Global Potassium Fluoride (KF) Market Research Report 2023-Competitive Analysis, Status and Outlook by Type, Downstream Industry, and Geography, Forecast to 2029

Global Potassium Fluoride (KF) Market Research Report 2023-Competitive Analysis, Status and Outlook by Type, Downstream Industry, and Geography, Forecast to 2029

Potassium fluoride is a fluoride salt with K+ as the counterion and is the main source of fluoride ions in manufacturing and chemical applications. It is an alkali metal halide, which exists naturally as rare mineral carnitine. It has the effect of poison. Potassium fluoride is white powder or crystals with a strong saltwater taste and is transported in the form of a solid or aqueous solution. Strong fluoride can irritate the skin, eyes and mucous membranes, and is toxic when ingested. Potassium fluoride is an important inorganic compound, mainly used as a co-solvent for various metals or alloys, and can also be used in industries such as glass carving, food preservation, medicine, pesticides, dyes and electroplating.

Market Overview:

The latest research study on the global Potassium Fluoride (KF) market finds that the global Potassium Fluoride (KF) market reached a value of USD 1084.03 million in 2022. It’s expected that the market will achieve USD 1786.08 million by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.68% during the forecast period.

Supply chain disruption

The blockade of the epidemic has affected the transportation of raw materials for the production of potassium fluoride globally, caused supply chain interruptions, caused many manufacturers to have procurement problems, and brought significant logistics challenges to companies that rely on imported raw materials. If the procurement of raw materials is blocked, the manufacture of potassium fluoride will also be affected, forcing many factories to restrict or temporarily close. However, the closure of the Chinese factory has helped manufacturers outside of Europe, the United States and India fill the gap and increase the order volume to a certain extent.

Demand shocks cause supply and demand imbalances

The demand disruption caused by the spread of the new crown epidemic has accelerated the potassium fluoride industry into a situation of imbalance between supply and demand, which was imminent before the outbreak. The electronics industry and industry are the end markets that are more severely affected by the epidemic. On the other hand, the demand for medicines is peaking.

Strength

Wide range of downstream applications.
The production process is improving.

Weakness

Hazard to life and health.
Potential fire hazards for storage and transportation due to the release of oxidants in contact with water and metals.

Opportunities

The development of emerging markets.
Increased demand for food production and in consumer electronics.

Threat

Strict production standards, storage and transportation regulations and government supervision.
Increasingly stringent production requirements for energy conservation and emission reduction.

Region Overview:

In global comparison, a significant portion of the revenue was generated in Asia Pacific (54.02% in 2021).

Company Overview:

Yellow River Fine Chemical is one of the major players operating in the Potassium Fluoride (KF) market, holding a share of 9.05% in 2022.

Yellow River Fine Chemical

Xinxiang Huanghe Fine Chemical Co., Ltd. is the largest fluoride salt manufacturing base in China. Its main product: potassium fluoride of Paor brand, which ranks among the top in the world in terms of production and sales. The main products are: cryolite, silicon dioxide, potassium fluoride with high specific gravity, high-purity potassium fluoride, Kaosan brand fluorosilicic acid, potassium fluoride and other products.

Xinxiang Xinghan Chemical

Xinxiang Xinghan Chemical Co., Ltd. is a cross-regional comprehensive company integrating production, operation and scientific research. Strong technical force, exquisite workmanship, complete monitoring equipment, stable product quality. Mainly engaged in the production and sales of fluoride and silicate.

Segmentation Overview:

Among different product types, Neutralizational Process segment is anticipated to contribute the largest market share in 2027.

Neutralizational Process

The neutralization process is to add solid potassium hydroxide or potassium carbonate to the reactor, add water to dissolve it, add anhydrous hydrogen fluoride from the bottom of the reactor for neutralization, and after standing and settling, the supernatant liquid is sent to the vacuum evaporator for vacuum concentration crystallization. After pressure filtration, the mother liquor is recycled, and the potassium fluoride filter cake is integrated into a dryer for drying to obtain a finished product. The neutralization process has the advantages of simple equipment, convenient operation and high product quality. It is the most commonly used method at present, but the raw material cost of this method is high.

K2SiF Process

The process of preparing potassium fluoride using K2SiF as a raw material is to first calcinate K2SiF at 750-900 degrees Celsius, then cool the frit to room temperature, pulverize and extract potassium fluoride with water. The filtered K2SiF is dried and then cyclically sintered. The obtained potassium fluoride aqueous solution is concentrated and then dehydrated to obtain anhydrous potassium fluoride. The method has the advantages of low raw material cost, easy control of process conditions, and effective removal of iron impurities. However, this method is mostly operated at high temperatures, with high energy consumption and high requirements for equipment materials.

Fluorite Process

The process of preparing potassium fluoride using fluorite as a raw material is to melt and calcinate fluorite and potassium carbonate or potassium hydroxide at high temperature and then hydrolyzed to obtain potassium fluoride. The disadvantages of this method are high energy consumption, low product yield, and inability to obtain highly active potassium fluoride, so it is difficult to realize industrial production.

Application Overview:

By application, the Industrial segment occupied the biggest share from 2017 to 2022.

Agrochemicals

Potassium fluoride is widely used to provide the required amount of fluorine addition, especially in halogen exchange reactions where it is necessary to remove chlorine atoms and replace it with fluorine atoms. Compared with hydrofluoric acid, potassium fluoride is easier to handle for users and has a greater degree of selectivity. Potassium fluoride is still very popular and is used as many insecticides and herbicides.

Electronic

In the electronics industry, potassium fluoride is a key chemical for the manufacture of silicon-based semiconductor devices. Its ability to attack silicon oxide and convert it into soluble compounds is the basis for many applications in cleaning and etching processes. Hydrofluoric acid is used in combination with nitric acid for silicon etching, as a buffered oxide etching in combination with ammonium fluoride solution, and as dilute HF for final cleaning steps and removal of natural oxides.

Industrial

Potassium fluoride is used in important industries to improve process efficiency and economic performance. It helps to produce fuel that burns efficiently, providing longer engine life and lower emissions. In glass production, it can be used to cut surface patterns and can also be used to treat glass surfaces. Inorganic fluoride is also an important component of ceramic glaze.

Metal & Metallurgy

Potassium fluoride is used in many stages of metal processing, such as primary aluminum manufacturing, stainless steel, and foundries. Potassium fluoride can be used as a flux to lower the melting point, thereby saving energy. It can also be used as a metal refining agent. It can also be used as a protective material for metal surfaces before decoration and finishing.

Pharmaceuticals

In the pharmaceutical field, potassium fluoride also plays a vital role. Potassium fluoride and some proprietary analgesics, antibiotics and antidepressants are the first choice of fluoride source. Recently, significant progress has been made in the development of a series of organic fluorine compounds based on CF2 and CF3 groups. These include an anesthetic and a well-known anti-malarial drug. Modern drugs that now benefit from the development of the potassium fluoride industry include a leading anti-arthritis drug and a very promising treatment for HIV.

Key Companies in the global Potassium Fluoride (KF) market covered in Chapter 3:

Morita Chemical
Jinsha
SB Chemicals
Nantong Jinxing Fluorides Chemical
Yellow River Fine Chemical
Harshil Fluoride
Wuxi Ruiyuan Chemical Co., Ltd.
Xinxiang Xinghan Chemical

In Chapter 4 and Chapter 14.2, on the basis of types, the Potassium Fluoride (KF) market from 2018 to 2029 is primarily split into:

Neutralizational Process
K2SiF Process
Fluorite Process

In Chapter 5 and Chapter 14.3, on the basis of Downstream Industry, the Potassium Fluoride (KF) market from 2018 to 2029 covers:

Agrochemicals
Electronic
Industrial
Metal & Metallurgy
Pharmaceuticals

Geographically, the detailed analysis of consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate, historic and forecast (2018-2029) of the following regions are covered in Chapter 8 to Chapter 14:

North America (United States, Canada)
Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Netherlands, Turkey, Switzerland, Sweden)
Asia Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia)
Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Argentina)
Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, South Africa)