Chlor-Alkali Chemical Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Caustic Soda, Chlorine, Soda Ash), By Production Process (Membrane Cell, Diaphragm Cell, Others), By Application (Pulp & Paper, Organic Chemical, Inorganic Chemical, Soap & Detergent, Alumina, Textile, Others) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2022-2030

Market Overview

The global chlor-alkali chemical market size was valued at USD 63 billion in 2021. It is expected to reach USD 93 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period (2022–2030).

Chlor-alkali is one of the major chemical industry segments serving a wide range of end-user industries, such as plastic, automotive, construction, and household cleaning. The companies are increasing their manufacturing capacity and expanding their product portfolio with the growing demand for significant Chlor-alkali end-products, such as chlorine, caustic soda, and soda ash. Chlorine is used in large quantities to manufacture vinyl, which, in turn, is used in the production of various downstream products such as polyvinyl chloride, which has further usage in construction, automotive, electronics, electrical, and aerospace industries, among others.

The PVC market is expected to register a CAGR of 4% during the forecast period. The rising need from the construction sector and lightweight vehicles to reduce the global carbon footprint fuel the demand for chlorine from the PVC segment in the forecasted period. Furthermore, the growing investment in the construction and infrastructure sector in developing countries will add up to the demand for PVC in the coming years and help manufacturing units to expand their chlorine and PVC production lines, thus enhancing the market demand for Chlor-alkali.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Widescale Usage of Caustic Soda to Augment Market Growth Prospect

Caustic soda is an inexpensive and extensively used strong alkali. It is widely used in paper & pulp, textiles, soap & detergents, aluminum, organic & inorganic chemicals, and other industries. Its most important application is water treatment to forestall water and air contamination. The budding textile industry also enhances the demand for caustic soda. This can be attributed to the increased demand for apparel, a surge in retail stores, improved disposable income, and rapid urbanization. Consequently, with the flourishing end-use industries such as chemical, textile, soaps & detergents, the demand for caustic soda is anticipated to rise during the forecast period.

Swelling Demand from End-use Segments to Favor Market Growth

With construction being the largest revenue generator for the flat glass market, any investment growth in the construction industry is expected to positively impact the flat glass market. Additionally, soda ash is an important raw material in producing percarbonates, silicates, and phosphates, which are used extensively in household cleaning products. It is a component of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), a primary builder in detergent formulations. This enhances the manufacturing capacity of soda ash. Accordingly, the growing demand for Chlor-alkali products from end-use segments and expansions in manufacturing capacities is driving the chlor-alkali chemical market.

Market Restraint

Stringent Environmental Regulations to Hinder Market Growth

India has strongly phased out the mercury-based chlor-alkali processes and recommends the mercury-free MCBP technology. The plants must follow the various emission guidelines mandated by the government of India. The energy-intensive chlor-alkali process causes a hindrance to the initiatives taken by the central governments to reduce the carbon footprint. The governments are eager to work with policymakers and planners to help shape an energy policy that ensures sustainable, reliable, and competitive technology with lesser use of electricity. Therefore, the consequence of harmful products on the environment and government regulations restrain the chlor-alkali chemical market.

Market Opportunities

Use of Chlor-Alkali Products for Water Treatment to Spur Market Opportunities

Water treatment, lithium-ion batteries, and alumina are primary applications of Chlor-alkali products, such as chlorine, caustic soda, and soda ash. Chlorine is used in the process of chlorination to improve water quality. Around 1–16 mg/L of chlorine is added to water as per the requirement of quality of water. The addition of chlorine in the water eliminates the presence of parasites, bacteria, and viruses from water.

The United States is one of the highest consumers of water in the world, with 160 gallons of per capita consumption. 80% of the United States water and wastewater treatment industry is owned and managed publicly. Mexico holds more than 1500 wastewater treatment plants. The Council on Energy, Environment & Water (CEEW), in association with the 2030 Water Resources Group, is planning to improve wastewater management in India and increase private investments in building wastewater treatment plants in the country. Hence, such development in water treatment facilities will attract a huge demand for water treatment chemicals like chlorine over the coming years.

Regional Analysis

By region, the global chlor-alkali chemical market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Predominance of APAC

Asia-Pacific accounts for the largest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% during the forecast period. In terms of production and exports, the textile sector in China is the biggest in the world. With rising investments and official assistance from the 13th Five Year Plan, China's textile industry is flourishing. China is also a large producer of chemicals, making up a significant portion of the world's chemical output. Half of the growth of the global chemical market is attributable to the country. Compared to the 3% growth experienced by the rest of the world, the chemical market in China is expanding by 4 to 5% annually. Chlor-alkali demand from this industry is anticipated to increase throughout the forecast period due to the rising demand for various chemicals globally.

Europe is the second-largest region. It is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.4% during the forecast period. The textiles and clothing industry is the second-largest consumer goods industry in Germany. The growing demand for textiles is expected to drive the market substantially in this region. Furthermore, the German pulp and paper industry represents one of the largest pulp and paper industries worldwide. Germany is also one of the world's leading exporters of paper. With the growing demand from end-user industries, the need for Chlor-alkali will grow during the forecast period.

North America is the third-largest region. The United States has a well-established chemical manufacturing industry, with top chemical product manufacturers, such as Dow, DuPont, PPG Industries Inc., Huntsman Corporation, and Eastman Chemical, among others, having roots in the country. Between 2010 and November 2019, the country recorded around 340 chemical production projects, which indicated a continuous demand for Chlor-alkali from the chemical sector.

Segmental Analysis

The global chlor-alkali chemical market is segmented by product, production process, application, and region.

On the Basis of Product

By product, the global chlor-alkali chemical market is segmented into Caustic Soda, Chlorine, and Soda Ash.

The Chlorine segment accounts for the largest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% during the forecast period. Since chlorine is a disinfectant, it kills bacteria. Both drinking water and pool water are treated with it. In organic chemistry, chlorine is used extensively as well. It is employed in substitution processes and as an oxidizing agent. During their production, chlorine or its derivatives are used in 85% of medications. Additionally, because of the pandemic, an excessive increase in chlorine demand for water treatment is anticipated in the upcoming years.

Caustic Soda is the second largest segment. Caustic soda, or sodium hydroxide, is one of the cheapest and most widely used alkalis. It can undergo reactions with various acids, metals, and metallic oxides. Sodium hydroxide is a raw material for an array of organic chemicals, one of the essential epoxypropane (propylene oxide) used to make polyurethanes. Other inorganic chemicals, such as paints, glass, and ceramics, and operates in fuel cell production and cosmetics also benefit from the application of caustic soda as a chemical reagent. The market under study is predicted to rise due to the increased usage of aluminum in automobiles and the rising consumption of caustic soda used to extract aluminum from its ores.

On the Basis of Production Process

By production process, the global chlor-alkali chemical market is segmented into Membrane Cells, Diaphragm Cells, and Others.

The Membrane Cell segment accounts for the largest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period. The chief driver, which led to the widespread increase in the adoption of membrane cells in Europe, was the phasing out of mercury cells. Globally, the primary production capacity used to produce caustic soda employs membrane cell technology. Owing to the energy efficiency of the production process and the high purity of the output product, the membrane cell production process is finding increasing applications. This trend is expected to continue during the forecast period.

The Diaphragm Cell segment is the second highest used process for producing caustic soda globally. It has low energy consumption, and diluted caustic brine leaves the cell. This process produces a concentration of 50% caustic soda by weight, and the surplus salt is precipitated and filtered through the evaporation process for subsequent recycling. 

On the Basis of Application

By application, the global chlor-alkali chemical market is segmented into Pulp & Paper, Organic Chemical, Inorganic Chemical, Soap & Detergent, Alumina, Textile, and Others.

The Organic Chemicals segment accounts for the largest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period. Chlorine is also used to manufacture many inorganic compounds, notably titanium dioxide and hydrogen chloride. According to BASF, one of the largest chemical manufacturers, chemical production (excluding pharmaceuticals) grew by 2.7% in 2019 compared to 2018. In advanced economies, the expansion was over 1.6% in 2019, while for the emerging market, the growth in chemical production increased by more than 3.3% in 2019. Various companies worldwide are expanding the production capacity of sodium-based inorganic chemicals, which are expected to boost the demand for soda ash in the upcoming years.

Soaps & Detergents is the fastest-growing segment. The chlorine is also used in laundry detergents and has the either general or light duty. Liquid chlorine bleach (usually in a sodium hypochlorite solution) can disinfect and deodorize fabrics as the bleaches (chlorine and oxygen) whiten and brighten fabrics and help remove stubborn stains. They convert soils into colorless, soluble particles that can be removed by detergents and carried away in the wash water. Therefore, according to Statista, the estimated revenues for the Home & Laundry Care market in 2020 were adjusted by +4%. This represents a total market growth of 5.3% from 2019 to 2020, compared to 1.8% from 2018 to 2019. The spread of COVID-19 further created the demand for personal hygiene products, leading to the European imports of soap showing a higher average growth (3.9%) than worldwide soap imports in 2020. The growing concerns over the shortage of such products push the demand for caustic soda from local soap manufacturers over the coming years, boosting the market growth.

Impact of covid-19

Restrictions brought forth by governments in light of the COVID-19 outbreak have put a lot of pressure on mining companies operating in affected countries such as China, Italy, and others. Key vendors such as Rio Tinto and Anglo American have reported a massive slowdown in production in recent months. Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia has been suspended as the Mongolian government tightened restrictions following the country’s first confirmed COVID-19 case. Anglo American demobilized most of the 10,000-strong construction workforce at its Qullaveco copper project in Peru, after the announcement of a 15-day quarantine to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the region.

Recent Developments

• July 2022 - Materials manufacturer Covestro broke ground on two new plants in Shanghai to meet the rising demand for polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) and elastomers. These new facilities, which represent a combined investment of a double-digit million euro amount, will be located within the Covestro Integrated Site Shanghai.
• June 2022 - Pearl Polyurethane Systems, the leading polyurethane (PU) systems house in the Middle East and Africa, received climate-neutral1 MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) from Covestro. It is climate-neutral from cradle to the factory gate1 of Covestro, owing to alternative raw materials – based on plant waste – that are allocated to the products using certified mass balancing according to ISCC PLUS.