Chelating Agents Market Analysis Growth, Trends and Regional Forecast 2024-2028

Chelating Agents Market Size 2024-2028 

The chelating agents market size is estimated to grow by USD 1.64 billion at a CAGR of 4.33% between 2023 and 2028. The market is witnessing a significant rise in demand for chelating agents due to their essential role in improving paper quality and enhancing production efficiency. Simultaneously, the agriculture sector faces growing concerns over soil degradation, making the use of chelating agents increasingly relevant for improving soil fertility and nutrient availability. Furthermore, stringent government regulations on the treatment of water effluents necessitate the adoption of chelating agents to effectively manage and reduce heavy metal contamination in industrial wastewater. These factors collectively underscore the importance and growing demand for chelating agents across various industries.

What will be the Size of the Market During the Forecast Period?

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Market Dynamic and Customer Landscape

Chelating agents are organic compounds that form complex structures with metal ions, making them essential in various industries. The global chelating agents market is driven by the increasing demand from cleaning products, surface cleaners, detergents, soaps, and shampoos. In homes, workplaces, and commercial spaces, these agents are used to remove minerals and hard water deposits, improving hygiene and cleaning efficiency. Beyond household applications, chelating agents find extensive use in water treatment, pulp and paper, agriculture, and food and beverages industries. They help remove heavy metals and other contaminants from potable water and industrial wastewater, ensuring water quality. In agriculture, they enhance the availability of essential minerals to plants, while in food and beverages, they improve taste and texture. Market participants use raw materials like ethylenediamine and formaldehyde to produce chelating agents. Industrial processes, such as water treatment and waste management, rely on these agents to remove metal ions and prevent corrosion. In healthcare settings, chelating agents are used in chelation therapy to treat chronic diseases caused by heavy metal poisoning. The market is expected to grow due to the increasing awareness of water conservation and the need for efficient industrial processes. Our researchers analyzed the data with 2023 as the base year, along with the key drivers, trends, and challenges. A holistic analysis of drivers will help companies refine their marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage.

Key Market Driver

The rising demand for chelating agents from the pulp and paper industry is notably driving market growth. Chelating agents are essential additives used in various industries, including cleaning products, to enhance their performance. In cleaning applications, they are employed in surface cleaners, detergents, soaps, and shampoos to improve their ability to remove minerals and hard water scale. The use of chelating agents in hygiene products extends to workplaces, homes, and commercial spaces, ensuring better hygiene and reducing the risk of chronic diseases. These agents play a crucial role in water treatment, particularly in the removal of heavy metals like nickel and chromium from potable water. In addition, they contribute to the antimicrobial effect of disinfectants, enhancing their ability to eliminate bacteria and viruses. Beyond hygiene and cleaning, chelating agents find extensive applications in industries such as paper and pulp, oil and gas, textile, agriculture, food and beverages, and agrochemicals. In water treatment, they help in the removal of minerals and heavy metals from wastewater, contributing to effective waste management. In industrial processes, they are used for metal cleaning, metal plating, metal recycling, and scale removal. Market participants in the chelating agents industry include Pulp and Paper, Metal ions, Wastewater, Heavy metals, Industrial processes, Metal cleaning, Metal plating, Metal recycling, Waste management, and Chronic diseases sectors. The increasing demand for these agents in various industries, coupled with their ability to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of processes, is expected to drive market growth. Thus, such factors are driving the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Significant Market Trends

The increasing focus on biodegradable chelating agents is the key trend in the market. Chelating agents are essential compounds used in various industries for their ability to sequester metal ions and improve the performance of cleaning products. These agents are extensively employed in the production of surface cleaners, detergents, soaps, shampoos, and other personal care products. In homes and commercial spaces, they help maintain hygiene by removing minerals and hard water scale, enhancing the color and antimicrobial effect of cleaning agents. In industrial processes, they are used in water treatment, oil and gas, textile, agriculture, food and beverages, and agrochemicals for applications such as metal cleaning, metal plating, metal recycling, waste management, and scale removal. Chelating agents are also used in healthcare settings and pulp and paper industries for their role in removing heavy metals from potable water and wastewater. The market for chelating agents is driven by the growing demand for efficient cleaning solutions and the increasing focus on water conservation and waste reduction. Allergies to certain chelating agents and chronic diseases associated with their long-term use are potential challenges for market participants. Thus, such trends will shape the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Major Market Challenge

The growing availability of substitutes is the major challenge that affects the growth of the market. Chelating agents are essential additives in various industries, including cleaning products, surface cleaners, detergents, soaps, and shampoos. These agents play a crucial role in removing minerals, hard water, and impurities, enhancing the hygiene and effectiveness of these products in homes, workplaces, and commercial spaces. The market for chelating agents spans across diverse sectors, such as pulp and paper, water treatment, oil and gas, textile, agriculture, food and beverages, and agrochemicals. Chelating agents exhibit various properties, including color, antimicrobial effect, and scale removal. They are used in disinfectants to improve their performance and stability. In water treatment, they aid in the removal of heavy metals and industrial waste, ensuring the purity of potable water. In the textile industry, they are employed for metal cleaning, metal plating, and metal recycling. In healthcare settings, they are used in waste management and chronic disease treatment due to their ability to bind with metal ions. Market participants include Pulp and Paper, Metal ions, Wastewater, Heavy metals, Industrial processes, and Metal cleaning industries. The demand for chelating agents is driven by the increasing need for efficient cleaning and water treatment solutions, growing awareness of hygiene, and expanding applications in various industries. Despite their benefits, some chelating agents may cause allergies or pose health risks, necessitating stringent regulations and research for safer alternatives. Hence, the above factors will impede the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Exclusive Customer Landscape

The market forecasting report includes the adoption lifecycle of the market, covering from the innovator's stage to the laggard's stage. It focuses on adoption rates in different regions based on penetration. Furthermore, the report also includes key purchase criteria and drivers of price sensitivity to help companies evaluate and develop their market growth analysis strategies.

 Customer Landscape

Key Companies & Market Insights

Companies are implementing various strategies, such as strategic alliances, partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, geographical expansion, and product/service launches, to enhance their presence in the market.

Akzo Nobel NV - The company offers chelating agents namely Dissolvine, which is capable of adding or removing metals in an efficient manner.

The market research and growth report also includes detailed analyses of the competitive landscape of the market and information about key companies, including:

• Akzo Nobel NV
• Archer Daniels Midland Co.
• Ascend Performance Materials
• AVA Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.
• Azelis SA
• BASF SE
• CD Formulation
• Dow Chemical Co.
• Hexion Inc.
• Huntsman International LLC
• Innospec Inc.
• Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG
• Kemira Oyj
• Lanxess AG
• Merck KGaA
• Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corp.
• NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO. LTD
• Nouryon
• Syensqo SA
• Univar Solutions Inc.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of companies has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize companies as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize companies as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak.

Market Segmentation

By Type 

The APCA segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Aminopolycarboxylic acids (APCAs), specifically ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) and nitrilotriacetate (NTA), serve as essential chelating agents in various cleaning products, including surface cleaners, detergents, soaps, shampoos, and disinfectants. Their primary function is to control the solubility and precipitation of metal ions, making them indispensable in industrial processes and household applications. In addition, they are effective in removing minerals, such as hard water, from water sources, enhancing hygiene in workplaces, homes, and commercial spaces.

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The APCA segment accounted for USD 2.37 billion in 2018. APCAs also exhibit color stability and antimicrobial effects, making them suitable for use in paper and pulp, water treatment, oil and gas, textile, agriculture, food and beverages, and agrochemicals. Furthermore, they are instrumental in heavy metal removal from wastewater and are employed in metal cleaning, metal plating, metal recycling, waste management, and healthcare settings. Moreover, APCAs and their metal chelates have applications in producing agents for radiotherapy, diagnostic imaging, and heavy metal detoxification. The market for chelating agents is diverse, with significant participation from key players in the pulp and paper, metal ions, and wastewater treatment industries. However, potential allergic reactions to certain chelating agents, such as nickel and chromium, necessitate ongoing research and development efforts to address these concerns. The shelf-life and stability of chelating agents are also crucial factors influencing their market growth.

Regional Analysis

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APAC is estimated to contribute 41% to the growth of the global market during the market forecast period. Technavio's analysts have elaborately explained the regional trends and drivers that shape the market during the forecast period. Chelation therapy, a medical treatment that uses chelating agents to remove heavy metals from the body, has gained significant attention in various industries. The global market for chelating agents is driven by their applications in diverse sectors, including reservoirs for enhancing nutrient absorption in modern farming techniques and improving crop yields. These agents are derived from raw materials such as Ethylenediamine, Formaldehyde, Acetic acid, and Phosphorus derivatives. Beyond agriculture, chelating agents find extensive use in industrial applications. They are integral to cleaning solutions for removing scale, rust, and stains in industries like water environment management and industrial manufacturing. Their antimicrobial effects make them valuable in hygiene maintenance and wastewater treatment. In addition, they are used as bleaching agents and in e-commerce activities for preserving the shelf life of products in plastic and paper-based packaging. The versatility of chelating agents continues to expand, making them indispensable in numerous industries.

Segment Overview

The market report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in "USD Billion " for the period 2024-2028, as well as historical data from 2018-2022 for the following segments.

• Type Outlook
  • APCA
  • Sodium gluconate
  • Organophosphonate
  • Others

• Application Outlook
  • Pulp and Paper
  • Houshold and industrial cleaning
  • Agrochemicals
  • Water treatment
  • Others

• Region Outlook
  • North America
    • The U.S.
    • Canada
  • Europe
    • U.K.
    • Germany
    • France
    • Rest of Europe
  • APAC
    • China
    • India
  • Middle East & Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • South Africa
    • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
  • South America
    • Argentina
    • Brazil
    • Chile

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Market Analyst Overview

Chelating agents are organic compounds that play a crucial role in various industries, including cleaning products, surface cleaners, detergents, soaps, shampoos, and more. These agents bind with minerals and metal ions, such as nickel and chromium, in hard water, preventing them from forming scales and deposits. In cleaning applications, they enhance the cleaning power and extend the shelf-life of cleaning products. The market for chelating agents is vast and diverse, with significant demand coming from sectors like hygiene, workplaces, homes, and commercial spaces. They find extensive use in industries like pulp and paper, water treatment, oil and gas, textile, agriculture, food and beverages, and agrochemicals. In water treatment, chelating agents help remove heavy metals and industrial waste, ensuring the production of potable water. In healthcare settings, they are used to prevent the build-up of scale in medical equipment and to improve the antimicrobial effect of disinfectants. The market is expected to grow significantly in the coming years due to the increasing use of chelating agents in various industries and their ability to improve product performance and extend shelf-life.

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What are the Key Data Covered in this Market Research Report?

• CAGR of the market during the forecast period
• Detailed information on factors that will drive the market growth and forecasting between 2024 and 2028
• Precise estimation of the size of the market  and its contribution of the market in focus to the parent market
• Accurate predictions about upcoming market growth and trends and changes in consumer behavior
• Growth of the market across APAC, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa
• Thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about companies
• Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of market companies