Photocatalyst Market

Market Overview

The global photocatalyst market had a share of USD 2157 million in 2021, and is expected to rise to USD 4685 million with a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period of 2030.

A photocatalyst is a component that behaves as a catalyst when exposed to light. Numerous substances exhibit photocatalytic properties, although titanium dioxide is presently considered the most effective photocatalyst. Titanium dioxide is often a white powder commonly found in white pigment, white plastic, and white paper. It is also applied in cosmetics since it absorbs UV rays.

The increased demand for titanium dioxide in industrialized nations, especially Japan, supports the market for photocatalysts. Titanium dioxide's applicability is expanding due to the increased popularity of its hydrophilic characteristics, such as self-cleaning and anti-fogging.

Numerous studies on titanium dioxide photocatalysis applications are expected to further boost the market for photocatalysts.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

• Increased Water Treatment Process and Air Purification Applications

Global demand for photocatalysts is being spurred by expanding the water treatment and air purification industries. Photocatalysts are widely used in water treatment applications to decompose residual dyes in the textile and paper industries. It has been widely applied to water disinfection and wastewater treatment.

 As a green advanced oxidation technique and photocatalysis potential to mineralize numerous toxins, it has been utilized to cleanse polluted groundwaters using parabolic sun concentrating reactors. Photocatalysis has also been used on an engineering scale for the solar photocatalytic treatment of industrial non - biodegradable persistent chlorinated water pollutants and on a scale factor for treating a resin factory's effluents. The worldwide market is driven by the increasing use of photocatalysts in water treatment applications and the expanding water treatment sector. Moreover, as consciousness of the effects of air pollution grows, so does the market for air purifiers. Since photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) air purifiers make less noise, they are in high demand and are expected to boost the expansion of the photocatalyst market.

• Demand for Titanium Dioxide

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is frequently utilized as a photocatalyst in various environmental and energy applications due to its high photoactivity, stability, low cost, and safety for the environment and humans.

The photocatalysts market is attributed to the increasing number of titanium dioxide in industrialized nations, especially Japan. Titanium dioxide's use in applications is developing due to the increased acceptance of its hydrophilic applications, such as self-cleaning and anti-fogging properties.

In self-cleaning applications of titanium dioxide, photo-induced hydrophilicity over the past few years has significantly enlarged the application range of titanium dioxide-coated materials, boosting titanium dioxide's demand.

It is anticipated that the demand for paint and coatings will grow as construction activities expand. TiO2 is a constituent in self-cleaning paints, and as a photocatalyst, it imparts cleaning and antimicrobial capabilities.

Market Restraints

• Expensive Capital Investment

It is anticipated that the significant initial capital investment needed to establish a photocatalyst plant will be a barrier to expanding the market.

Even though there is a growing interest in the promising future application of the photocatalyst, it is predicted that the significant amount of money that must be invested in research to make these applications effective and introduce them to market will be a barrier to the growth of the market.

It is expected that the high initial capital investment required for commercial photocatalyst manufacturing and the use of proprietary technology by manufacturers and researchers will be the primary factors limiting the market's growth. Businesses may not be willing to invest such large sums in technology that is still in its early stages of development.

On the other hand, the enormous scope of prospects in a variety of industries and the discovery of new techniques of production that are less expensive might, in the long run, help ease this problem.

Market Opportunities

It is anticipated that increasing research and development for photocatalysts as disinfectants will present a potential opportunity for the global market for photocatalysts. Since photocatalysis is so much more effective than other disinfection methods, such as chlorination, at deactivating a diverse range of pathogenic microorganisms, it is currently being investigated as a potential replacement for more conventional techniques, such as those which can result in the formation of potentially hazardous byproducts. Photocatalysis is a convenient and efficient process that can be adapted for various exercises to disinfect air and water matrices. This allows photocatalysis to be used in environments that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to clean.

Because photocatalytic processes are capable of disinfection, there is interest being shown in applying them in medical settings at the moment. Coatings applied to bioimplants to utilize photocatalysis to combat bacterial growth have been the research subject.

Studies on the photocatalytic technique for disinfection demonstrate that the process has the potential for widespread applications in the fields of indoor air and environmental health, biological and medical applications, laboratory and hospital applications, the pharmaceutical and food industry, plant protection applications, wastewater and effluents treatment, and drinking water disinfection.

Regional Analysis

The global catalyst market is segmented based on Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific, South America, the Middle East, and Africa.

Asia Pacific to dominate the market with a share of USD 3384 million with a CAGR of 10% during the forecast period. 

China is the largest economy in Asia-Pacific in terms of GDP, and its contribution to the market share in the region is exponential. China's GDP growth rate in 2018 was 6.7% 2019 and 6.1% in 2019. However, the trade war with the United States substantially impacted the country. Unfortunately, due to the spread of COVID-19, the country's economic and industrial manufacturing activities were significantly affected. As soon as the economy recovered, however, China initiated several industrial operations that increased the market demand for photocatalysts.

The photocatalyst market is anticipated to expand concurrently with rising manufacturing and development activities in the coming years.

Europe to have a share of USD 1071 million with a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period. European nations such as Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy contribute substantially to the region's economic output.

Increasing water treatment activities, especially in Germany, are anticipated to increase the demand for photocatalysts. Environmental protection and human health are held in high regard in Germany. Therefore, it has led to the development of efficient water and wastewater treatment methods, and nearly 100% of Germany's wastewater is treated to meet the strictest EU standards.

The German market for industrial wastewater treatment is the largest in Europe, with nearly 3,000 treatment plants servicing approximately 12,000 discharging companies. Each year, the country treats more than 920 million cubic meters of industrial wastewater before releasing it into the environment. Consequently, it is anticipated that the demand for photocatalysts will increase over the foreseeable future.

Segmental Analysis

On the Basis of Type

The global photocatalyst market is segmented based on titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and others.

The titanium dioxide segment is expected to have a value of USD 2908 million with a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period. 

Titanium dioxide is widely used for various applications due to its numerous properties, including high photocatalytic activity, physical and chemical stability, low cost, non-corrosiveness, nontoxicity, and high availability. Some TiO2 materials used for photocatalysis are three-dimensional, facetted, defective, composite, and hydrogenated.

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been considered for a long time as one of the most promising photocatalysts for removing environmental pollution and producing hydrogen from water in the presence of sunlight.

As nanoparticles and thin films, titanium dioxide has the potential to be utilized in energy production. As a photocatalyst, it can decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen could be employed as fuel if it is collected. Continued advancements in hydrogen fuel cell automobiles will increase the demand for mass-production-required materials such as TIO2.

Consequently, due to such factors, the demand for photocatalysts based on titanium dioxide is anticipated to increase from various end-user applications over the forecast period.

Zinc oxide has a share of USD 1054 million with a CAGR of 10% during the forecast period. 

Zinc oxide is an inorganic component that occurs naturally as the mineral zincite. But even so, it is produced commercially by the high-temperature oxidation of zinc ores or metallic zinc. It is a white, grey, or yellowish powder with no odor and a bitter taste. Insoluble in water but soluble in dilute acids and bases.

Zinc oxide, which has a high surface reactivity due to many native defect sites resulting from oxygen nonstoichiometric, has emerged as a more effective photocatalyst material than other metal oxides. ZnO has higher reaction and mineralization rates and can generate hydroxyl ions more efficiently than titania (TiO2).

On the Basis of Applications

Broad photocatalyst applications based on zinc oxide are expected to expand the global photocatalyst market significantly.

Based on applications, the market is bifurcated into Self-Cleaning, Air Purification, Water Treatment, Anti-Fogging, and others.

Self-cleaning is expected to have a valuation of USD 3348 million with a CAGR of 11% during the forecast period. 

Self-cleaning via photocatalysis is likely the most widely used nano function in construction. Numerous structures across the world utilize this feature. Its primary effect is to reduce the adhesion of dirt to surfaces significantly. In addition, light transmission for glazing and translucent membranes is improved as less surface dirt, and grime obscures daylight, reducing lighting energy costs.

Photocatalytic paints and coatings have recently been developed for building exteriors and interiors. Photocatalytic Coatings not only remove dirt but also degrade contaminants, stains, airborne pollutants, and smog from the building's exterior surfaces.

The global construction industry is growing at a healthy rate. Asia-Pacific, Middle Eastern, and African regions are experiencing significant investment in construction due to the numerous market opportunities available. This is anticipated to create more growth opportunities for the photocatalyst market.

Water treatment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10% and reach a value of USD 790 million by 2030.

Titanium dioxide is currently the most prevalent photocatalyst on the market. Zinc oxide is also widely used, albeit to a lesser extent. In upcoming years, the increasing demand for water treatment is anticipated in the global market for photocatalysts.

Impact of covid-19

The coronavirus had a severe effect on the global market for photocatalysts.

COVID-19 originated in China to the rest of the world, resulting in a global lockdown and complete withdrawal of all movement. Coronavirus is a deadly disease caused by a recently discovered coronavirus. Globally, the mortality rate for people aged 40 and older has elevated. The disease causes severe illness in individuals with medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic respiratory disease,

In light of the circumstances, a pandemic was declared, which resulted in numerous countries, including China, the United States, and India, implementing lockdowns that harmed the global economy.

The coronavirus pandemic became even more severe than the Great Financial Crisis. The pandemic decreased investment and postponed numerous projects across industries, including the construction, paints and coatings, water treatment, paper, and automotive sectors. Consequently, global demand for photocatalysts decreased.

Market Recovery Timeline and Challenges

As lockdowns were lifted and economic stimulus packages were implemented, auto sales in the third quarter of 2020 stabilized. The market for photocatalysts experienced a partial reversal of some of the negative sentiments from previous quarters.

The increase in demand for personal vehicles during the pandemic also contributed to automobile sales growth in the third quarter of 2020.

Recent Developments

• 2022, Lomon Billions to promote new titanium dioxide pigments for coatings and inks at ACS 2022
• 2022, Lomon Billions simplifies the branding of its titanium dioxide pigments.
• 2022, The Chemours Company and N.C A&T Partner to advance chemistry and chemical engineering education and opportunities for students.