Market Dynamics
Global molecular sieves market drivers
Outstanding performance characteristics
Molecular sieves are porous crystalline aluminosilicates created through synthetic engineering with a strong affinity for certain-sized molecules. The uniformity of its pore-size openings distinguishes the molecular sieve from other media. Molecular sieve particles' pores can have different sizes depending on the manufacturing process. This distinctive feature is made possible by using a molecular sieve product that can absorb water vapor but exclude other molecules, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may or may not be present in the package. Molecular sieves' selective adsorption properties can dry a package or environment while leaving behind other beneficial compounds.
In some circumstances, the molecular sieve can capture water vapor at temperatures well above 225°C. The molecular sieve can reduce the relative humidity (RH) in an environment to as low as 1% RH because of its strong affinity for water vapor. It can remove water molecules that have been trapped in a silica gel bead that is completely saturated due to its incredibly high moisture absorption properties (which show desorption characteristics unlike molecular sieve). Even at high temperatures, molecular sieves have a great capacity to absorb moisture.
Increasing demand from automotive and transportation industries
The automotive industry relies heavily on molecular sieves for several significant water issues. In general, moisture in an automobile's system can lead to component corrosion and shorten the car's life. Desiccants are thus incorporated into the automobile system at the OEM stage in order to safeguard it from the effects of moisture and lower maintenance costs in the future. Desiccants for molecular sieves are used in the systems as bags or cartridges. Silica gel was initially utilized in automotive applications. However, due to their high-water retention capacity, molecular sieves have taken their place in modern times. Additionally, molecular sieves lack the moisture absorption qualities of silica gel. The air brake systems of heavy and medium-duty trucks, buses, and trains, where the brakes are powered by air, primarily use molecular sieves.
Global molecular sieves market restraints
High price of molecular sieves
The unique selective adsorption properties of molecular sieves set them apart from competing products, as do their excellent performance even at high temperatures. The actual costs per unit or final price depend on the engineered manufacturing process, the amount that needs to be dried out, and the required degree of dryness. The capital-intensive end-users prefer alternatives like montmorillonite clay, silica gel, calcium oxide, and calcium sulfate due to their low cost and satisfactory performance. Therefore, the high price of molecular sieves is expected to impede the expansion of the global market.
Global molecular sieves market opportunities
Growth opportunities in the pharmacy industry
The chain of steps used to make pharmaceuticals must include molecular sieves. They contribute to extending the shelf life of the medications by protecting them from moisture. Pharmaceutical products like effervescent, lozenges, and tablets are packaged in canisters and packets using a molecular sieve. Nutraceuticals like dietary supplements, immune boosters, and sports supplements must be properly stored to avoid product deterioration from discoloration, odors, and moisture contamination.
Furthermore, ELISA kits, urinalysis strips, comminuted sheet material for diapers, sanitary napkins, adult incontinence products, and various in-vitro and clinical diagnostic tools are additional important uses for molecular sieves. In terms of revenue and business, the pharmaceutical industry has emerged as one of the ones with the fastest growth rates. Rising cases of terrible diseases, rising traffic accidents, rising geriatric populations, technological advancements, and supportive governmental policies positively impact global pharmaceutical industry growth. As a result, it is anticipated that there will be an increase in production and use during the forecast period.
Regional Analysis
By region, the global molecular sieves market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.
Asia-pacific dominates the global market
Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global molecular sieves market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.64% during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific accounted for more than 30% of market revenue in 2022, and it is anticipated that it will continue to be the region that generates the most money during this forecast period. Urbanization and quick industrialization in the area is driving the market for molecular sieves to grow. The market has grown significantly with help from South Asian nations, including India, China, Indonesia, and Indonesia. In addition, the market for molecular sieves is predicted to benefit from the expansion of the oil and gas industry. By 2022, India and China are expected to account for about half of the additional consumption in the Asia-Pacific region.
Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.12% during the forecast period. The highest growth is anticipated for Europe during the forecast period due to the rapid expansion of many end-user industries, including packaging, oil and gas, automotive, and coatings. The molecular sieves market report's country section also lists specific market-impacting variables and updates on domestic market regulations that impact the market's present and future trends. Some key data points used to forecast the market scenario for specific countries include consumption volumes, production sites and volumes, import-export analysis, price trend analysis, raw material cost, and upstream and downstream value chain analysis. It also considers trade routes, the impact of domestic tariffs, the presence and accessibility of international brands, the challenges they face due to solid or weak competition from local and domestic brands, and their presence and accessibility of international brands when providing forecast analysis of the country data.
Segmental Analysis
The global molecular sieves market is segmented by type, shape, product, and end-user.
Based on the type, the global molecular sieves market is bifurcated into 4A, 3A, 5A, 13X, and zeolite Y.
The 4A segment is the highest contributor to the market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.67% during the forecast period. The effective pore opening of the 4A molecular sieve, an alkali metal aluminosilicate, is about 4 angstroms. The sodium form of type A has good physical and adsorption properties and is frequently used as a general-purpose drying agent. Water, ammonia, methanol, ethanol, and carbon dioxide can all be adsorbed using them. They are also employed to eliminate moisture from streams of liquid and gas. In addition, the molecular sieve type 4A is a virgin type from which other types are produced through ion exchange. This kind of molecular sieve cannot adsorb larger molecules than 4A. Further, water, sulfur hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methanol, ethylene, ethanol, and propylene are substances that adsorb. It is typically preferred for drying the packaging of perishable foods, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, diagnostic kits, electronics, and electrical systems.
The molecular sieve does not adsorb any molecules larger than type 3A, which is the pore size indicated by type 3A. Typically, type 3A is created by ion-exchanging potassium for sodium in type 4A. The alkali metal aluminosilicate 3A molecular sieve has a high crush strength, longevity, and high adsorption rate. It is ideally suited for adsorbing the petroleum and chemical sectors' cracking gases, ethylene, propylene, ethanol, methanol, butadiene, acetylene, and non-acidic gases or liquids.
Based on the shape, the global molecular sieves market is bifurcated into beads, pellets, and powder.
The beads segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.23% during the forecast period. It is a molecular sieve in spherical form. The demand is anticipated to grow due to the growing use of molecular sieves in the form of beads for drying air and compressed gases, insulation glass, refrigerants, natural gas, drying refinery gas streams, industrial drying, and packaging.
Based on the product, the global molecular sieves market is bifurcated into zeolites, activated carbon, and clay.
The zeolites segment is the highest contributor to the market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.17% during the forecast period. Zeolites process strong selective adsorption abilities. More than any other adsorbent, they are appropriate for drying, purifying, and separating a wide range of feeds. They are utilized in various gas production processes, including exhaust gas treatment, drying applications of naphtha-cracked gas and organic solutions, removing trace moisture from urethane paints and sealants, and more.
The high from activated carbon is well known. Typically, they come from charcoal. They are widely used in producing electrons, metal heat treatment, and food product preservation. Activated carbon is also used in medicine for overdose and poisoning treatments involving oral ingestion. They deal with indigestion, diarrhea, and flatulence.
Based on the end-user, the global molecular sieves market is bifurcated into oil and gas, automotive, packaging, coatings, wastewater treatment, and detergents.
The oil and gas segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.45% during the forecast period. Molecular sieves are widely used in refineries and in processing natural gas, petroleum, petrochemicals, gas separation, fuel ethanol, and hydrogen. A molecular sieve is used in the processing of natural gas for a variety of tasks, including dehydration before the cryogenic recovery of natural gas liquids and helium, removal of sulfur compounds from ethane, propane, and butane, removal of water and CO2 before the liquefaction of methane, dehydration of high acid gas content (CO2 and H2S) from natural gas and natural gas condensate streams, removal of water and sulfur compounds to protect the gas transmission.
Furthermore, the molecular sieve is employed in gas separation processes such as removing sulfur from high purity food grade CO2, separating O2 and N2 using pressure swing or vacuum swing adsorption systems, and recovering inert gases through adsorption. These are also used for purifying pharmaceutical-grade ethanol and drying and purifying hydrogen using either pressure swing adsorption or thermal swing adsorption.
In automotive air brakes, molecular sieves are utilized. It is bad for the air brake system of heavy- and medium-duty trucks, buses, and trains when compressed air contains water. For instance, the water can freeze in cold climates, resulting in brake failure. Compressed air from the air brake system is dried using a molecular sieve, preventing freezing and corrosion of the brake lines and reducing the possibility of brake failure. In the automotive industry, absorbents are also used in mobile air conditioning and refrigeration systems. Moisture can cause corrosion and freeze-up in transport refrigeration systems and automotive A/C. In such systems, moisture is absorbed and held by a molecular sieve.
