Ferric Sulfate Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Grade (Reagent Grade, Technical Grade, USP Grade, Others), By Application (Phosphate Removal, Heavy Metal Removal, Hydrogen Sulfide Control, Coagulant, Oxidizing and Reducing Agent, Mordant, Dentistry and Dermatology, Lime Softening, Others), By End-Use Industry (Healthcare, Textile, Oil and Gas, Mining and Chemical Processing, Electronics, Others) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2023-2031

Market Overview

The global ferric sulfate market size was valued at USD 426.3 million in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 684.3 million by 2031, registering a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period (2023-2031). Ferric sulfate market share is increasing due to the increasing use of ferric sulfate as a coagulant in removing pollutants from wastewater to aid in co-precipitation.

The chemical compound ferric sulfate, often known as iron (III) sulfate, has the formula Fe2(SO4)3. It is widely utilized in various industrial applications because of its capabilities as a coagulant, flocculant, and catalyst. Ferrous Sulfate's use in treating iron deficiency in the blood is one of the primary market-driving factors. As a response, attempts were made to increase intake, such as expanding the availability of dietary supplements and lowering the cost of raw ingredients. These are the key driving forces in the market.

Due to stringent regulatory limits on the disposal of dirty water, the use of ferric sulfate in industrial businesses is expanding. The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requires all wastewater dischargers and treatment facilities to obtain permits. As a result, the ferric sulfate sector is expanding as health concerns develop. The development of UV technologies and RO water filtering, which have higher purification effectiveness than ferric sulfate, is impeding ferric sulfate market growth.

Market Dynamics

Global ferric sulfate market drivers:

Increasing demand for water and wastewater treatment

The rise in the global population, combined with fast urbanization and industrialization, has resulted in a huge increase in wastewater creation. As a result, there is an increasing demand for efficient water and wastewater treatment systems to maintain a steady supply of clean and safe water. A World Health Organization (WHO) report shows that around 2.2 billion people lack clean drinking water services worldwide. According to the United Nations, the world's population is predicted to grow by about 2 billion during the next 30 years, from 8 billion today to 9.7 billion in 2050, with a peak of nearly 10.4 billion in the mid-2080s. In addition, 56.5% of the world's population resided in cities in 2021. This figure is expected to rise to 70% by 2050.

Water treatment plants worldwide rely on ferric sulfate to solve turbidity, suspended particles, and contaminant removal. The growing popularity of decentralized wastewater treatment systems drives demand for ferric sulfate in smaller-scale plants. Furthermore, stringent rules, such as the United States' Clean Water Act and the European Union's Water Framework Directive, require effective coagulants in water treatment. Ferric sulfate is well-known for its ability to meet these regulatory standards. As regulatory standards tighten and communities and industries emphasize water quality, the ferric sulfate market trend continues to play an important role in providing global access to clean and safe water.

Global ferric sulfate market restraints:

Availability of substitutes

UV (Ultraviolet) technology advancements and the widespread adoption of RO (Reverse Osmosis) water filtering devices have brought highly efficient water purification options. These technologies, noted for their exceptional purifying capabilities, put established water treatment procedures, such as ferric sulfate, to the test. UV technologies kill germs, bacteria, and viruses by exposing water to UV radiation. This produces water with excellent purity levels, making it appropriate for various applications. UV technologies, as opposed to chemical coagulants such as ferric sulfate, provide a chemical-free option, addressing concerns regarding the entry of chemicals into treated water.

The process of selectively removing pollutants, ions, and particles from water using a semi-permeable membrane is reverse osmosis. This procedure yields extraordinarily pure water. Classic coagulants such as ferric sulfate are being used less frequently in some applications because of the success of UV and RO technologies in supplying high-quality water. The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the primary federal statute governing drinking water quality in the United States. The EPA establishes drinking water quality standards and supervises states, municipalities, and water suppliers who meet those criteria. Stricter water quality restrictions may stimulate the use of advanced purification methods that meet or exceed regulatory standards.

Global ferric sulfate market opportunity:

Technological advancement

Recent technological improvements aim to improve ferric sulfate production efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. One important trend is adopting novel methods, such as continuous flow production and waste minimization strategies. A study published in the "Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering" looks at how continuous flow reactors can optimize ferric sulfate production. The study emphasizes the possibility of greater reaction control and lower energy consumption than typical batch operations.

Continuous flow manufacturing allows for a more regulated reaction environment and exact control of reaction parameters. As a result, raw materials are converted more efficiently into ferric sulfate, decreasing resource waste and enhancing total production efficiency. Using waste reduction measures, such as adjusting reactant ratios and recycling byproducts, helps ensure ferric sulfate production's long-term viability. As technology advances, the sector should expect better production scalability and flexibility, allowing it to respond to changing market demands. Compared to alternative water treatment processes, continuous progress in manufacturing efficiency makes ferric sulfate a cost-competitive solution.

Regional Analysis

The global ferric sulfate market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Asia-pacific dominates the global market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global Ferric Sulfate market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% over the forecast period due to fast industrialization and wastewater treatment from manufacturing facilities. Asia is one of the largest paper manufacturers, and an increase in demand for ferric sulfate as a coagulant from paper companies is driving market expansion. According to Trade Map, global imports of wood pulp and cellulose fibers totaled roughly USD 53,084,971, with China alone importing USD 19,240,368 in 2019. Ferric sulfate is also a component of herbicides, molluscicides, and other agricultural products.

Additionally, rapid population expansion in countries such as China and India increases food demand, greatly increasing the demand for ferric sulfate to raise agricultural output. Other factors, such as rapid urbanization and changing lifestyles, are predicted to contribute to rising water usage per capita in China. Governments are investing heavily in wastewater delivery and treatment, which is projected to drive demand for ferric sulfate and polyferric sulfate during the forecast period. For example, the Chinese water and environment engineering business CITIC Envirotech (CEL) received an order worth USD 86 million to construct four water treatment plants.

North America is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.7% over the forecast period. Demand for ferric sulfate rises as demand for double distilled water for high-end electronic applications rises in North America. Sales of ferric sulfate and polyferric sulfate in the United States are expected to grow at a 5% annual pace. The United States is expected to migrate away from aluminum-based coagulants and toward iron-based coagulants. In the United States, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has made it mandatory for industries to treat water before it is disposed of, which will likely boost coagulant sales over the next decade. The oil and gas industry is expected to consume a significant amount of ferric sulfate and polyferric sulfate due to increased oil production and refining capacity. This is expected to generate a large amount of wastewater, resulting in increased consumption of iron coagulants.

Europe holds a significant market share. The expansion of the electronic and semiconductor industries is driving Europe's market. Strict European Union standards for water purification and phosphorous removal from drinking water are expected to drive demand for ferric sulfate in Europe. During the projection period, Germany is expected to hold a substantial market share in the iron-based coagulants market, owing to the high efficiency of iron-based coagulants in removing pollutants from water and wastewater. Germany's power generation and food and beverage industries require a substantial amount of ferric sulfate and poly ferric sulfate for wastewater treatment. Regulatory organizations have restricted the amount of disinfectants and chemicals allowed in treated water. As a result, the use of chlorine as a disinfectant has been restricted. As a result, the region has seen increased demand for ferric sulfate and poly ferric sulfate.

Segmental Analysis

The global ferric sulfate market is segmented based on grade, application, end-use industry, and region.

The market is further segmented by Grade into Reagent Grade, Technical Grade, and USP Grade.

Technical Grade accounts for the largest share of the market.

Technical Grade

Technical grade ferric sulfate is appropriate for various industrial applications where extreme purity is not required, but a certain level of quality is necessary. Technical grade ferric sulfate is the most versatile and widely used grade, with applications ranging from wastewater treatment to municipal water treatment, pickling and etching in metal processing, and pigment and dye synthesis. It is commonly utilized in industrial water treatment, wastewater treatment, and other applications where a cost-quality balance is desired. Technical-grade ferric sulfate is the most widely available because it is produced in larger quantities and by more producers. This broad availability assures a steady supply and reduces procurement issues.

Reagent Grade

The highest purity level of ferric sulfate suitable for analytical and laboratory applications is reagent grade. Precision is essential in chemical laboratories, research institutions, and enterprises. Also, meets stringent standards for analytical procedure accuracy and repeatability. They are used in laboratories for analytical procedures, including titrations, spectrophotometry, and other precision-based studies where reagent purity is critical.

By application, the segment can be further bifurcated into Phosphate Removal, Heavy Metal Removal, Hydrogen Sulfide Control, Coagulant, Oxidizing and Reducing Agent, Mordant, Dentistry and Dermatology, and Lime Softening.

Mordant holds the major market share.

Mordant

In dyeing and printing, ferric sulfate is used as a mordant. Mordant is an important ingredient in the textile industry used to prepare fabrics for dyeing by improving dye adhesion to the fabric. Ferric sulfate is a popular mordant because of its efficacy and low cost. It increases dye affinity for the dyed material, improving color fastness and dye adhesion to fabrics or materials. The worldwide textile business is quickly developing, owing to rising consumer demand for clothes and textiles. This expansion is driving up demand for mordants such as ferric sulfate. Mordant is the market leader in ferric sulfate due to its widespread use in the textile industry, rising demand for textile products, and environmental concerns.

Phosphate Removal

Phosphate is removed from water sources using ferric sulfate. It forms insoluble ferric phosphate residues, which aid in removing phosphate from water in water treatment and environmental remediation procedures.

Based on the end-use industry, the market is fragmented into healthcare, textiles, oil and gas, mining and chemical processing, and electronics.

Textiles influenced the market growth.

Textile

In textile dyeing and printing processes, ferric sulfate acts as a mordant, increasing dye affinity for materials. The textile industry's demand for colorfastness and quality dyes might contribute to a large market share. Ferric sulfate is a common mordant used in the textile industry to improve color adherence to materials. This critical function in textile dyeing processes supports the textile industry's demand for ferric sulfate. The textile sector dominates the ferric sulfate market because of the widespread use of ferric sulfate as a mordant, the rising textile industry, and environmental concerns. The rise of the textile sector and increased environmental restrictions are projected to drive demand for ferric sulfate in the future.

Healthcare

Ferric sulfate is used in medicine for hemostasis (blood management) and dermatological therapies. The healthcare industry frequently prioritizes product purity and adherence to strict quality standards. Healthcare and other industries with rigorous regulatory requirements may prefer ferric sulfate providers who adhere to specific quality and purity standards.

Recent Developments

• September 2023- Kemira joined the UN Global Compact Forward Faster campaign. This worldwide movement brings businesses together to take measurable, credible, and ambitious action to accelerate progress toward the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through its engagement, Kemira is committed to increasing water resilience. This is consistent with its previous participation in the Open Call on Business Leaders to Accelerate Water Action, launched during the UN Water Conference in New York.