Ammonium Hydroxide Market

Market Overview

Ammonium hydroxide is a colorless, liquid solution with a strongly alkaline nature and an intense, pungent odor. It is completely miscible in water and is usually available at a commercial scale with a concentration strength of 29.4% NH3. Ammonium hydroxide is primarily used as a cleaning agent. It is also used in the manufacturing of products such as fertilizer, rubber plastic, and rayon. Thus, giving it a broad application base across industries such as food and beverage, personal care, chemical, and agriculture.

The rapid growth of the aforementioned industries, continuously growing population and easy availability of the product are the drivers for the market growth during the forecast period. Additionally, the increasing concern regarding health and hygiene and improving consumer spending is further expected to accelerate market growth.

Ammonium hydroxide solutions, however, being a strong alkaline is corrosive in nature due to high pH levels. As a result, it can cause severe health issues such as irritation in the eye, skin, and respiratory tract. Direct contact with skin or eye may cause severe burns too. These effects of the solution are further likely to hinder the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific

The Asia-pacific market held the largest market share of the global ammonium hydroxide market on account of the flourishing industrialization and urbanization, easy availability of the product, and widespread application base of these chemicals in the field of residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

The increase in the production and the exports from the developing East and South Asian economies has led to these significant changes that are causing the structural transformation of the regional markets. This growth is primarily witnessed across economies such as China, India, South Korea, and Japan. This industrialization has led to the growth of various industries in the region. Such as personal care,  pharmaceutical, and food and beverage.

The growing trend towards the adoption of the cosmetic products among men, growing consciousness towards maintaining one’s personal appearance coupled with the improving consumer spending are the major factors driving the personal care industry of the region. Ammonium hydroxide is used as a pH adjuster in hair dyes and exfoliant products across the personal care industry. The growth of the personal care industry in the region will also fuel the growth of the ammonium hydroxide in the market. Additionally, the rise of the halal cosmetic across countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and India is further likely to add to the growth of the personal care industry in the region. And consequently, to the growth of the ammonium hydroxide market.

North America

The North America market held a significant share in the global ammonium hydroxide market. The growth of the region is majorly attributed to the flourishing pharmaceutical, food & beverages, and chemical industry.

Across the food & beverage industry, ammonium hydroxide is used as a leavening agent. As rising obesity and cholesterol levels are a major concern in the North America region. And the individuals are getting more concern and health-conscious regarding their eating habits. They are demanding healthier food & beverage products. This has changed the outlook of the food & beverage industry across the region. Ergo, leading to the production of new products in the market, to meet the changing consumer demand. According to The United States Department of Agriculture, from 2011 to 2016 approximately, 1,000 new food and beverage products introduced. This trend is further expected to grow in the upcoming years. Thus, leading to the growth of the food & beverage sector. And consequently, add to the growth of the ammonium hydroxide of the region.

Additionally, across the chemical industry, it is used as a refrigerant and as an acid neutralize to maintain the PH levels. The availability of raw materials owing to the increasing shale gas operation, increasing demand for cheap energy, and adjusted labor rates are expected to be the major factor driving the growth of the chemical industry across the regional market. For instance, In 2018, the U.S. annual natural gas production was about 30.6 trillion cubic feet (Tcf), the highest ever recorded.

Europe

As water scarcity is a worldwide concern, due to the depletion and declining rates of groundwater. The governmental and environmental agencies are focusing on water conservation and water recycling. This has boosted the growth of the wastewater treatment industry across the world, especially the Europe region. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the percentage of the population connected to a wastewater treatment plant in Germany and France rise from 92.8%, and 79.4%in 2001 to 97.13, and 82% in 2016 respectively. Furthermore, as in the water treatment industry ammonium hydroxide is used for water softening and exclusion of sediments. It is expected that the growth of the wastewater industry will also fuel the growth of the ammonium hydroxide market in the region.

Across the agriculture industry, ammonium hydroxide is used as a fertilizer, to provide the essential nutrient need by plants, including lawns and farm crops to grow. As the population is growing the demand for agri-food is also growing. And Since, European Union is one of the top five exporters of agri-food along with the US, Brazil, China, and Canada. This growing demand for commodities has fuelled the growth of the agriculture industry sector of the region by around 3% in 2017, which is further expected to grow in the upcoming years. Thus, also adding to the growth of the ammonium hydroxide market in the region during the forecast year.

Segmental Analysis

Awareness Regarding Personal Hygiene Drives the Cleaning Agent Segment Growth

By application, the cleaning agent segment is anticipated to drive the global ammonium hydroxide market during the forecast period. Diluted ammonia is used as a cleansing agent and sanitizer across the industrial, residential, and commercial applications. The rising awareness regarding personal hygiene and growing concerns related to the spread of infectious diseases are the key factors propelling the growth of the segment. Additionally, the rise in population and increasing focus on communal hygiene is anticipated to bolster the market growth during the forecast period.

Ammonium Hydroxide’s Widespread Application Across Gamut of Industries

The industrial segment held the largest share of the global ammonium hydroxide market in 2019 and is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period. In the industrial segment, ammonium hydroxide is used in various applications such as water treatment, food production, furniture darkening, flavor enhancer, and cleansing agent. Ammonium hydroxide is extensively utilized across industries such as healthcare, food and beverage, personal care, chemical, agriculture, and others. Additionally, it is also used in the laboratories as a base in inorganic analysis. The healthcare industry uses ammonium hydroxide for sanitization purposes. As individuals are getting more concerned and aware of their health and hygiene, their preference is shifting towards the use of convenient hygiene products such as sanitizer and disinfectants.

Additionally, the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 has skyrocketed the demand for sanitizers in the market. Due to the pandemic, the demand for these products has surged across the distribution channels – the brick-and-mortar-store and the online stores.