Sulphides, Dithionites And Sulphoxylates Market

The global market for sulphides, polysulphides, dithionites, and sulphoxylates is expected to continue its upward consumption trend, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.6% in volume and +4.8% in value from 2022 to 2030. Consumption and production have shown steady growth over the past decade, with noticeable fluctuations in trend patterns. China, the United States, and Germany are the top consuming and producing countries, while Peru and Turkey are emerging as key importers. Export prices have seen significant growth, with China dominating the global market as the largest exporter.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for sulphides, polysulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $5.9B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Sulphides, Polysulphides, Dithionites And Sulphoxylates

In 2022, global consumption of sulphides, polysulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates rose modestly to 2.5M tons, increasing by 2.9% on 2021. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -3.0% against 2020 indices. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs at 2.6M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global sulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates market size rose sharply to $4B in 2022, growing by 7.5% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, the total consumption indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +47.7% against 2016 indices. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (341K tons), the United States (293K tons) and Germany (204K tons), with a combined 34% share of global consumption. India, Japan, Brazil, Peru, Russia, Indonesia, Turkey, South Korea, Democratic Republic of the Congo and France lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Peru (with a CAGR of +37.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($436M), Brazil ($381M) and Russia ($299M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 28% share of the global market. India, China, Germany, the United States, Turkey, Peru, Indonesia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Korea and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Peru, with a CAGR of +34.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of sulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates per capita consumption in 2022 were Peru (2,604 kg per million persons), Germany (2,457 kg per million persons) and South Korea (1,196 kg per million persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Peru (with a CAGR of +35.6%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Sulphides, Polysulphides, Dithionites And Sulphoxylates

In 2022, approx. 2.5M tons of sulphides, polysulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates were produced worldwide; growing by 1.7% on the previous year's figure. In general, the total production indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -1.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the production volume increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 2.6M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates production expanded modestly to $3.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a pronounced increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -6.6% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $3.8B in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were China (761K tons), the United States (391K tons) and Germany (231K tons), together accounting for 55% of global production. India, Japan, Brazil, Indonesia, Belgium, Russia, France and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +10.4%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Sulphides, Polysulphides, Dithionites And Sulphoxylates

In 2022, overseas purchases of sulphides, polysulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates increased by 10% to 753K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates imports soared to $1.1B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Peru (88K tons), followed by South Korea (43K tons), Turkey (41K tons), Democratic Republic of the Congo (36K tons) and Russia (35K tons) represented the key importers of sulphides, polysulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates, together achieving 32% of total imports. The following importers - Pakistan (31K tons), Chile (30K tons), Bangladesh (30K tons), Germany (28K tons), Brazil (27K tons), the United States (27K tons), Zambia (24K tons) and Armenia (14K tons) - together made up 28% of total imports.

Peru was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sulphides, polysulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates imports, with a CAGR of +37.2% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bangladesh (+8.3%), Germany (+7.7%), South Korea (+5.4%), Zambia (+5.1%), Turkey (+4.4%), Russia (+3.2%) and Pakistan (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Armenia experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Chile (-1.5%), Brazil (-2.7%), the United States (-5.1%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (-11.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Peru (+11 p.p.), Democratic Republic of the Congo (+4.8 p.p.), Bangladesh (+1.7 p.p.) and Germany (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of Chile (-1.8 p.p.), Brazil (-2.3 p.p.) and the United States (-4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest sulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates importing markets worldwide were Peru ($74M), Turkey ($67M) and Brazil ($49M), together accounting for 18% of global imports.

Peru, with a CAGR of +33.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average sulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates import price amounted to $1,403 per ton, picking up by 19% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. As a result, import price reached the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($1,811 per ton), while Bangladesh ($675 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+6.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Sulphides, Polysulphides, Dithionites And Sulphoxylates

In 2022, shipments abroad of sulphides, polysulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates increased by 5.4% to 787K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 11%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, sulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates exports skyrocketed to $1B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

China represented the main exporter of sulphides, polysulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates in the world, with the volume of exports accounting for 426K tons, which was approx. 54% of total exports in 2022. The United States (124K tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Germany (55K tons). All these countries together held near 23% share of total exports. Belgium (33K tons), India (26K tons), Iran (20K tons), Argentina (14K tons), Canada (13K tons), Free Zones (13K tons) and France (13K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from China increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Free Zones (+53.6%), France (+15.8%), Belgium (+4.5%), India (+3.8%), Iran (+3.3%) and the United States (+1.8%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Free Zones emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +53.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Canada (-3.3%), Argentina (-3.8%) and Germany (-5.7%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+12 p.p.) and Free Zones (+1.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Germany saw its share reduced by -7.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($355M) remains the largest sulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates supplier worldwide, comprising 34% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($137M), with a 13% share of global exports. It was followed by the United States, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +4.9%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Germany (-1.3% per year) and the United States (+4.3% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average sulphides, dithionites and sulphoxylates export price amounted to $1,325 per ton, jumping by 23% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was India ($2,598 per ton), while France ($344 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+11.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform