Ferric Sulfate and Polyferric Sulfate Market Forecasts to 2030 – Global Analysis By Product Type (Ferric Sulfate and Polyferric Sulfate), Process (Pickling Process, Sulphate Process and Oxidation), Application, End User and by Geography
According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Ferric Sulfate and Polyferric Sulfate Market is accounted for $482.12 million in 2024 and is expected to reach $699.52 million by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period. Ferric sulfate is a versatile inorganic compound that is mainly used as a coagulant in water treatment processes. It works to rid water of impurities and pollutants by encouraging the accumulation of suspended particles, which are then easily filtered out. The ability of ferric sulfate to reduce water's pH also helps to increase the precipitation of different pollutants. However, compared to conventional ferric sulfate, polyferric sulfate (PFS) is a more sophisticated coagulant that has a number of benefits. PFS, which is made of polymeric ferric sulfate, improves flocculation, which enhances sedimentation and filtration efficiency.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ferric sulfate is primarily used in water treatment applications, accounting for over 50% of its total domestic consumption.
Market Dynamics:Driver:Growing need for pure water
The demand for safe and clean drinking water is rising as the world's population continues to rise. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2 billion people do not currently have access to drinking water services that are safely managed. Due to the pressing need, businesses and municipalities are investing in efficient water treatment systems, in which ferric and polyferric sulfates are essential coagulants. Moreover, water treated with these chemicals becomes fit for drinking and other uses by removing suspended solids and impurities. Governments prioritizing infrastructure development to enhance water quality are likely to drive a large increase in demand for these coagulants.
Restraint:Exorbitant infrastructure costs for water treatment
Water treatment facilities demand a large initial investment, which frequently presents a major obstacle for businesses and municipalities, particularly in developing nations. The cost of the multistage facilities and equipment required for efficient water treatment may be unaffordable. The UN Water Integrated Monitoring Initiative estimates that 44% of domestic wastewater globally—and especially in the least developed nations—is not properly treated. Additionally, this lack of sufficiency results from the failure to make the required infrastructural investments, which in turn restricts the need for coagulants such as ferric and polyferric sulfate.
Opportunity:Increasing infrastructure investment in water treatment
In order to comply with strict environmental regulations and enhance public health outcomes, governments across the globe are making significant investments in modernizing and expanding water treatment facilities. Notable investments in this field include the USD 86 million orders that CITIC Envirotech received to build four water treatment plants in China. Furthermore, the implementation of ferric sulfate and polyferric sulfate as necessary coagulants in municipal and industrial wastewater treatment processes is made possible by such initiatives.
Threat:Threat from alternative technologies for water treatment
The development of sophisticated water treatment technologies, such as reverse osmosis (RO) filtration and ultraviolet (UV) disinfection, poses a serious threat to the conventional application of ferric and polyferric sulfate. These technologies are attractive alternatives for industries and municipalities because they offer higher purification efficiency and can remove harmful bacteria and pathogens in addition to suspended particles. Moreover, the growing use of RO filtration systems and UV technologies may reduce the need for chemical coagulants such as ferric sulfate. Traditional coagulants may see a decline in market share as a result of this move towards more efficient technologies.
Covid-19 Impact:
The market for ferric and polyferric sulfates has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing supply chain and production disruptions. Many companies were forced to stop production as a result of labor shortages and lockdowns, which led to manufacturing operations being shut down. This resulted in a decline in output across various sectors that use these chemicals, such as agriculture, electronics, and textiles. Additionally, transportation limitations also made it more difficult for raw materials needed to produce ferric sulfate to be moved, which made the shortage of supply worse.
The Ferric Sulfate segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The ferric sulfate segment has the largest share in the market for ferric and polyferric sulfates. Its widespread use as a coagulant in water treatment procedures, where it efficiently eliminates fine particles and contaminants from water, is principally responsible for its dominance. The capacity of ferric sulfate to suppress the zeta potential of colloidal systems, improving particle aggregation and sedimentation, is one of its advantages over substitutes, such as ferric chloride. Furthermore, ferric sulfate's applications in a variety of industries, such as textiles, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, are contributing to its rising demand.
The Water Treatment Chemical segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
In the ferric sulfate and polyferric sulfate market, the segment for water treatment chemicals is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR. Because ferric and polyferric sulfates are known for their superior performance in eliminating pollutants from wastewater, there is a growing need for efficient coagulants in municipal and industrial water treatment processes, which is the primary driver of this growth. Moreover, a focus for investment and innovation, the Water Treatment Chemical segment is positioned as a critical driver of market growth due to the efficacy of these chemicals in improving water quality and growing awareness of water safety.
Region with largest share:The market for ferric and polyferric sulfates is dominated by the Asia-Pacific region. This dominance is mostly due to the fast industrialization and urbanization of nations like China and India, where there is a high demand for efficient water treatment systems. Ferric sulfate is used extensively as a coagulant for wastewater treatment, largely due to the region's thriving manufacturing sectors, especially in the production of paper and textiles.
Region with highest CAGR:The market for ferric and polyferric sulfates is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR in the North America region over the course of the forecast period due to the growing need for efficient water treatment solutions, particularly in the United States and Canada. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces strict water quality regulations that require wastewater to be treated before being released, which is largely responsible for this growth. Furthermore, the market's growth in this area is also supported by the ongoing modernization of aging infrastructure and growing public awareness of access to clean water.
Key players in the market
Some of the key players in Ferric Sulfate and Polyferric Sulfate market include Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Airedale Chemical, Hunan Yide Chemical Co., Ltd., Lubon Industry Co., Ltd., BAUMINAS Group, Cosmo Chemical Co. Ltd, Pencco, Inc., Chemtrade Logistics Inc., Altivia Chemicals, LLC, Chemifloc Limited, Kemira Oyj and Clinty Chemicals.
Key Developments:In July 2024, Kemira has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Norit’s UK reactivation business from Purton Carbons Limited. This strategic move marks Kemira's inaugural foray into the activated carbon market, specifically targeting the removal of micropollutants.
In April 2024, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CorEvitas, a provider of regulatory-grade, real-world evidence for approved medical treatments and therapies, from Audax Private Equity, for $912.5 million in cash. CorEvitas will become part of Thermo Fisher's Laboratory Products and Biopharma Services segment. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.
In October 2023, Cosmo Energy Holdings Co., Ltd. and Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation concluded a basic agreement concerning a joint study toward the realization of carbon capture and utilization (CCU) that converts CO2 into a valuable resource by utilizing CO2 electrolysis. In this joint study, Toshiba ESS will provide a CO2 electrolysis technology that electrolyzes CO2 to produce carbon monoxide (CO) at a high conversion rate.
Product Types Covered:
• Ferric Sulfate
• Polyferric Sulfate
Processes Covered:
• Pickling Process
• Sulphate Process
• Oxidation
Applications Covered:
• Water Treatment Chemical
• Odor Agent
• Solid Separation Agent
• Other Applications
End Users Covered:
• Power Generation
• Oil and Gas
• Chemicals
• Mineral and Metallurgy
• Food and Beverages
• Pulp and Paper
• Municipal and Domestics
• Other End Users
Regions Covered:
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa
What our report offers:- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026, and 2030
- Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements