Metal cleaning chemicals are used to wash organic materials (algae, animal fats, denatured protein residues, microbes, and hydrocarbons) and inorganic materials (carbonates, hydroxides, sulfides, oxides, silicates, sulfates, and phosphates) from metal surfaces.
These chemicals are used to maintain the performance efficiency of metal products as they significantly reduce product contamination, improve appearance, and prolong the life of metal. The selection of chemicals entails consideration of various parameters such as surface condition and impurities to be removed.
Finishing chemicals help increase the shelf life of products and provide greater durability and resistance to abrasion, which protects against damage. Metal cleaning chemicals are used in end-use industries to clean and protect metal surfaces from particulates and oil & grease marks.
Regional Analysis
The global metal cleaning chemicals market, on the basis of region, can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.
Asia Pacific is estimated to be the largest and fastest growing metal cleaning chemicals market during the forecast period, owing to the rising demand from end-user industries such as chemical, and automotive that use metal cleaning chemicals. Increasing demand from the automotive sector for the cleaning of automotive components is expected to foster market growth. Moreover, growing demand for printed circuit boards (PCBs) from the electronics industry and demand for metal cleaning chemicals from aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities are among the key factors expected to contribute to the demand metal finishing chemicals in Asia Pacific.
Europe is expected to lead the global metal cleaning chemicals market, owing to the expanding base of the automotive sector, which is one of the major consumers of metal finishing chemicals. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, automotive manufacturing is one of Europe's most continuing industrial activities. Europe produced 18.4 million motor vehicles in 2017, i.e. 23.3% of the total 98.9 million motor vehicles produced worldwide. Additionally, according to Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), Germany is considered to have the world’s most outstanding automotive industry, which further expands the scope of the region’s metal cleaning market.
The North America metal cleaning chemicals market is expected to witness healthy growth during the forecasted period, owing to the increasing government supportive measures that support industrial growth. Global Ignition by the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA) assesses the global readiness and export potential of individual innovative entrepreneurs and technology-based startup companies.
The Latin America metal cleaning chemicals market is witnessing moderate growth due to poor economic conditions and sluggish industrial growth across economies in the region.
Aerospace and defense sectors in the Middle East & Africa region are expected to witness steady growth over the forecast period, owing to the increasing government expenditure on aircraft production and the defense sector. This growth has enhanced the equipment replacement cycle and increased passenger travel, which in turn is propelling the use of metal cleaning chemicals in aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities.
Segment Insights
The global metal cleaning chemicals market can be segmented by type, metal type, end-user, and region.
By type, the metal cleaning chemicals market can be segmented into solvent and aqueous. Aqueous-based metal cleaners are expected to lead the market during the forecast period, owing to the severe regulations that govern the use of high volatile organic compound (VOC) content solvents in developed countries. For instance, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has undertaken several measures to limit the use of VOCs, such as buying limited quantities of VOCs, throwing away half-filled containers to avoid leakage, and others. These measures are expected to foster market demand for metal cleaning chemicals. However, Asia Pacific and Middle East & Africa have been observing an upsurge in the demand for solvent-based chemicals owing to their cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and favorable policy framework in these regions.
By metal type, the metal cleaning chemicals market can be segmented into alloys, aluminum, steel, copper, and others. The steel segment is projected to hold a prominent market share, owing to the increasing use of steel across various industries.
By end-user, the metal cleaning chemicals market can be segmented into automotive & aerospace, electrical & electronics, manufacturing, and others. The manufacturing segment can be further sub-segmented into chemicals, healthcare, food & beverages, oil & gas, and others. The manufacturing segment is projected to lead the market during the forecast period, with the increasing demand for performance efficiency in metal products such as equipment and heavy machinery, reactors and tanks, and metal tools, among others.
Metal Cleaning Chemicals Market: Segmentation
By Type
By Metal Type
By End User
By Region