more rings. These metal complexes have the potential to exhibit optical activity in both the R and L configurations. The stability of metal complexes is influenced by the matrix-forming pattern, with the importance of variation in stability increasing in highly saturated solutions involved in biological processes such as serum or tissue. The kinetics and dynamics of metal toxicity, as well as the properties of chelating agents, rely on the ability of these compounds to bind multiple donor atoms (or sites) to the same metal ion, thereby forming one or more rings. These agents are primarily utilized in various mainstream industries, including textiles, pulp and paper, and cleaning and detergents. The increasing health awareness and growing concerns over common diseases among consumers are expected to boost the demand for these products in these industries, leading to significant market growth. Chelating agents are predominantly employed in the pulp and paper industry as they contribute to achieving the desired level of brightness in paper when used with hydrosulfite and hydrogen peroxide bleaches. Their capability to form multiple coordinate bonds beyond two makes them applicable as nutritional supplements, contrast agents, and fertilizers. The rising consumer awareness regarding homecare products such as detergents and floor care products is anticipated to drive long-term market demand. Chelating agents also find key applications in various other industries, including agriculture, food and beverages, metalworking, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, textiles, water treatment, and oil field applications. Continuous exposure to non-biodegradable chelating agents, such as EDTA, poses hazardous effects on the environment, which may hinder market growth over the forecast period. The adverse effects of non-biodegradable chelating agents call for the promotion of biodegradable and advanced chemicals, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. This presents an excellent opportunity for the market.

 Key Market Drivers

Growing Demand of Chelants in Agrochemicals Industry

Chelants, also referred to as chelating agents or sequestrants, have become indispensable components across various industries due to their unique ability to form stable complexes with metal ions. Among these industries, the agrochemicals sector has emerged as a significant driver propelling the growth of the global chelants market. This chelation process leads to the formation of water-soluble compounds that prevent metal ions from interfering with chemical reactions or causing undesirable side effects. In the agrochemicals industry, chelants play a crucial role in enhancing the efficacy and stability of various agricultural products, including fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Chelants are commonly used in the formulation of micronutrient fertilizers. By chelating metal ions like iron, zinc, and copper, chelants improve the solubility and bioavailability of these nutrients, thus making them more accessible to plants. Consequently, this results in healthier crops with improved growth and yield. Moreover, chelants contribute to the effectiveness of pesticides by preventing metal ions in hard water from interfering with the pesticide's active ingredients. This ensures that the pesticide remains stable and bioactive, allowing for precise and targeted pest control. Additionally, chelants aid in maintaining appropriate pH levels in soil and plant environments, thereby stabilizing nutrient uptake, microbial activity, and overall plant health. The ability of chelants to enhance nutrient absorption can help plants develop resilience against stressors such as disease, drought, and poor soil conditions. This, in turn, contributes to better crop quality and yield. Recognizing the synergistic relationship between chelants and agrochemicals represents a critical step towards achieving food security, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity on a global scale.

Increasing Demand for Chelants in Pharmaceutical Industry

In the pharmaceutical industry, chelants play a versatile role, ranging from enhancing drug stability and optimizing formulations to facilitating purification and ensuring regulatory compliance. Many pharmaceutical compounds are sensitive to metal ions, which can trigger degradation reactions or alter the drug's properties. Chelants are employed to sequester these metal ions, preserving the drug's stability, and maintaining its efficacy over time. This guarantees consistent and reliable medication for patients. Chelants are instrumental in optimizing the formulations of pharmaceutical products, ensuring effective delivery of active ingredients to targeted areas within the body. By controlling metal ions that could interfere with drug delivery mechanisms, chelants contribute to the precision and efficiency of drug formulations. During the pharmaceutical manufacturing process, trace metal ions can be introduced from equipment or reactants. Chelants play a crucial role in purification steps, effectively eliminating these metal contaminants and ensuring the final product meets stringent purity standards. The pharmaceutical industry is subject to rigorous regulatory requirements to ensure product safety and efficacy. Chelants aid in meeting these requirements by minimizing the potential for metal ion-related impurities, which can result in regulatory non-compliance. Moreover, chelation therapy is employed in the treatment of metal poisoning, such as lead or mercury toxicity. Chelants can effectively bind with toxic metal ions, facilitating their removal from the body. Additionally, chelation processes hold potential applications in targeted drug delivery and imaging agents. As the global chelants market responds to the growing demand from the pharmaceutical industry, the resulting advancements have the potential to reshape drug development, manufacturing, and patient care on a global scale.

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Key Market Challenges

Decline in Consumption of Phosphate-Based Agents

Chelating agents are molecules that possess the capability to form stable complexes with metal ions, thereby preventing these ions from participating in chemical reactions that may result in undesirable effects such as oxidation, corrosion, or scale formation. Historically, phosphate-based chelating agents have been widely utilized due to their effective metal ion binding properties. However, growing concerns regarding the environmental impact of phosphates have prompted a shift away from their use. Discharge of phosphates into water bodies can contribute to nutrient pollution, leading to issues such as harmful algal blooms and degradation of aquatic ecosystems. As a result, stricter regulations have been implemented and there is a growing demand for more sustainable alternatives.

Key Market Trends

Growth in Technological Advancements

In the realm of modern industry, the pursuit of efficiency, sustainability, and innovation has driven the continuous evolution of chemical solutions. Advanced analytical techniques and computational modeling are revolutionizing the formulation of chelants. Through precise molecular structure adjustments, researchers can design compounds with enhanced metal binding properties and selectivity. This precision empowers industries to optimize their processes and reduce overall chemical usage. Innovations in smart materials and responsive polymers are now applied to chelant design, enabling selective binding to metal ions triggered by specific factors like changes in pH or temperature. This responsiveness allows for more controlled and targeted metal removal, particularly in complex systems. Nanotechnology is making significant strides in the chelants market. Nanostructured chelants possess unique properties attributed to their small size and increased surface area. These properties have the potential to enhance metal chelation efficiency and drive innovation in areas such as drug delivery and catalysis. Moreover, industries are increasingly adopting automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) to optimize their processes. In the chelants market, automated dosing systems and real-time monitoring are elevating the efficiency of chelant application, ensuring precise and consistent control over metal ions.

Segmental Insights

Product Insights

In 2022, the Chelants market was dominated by the Aminopolycarboxylate and is predicted to continue expanding over the coming years.  The increased availability of biodegradable APCA products is expected to drive growth in the ACPA segment during the forecast period. The growing usage of APCAs in household and home care applications, specifically for water treatment and the removal of hard water, is anticipated to stimulate demand. Furthermore, the rising consumer awareness regarding drinking water quality and other significant health concerns is projected to contribute to the demand for ACPAs in the coming years. Additionally, ACPAs find extensive use in the textile industry for the removal of salts and metal oxides from fabrics. Common ACPAs such as NTA, PDTA, DTPA, and EDTA are utilized in various applications, enhancing the shelf-life of end products and reducing maintenance costs.

Application Insights

In 2022, the Chelants market was dominated by Pulp & Paper segment and is predicted to continue expanding over the coming years. Chelating agents are utilized for the purpose of bleaching wood pulp, recycled fibres, and other cellulose-based materials. The growing awareness of environmental concerns and the implementation of stringent regulations in pulp processing have necessitated the adoption of chlorine-free bleaching processes by pulp and paperboard manufacturers. Sodium gluconates, citric acid, EDTA, and DTPA are the preferred chelating agents owing to their strong oxidizing properties and environmentally friendly nature.

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Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific region has established itself as the leader in the Global Chelants Market. The anticipated increase in the demand for chelating agents in the region is driven by factors such as population growth and urbanization, particularly in developing nations like China and India. The growing urbanization and industrial activities have led to the implementation of stricter environmental regulations, thereby raising the need for effective wastewater treatment systems, and subsequently driving the demand for chelating agents. Moreover, the Asia Pacific region has witnessed a significant rise in the production of chelating agents, thanks to the availability of cost-effective labor and raw materials. With expanded manufacturing capacity, the region is well-positioned to cater to the growing demand for chelating agents across various industries. The market in the Asia Pacific region is further bolstered by the presence of key companies and access to cutting-edge technologies.

Recent Developments

• Akzo Nobel N.V. introduced a new line of chelating agent products, Dissolvine® M, in 2021. These chelating agents are designed for various applications, including metal cleaning, pulp and paper, and oil and gas. They are known for their enhanced sustainability and superior performance.
• In October 2021, Jungbunzlauer sodium gluconate is produced through the fermentation of renewable raw materials, such as corn carbohydrates. It is readily biodegradable by many organisms in aerobic and anaerobic wastewater conditions, as well as in the natural environment.
• Lanxess AG introduced a new line of chelating agent products, Baypure® CX 100, in 2020. These chelating agents are specially designed for personal care and home care applications, offering remarkable biodegradability, sustainability, and performance advantages.
• In 2021, Nouryon announced the acquisition of Sasol's merchant triethyl aluminum (TEAL) business, a prominent global producer of TEAL. This strategic acquisition aims to further expand Nouryon's chelating agent’s product portfolio.
• Evonik Industries AG introduced a new line of chelating agent products, TEGO® RC Silicones, in 2020. These advanced chelating agents are specifically designed for applications in personal care, home care, and industrial cleaning. They offer notable benefits such as improved stability, enhanced foaming, and superior cleaning performance.
• Dow's chelating agents offer exceptional metal ion binding capabilities while maintaining relatively simple formulations. They are an essential and cost-effective component in most cleaning agents. Compared to other chelating agents, Dow's chelating agents demonstrate superior performance in removing traditional metal ion contaminants.
• Hydrachem Limited unveiled a new line of chelating agent products, HYDREX™ 3000, in 2020. Specifically formulated for water treatment applications, these chelating agents provide significant benefits, including improved scale and corrosion inhibition.
• During 2020, BASF SE entered into a collaboration agreement with Münzing, a specialist in manufacturing specialty additives for the paper, water treatment, and metalworking industries. The primary objective of this collaboration is to jointly develop and market innovative chelating agents specifically for the personal care industry.
• In 2020, Innospec Inc. completed the acquisition of Huntsman Corporation's Surfactants business, which includes a range of chelating agents. This strategic move enables Innospec to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its position in the market.
• Kemira Oyj expanded its chelating agent product portfolio in 2019 with the introduction of a new line called KemGuard®. These chelating agents are specifically formulated for water treatment applications and offer significant advantages, including improved scale and corrosion inhibition.
• Eastman Chemical Company launched a new line of chelating agent products, Eastman VersaMax™ Plus, in 2020. These advanced chelating agents are formulated for cleaning and industrial applications, delivering exceptional performance, sustainability, and safety benefits.

Key Market Players

• AkzoNobel N.V.
• Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)
• Cargill, Incorporated
• BASF SE
• Valero Energy Corporation
• The Dow Chemical Company
• Mitsubishi Rayon Co. Ltd.
• Lanxess AG
• Tate & Lyle PLC
• Shandong IRO Chelating Chemical Co. Ltd.

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Chelants Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

·         Chelants Market, By Product:

o    Sodium gluconate

o    Organphosphonates

o    Aminopolycarboxylate

o    Others

·         Chelants Market, By Application:

o    Household & industrial cleaning

o    Pulp & Paper

o    Chemical processing

o    Water treatment

o    Agrochemicals

o    Consumer products

o    Pharmaceutical

o    Others

·         Chelants Market, By Region:

o    Asia Pacific

o    North America

o    Europe

o    Middle East & Africa

o    South America 

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Chelants Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Chelants Market report with the given market data, Tech Sci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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