BROMINE DERIVATIVES MARKET ANALYSIS

Bromine is a chemical compound with atomic number 35 and a third-lightest halogen compound. It is a fuming red-brown liquid at room temperature and its properties are almost similar to chlorine and iodine. Bromine derivatives are widely used in the controlling mercury emission and halogenated flame retardants. Moreover, bromine derivatives are also used in the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries. Some of the end-use application of bromine derivatives are pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and electronics, along with growing construction.

Global bromine derivatives market was valued at US$ 4,761.9  Mn in 2022 in terms of revenue, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.97% during the forecast period (2023 to 2030).

Drivers

• Growing demand for bromine derivative from automotive and consumer electronics industries

Growing demand for bromine derivative from automotive and consumer electronics industries is expected to fuel the market growth of bromine derivatives. Bromine derivatives are used in the production of flame retardant electronic products in the automotive industry. Moreover, the rising application of bromine derivative from the oil and gas industry in the drilling of fluid for extracting petroleum product is further expected to fuel the market growth of bromine derivatives over the forecast period. Additionally, growing number of manufacturing industries, especially in India and China, are further projected to propel the market growth.

• Rising demand for plastic and rubber products

Growing construction is used in the Roofing, insulation, wall coverings, windows, piping, decks, and fences, is projected to fuel market growth. Moreover, rising demand for plastic and rubber products is also projected to fuel the market growth of bromine derivative. Furthermore, the increasing application of bromine derivative in the textile industry coupled with the significant increase the urbanization is further projected to augment the market growth of the bromine derivative.

Figure 1. Global Bromine Derivatives Market Value Share (%), By Region, 2021

Market Restraints

• Rising usage of non-halogenated flame retardants is banned

Rising usage of non-halogenated flame retardants as bromine flame retardant is banned across most of the regions such as Europe and North America, due to their neurodevelopmental toxicity, thyroid effects, and other side-effects on human health. Therefore, rising concerns over halogenated flame retardants are projected to hamper the market growth of bromine derivative over the forecast period. For instance, in February 2019, The EU banned exports of four brominated flame retardants and three other substances, under amendments made to legislation controlling the trade of very hazardous chemicals. This is expected to hinder the market growth of bromine derivative.

• increasing usage of magnesium hydroxide in brominated flame retardants

Moreover, increasing usage of magnesium hydroxide in brominated flame retardants as it exhibits the same properties and benefits as brominated flame retardants are further expected to inhibit the market growth over the forecast period. Also, in some regions phosphorus-based flame retardant such as red phosphorus is widely used non-halogenated flame retardants due to mechanical and electrical properties similar to halogenated flame retardants. This is expected to hinder the market growth over the forecast period.

Market Trends

Rising usage of bromine-based oxidizing biocides for cooling towers, swimming pools, sanitary disinfection, and treatment of municipal sewage is expected to augment the market growth over the forecast period. Rising investment by developed countries such as North America is also projected to fuel market growth. For instance, in July 2019, Lanxess announced multiple project expansion plans across the region by 2022, which also includes an investment of USD 60 million in the global bromine reservoir site.

Rising usage of bromine derivative in the surface treatment of rubber used for tires along with the growing usage on the formulation for cleaning surface of printed circuits is projected of fuel the market growth of bromine derivative. Also, increasing usage of bromine derivatives such as methyl bromide in the development of fertilizers and pesticides is expected to foster the market growth of bromine derivatives. Therefore, the booming agriculture industry around the globe is projected to augment the market growth of bromine derivatives over the forecast period.

Increasing Usage from the Water Treatment Segment

With the rising need for sustainability, and industries focusing on complete water treatment solutions to increase the recyclability of water, bromine derivatives are expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.

According to UN Data, in 2020, around 56 percent of household wastewater flows were safely treated globally.

Bromine derivatives are used in the preparation of biocides for water treatment. Bromine-based biocides work efficiently at controlling the microbiological load in water systems while ensuring corrosion is kept under check. Stabilized bromine-based biocides are widely used in industrial applications such as cooling towers and pre-treatment processes since they eliminate the need to control pH for efficacy.

One such bromine derivative, dimethyl hydantoin (DBDMH) is being widely used as a disinfectant in recreational water treatment, with limited use in drinking water purification. It is also used as a bleaching agent in the pulp and paper industry. DBDMH is also widely used in treating industrial and commercial water-cooling systems.

The overall growth of the water treatment industry is expected to be a strong driver for the overall demand and consumption of bromine derivatives used in the water treatment application.

Figure 2. Global Bromine Derivatives Market value Share (%), By Product Type, 2021

Recent Developments

• In August 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released revised guidelines on the usage of methyl bromide as a quarantine and pre-shipment fumigant for logs stored in a ship’s hold, effective from 1st January 2023.
• In March 2020, ICL’s manufacturing facilities in China resumed operations post a mandatory shutdown initiated since January 2020 in order to control the spread of the infection

Competitive Section

Major players operating in the global bromine derivatives market include Israel Chemicals Limited, Albemarle Corporation, Tosoh Corporation, Tata Chemicals Limited, Chemtura Corporation, Jordan Bromine Company, Gulf Resources Inc., Hindustan Salts Limited, and Tetra Technologies Inc.