FERROUS SULFATE MARKET ANALYSIS

Market Size and Trends

Global ferrous sulfate market is estimated to be valued at USD 2.58 Bn in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3.19 Bn by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% from 2024 to 2031.

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Global ferrous sulfate market is expected to witness a positive growth trend over the forecast period. The growing demand from agriculture industry is expected to be a key driver. Ferrous sulfate is an important iron supplement for plants. It is widely used as a fertilizer to treat iron deficiencies and chlorosis in crops. Rising consumption of meat and poultry boosts demand for ferrous sulfate from animal feed industry. Being an affordable source of iron, it is a commonly used feed additive. Furthermore, water treatment plants extensively use ferrous sulfate for purification of water resources. Its ability to remove pollutants such as fluorides and phosphates from water is augmenting its use in this application.

Water Treatment Industry

Ferrous sulfate is extensively used as a coagulant in water treatment plants for purification of drinking water. It is used to remove impurities from raw water sources such as lakes and rivers before the water is supplied to households and industries. Ferrous sulfate helps to reduce turbidity in water by binding suspended solid particles together so that these settled at the bottom. This allows production of crystal clear potable water conforming to stringent quality standards. As population grows, demand for clean drinking water increases. Rapid urbanization and industrialization especially in developing nations is exerting pressure on existing water resources. This is prompting significant investments in infrastructure for water treatment. Growing emphasis on reuse of wastewater for non-potable purposes like in construction industry or landscape irrigation is also fueling expansion of water treatment plants. Widened application of membrane technologies for water purification worldwide can drive the market growth.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

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Agricultural Practices

Another key use of ferrous sulfate is as a micronutrient fertilizer for iron deficiency in agricultural crops and turf grasses. Growing agriculture sector is expected to drive the market growth. For instance, in FY 2023, it is projected that the Indian agriculture sector will grow at the rate 3.5. Iron is an essential micronutrient for optimal plant growth but many soils lack sufficient iron content to meet the requirement of crops. Application of ferrous sulfate prevents iron deficiency chlorosis, a condition which causes yellowing or bleaching of younger leaves and stunts overall growth of plants. Rising global population and declining per capita farmland especially in Asia Pacific region is propelling intensive cultivation practices to boost yields. This has increased usage of micronutrient mixtures including ferrous sulfate to enhance resistance of crops to biotic and abiotic stresses. Growing trend of urban gardening and home landscaping in Western countries is also stoking sales from garden centers and retailers. Furthermore, large scale plantation of trees for afforestation programs will create steady demand for ferrous sulfate fertilizers in nurseries.

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Global ferrous sulfate market faces several challenges. Strict environmental regulations around the world have increased production costs. Fluctuating raw material prices dent profit margins for manufacturers. Substitute products also pose a threat. Customers may switch to alternatives if these become more cost effective than ferrous sulfate.

 Market Opportunities: Growing demand from water treatment and agriculture applications

Growing demand from water treatment and agriculture applications is expected to drive the market growth. Expanding into emerging economies provides scope for higher sales. Players could also diversify their product offerings by developing innovative application-specific formulations. Focusing on production technologies to reduce costs will strengthen their position in the competitive market.

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Heptahydrate segment is estimated to contribute the 61.2% share of the market in 2024 owing to its high solubility and stability. Ferrous sulfate exists in two primary crystalline forms - monohydrate and heptahydrate. Heptahydrate contributes the largest share of the ferrous sulfate market due to its distinct solubility and stability advantages over monohydrate. Heptahydrate ferrous sulfate dissolves readily in water, allowing for its widespread use in applications that require ferrous ions in aqueous solutions. Its high solubility makes it suited for pharmaceutical preparations where iron needs to be delivered efficiently in liquid formulations. Many oral medications and intravenous infusions use heptahydrate for ensuring proper iron absorption.  Being highly soluble also means heptahydrate ferrous sulfate does not leave undissolved particles that can clog equipment or form undesirable precipitates. This quality is valuable in water treatment, where clarity and filtration are important. It also prevents blockages during the production of fertilizers, animal feeds, cement, and other products incorporating ferrous sulfate. 

Insights, By Application: Pharmaceutical segment contributes the highest share of the market due to ferrous sulfate's efficacy as an iron supplement

Pharmaceutical segment is estimated to contribute 51.2% share of the market due to ferrous sulfate's efficacy as an iron supplement. Pharmaceutical usage makes up the largest portion of ferrous sulfate demand. This is because ferrous sulfate is considered an effective and affordable source of supplemental iron for treating and preventing iron-deficiency anemia. Iron is an essential mineral needed to produce hemoglobin. But inadequate dietary iron intake or chronic blood loss can lead to anemia - a common condition affecting millions worldwide. Mild to moderate cases are usually addressed with over-the-counter or prescription iron supplements.  Ferrous sulfate is a preferred option due to its high iron content of 20%. Each tablet or capsule provides pre-measured iron that can be readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Ferrous sulfate raises blood iron levels and hemoglobin counts as well or better than other supplement forms. Growing pharmaceutical industry is expected to drive the segment growth. For instance, according to the data published by Invest India, in 2022, the pharmaceutical industry in India is expected to reach US$ 65 Bn by 2024 and to US$ 130 Bn by 2030.

Regional Insights

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North America currently dominates the global ferrous sulfate market with 48.8% share. With developed infrastructure and large manufacturing presence, countries like the U.S. and Canada have established themselves as prominent producers and consumers of ferrous sulfate. Major companies in the region have been operating in the space for several decades, allowing them to achieve significant economies of scale.  Stringent environmental regulations pertaining to levels of iron in treated water have spurred demand from the water treatment sector. The sizable agriculture industry, which uses ferrous sulfate as a fertilizer micronutrient, also contributes significantly to regional ferrous sulfate demand. Trade activity is robust, with the region witnessing both imports from other major producers as well as exports to fulfill demand from Latin America and parts of Asia Pacific and Europe. However, manufacturers must consistently focus on cost optimization to ward off threats from exports from emerging, low-cost manufacturing hubs.

Asia Pacific region has emerged as the fastest growing regional market for ferrous sulfate. China, with its massive industrial footprint and burgeoning population, is spearheading ferrous sulfate demand in the region. Rapid urbanization and industrialization across India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam have also boosted regional consumption. An increasing emphasis on wastewater treatment to address pollution has augmented ferrous sulfate usage for municipal applications. Agricultural demand remains robust, driven by the need to sustain high agricultural yields to feed rising populations. While domestic manufacturers have substantially ramped up capacities to capitalize on opportunities, imports still remain significant. Presence of export-oriented manufacturing units and relatively cheaper labor costs are compelling reasons for players outside the region to utilize Asia Pacific as an important market. However, local players also face stiff competition from Chinese producers who are able to aggressively price their products and capture sizeable market shares. Overall, increasing industrial and population growth is expected to continue propelling the ferrous sulfate market in Asia Pacific upwards at a healthy pace.

Market Report Scope

Key Developments

• On June 22, 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a nationwide recall of Nationwide Pharmaceutical's Ferrous Sulfate (Iron) Enteric-Coated Tablets, 324 mg — 100 Tablet Bottles because the supplements are not packaged in child-resistant packaging
• In November 2021, Kemira completed the expansion of the production capacity of iron-based water treatment chemicals in the U.K. The annual production is expected to increase by more than 100,000 tons per year which also assists to alleviate the immediate challenge of the water chemicals supply situation for the UK water industry.
• In October 2021 USALCO, a leading producer of high-quality water treatment and industrial chemicals, announced that it had acquired the water treatment business of ALTIVIA.

*Definition: The ferrous sulfate market involves the production, distribution and sales of ferrous sulfate, also known as iron(II) sulfate or iron sulfate. Ferrous sulfate is an inorganic compound that is used in various industries such as water treatment, agriculture, animal feed, paints and industrial applications. As ferrous sulfate contains iron, it is commonly used as a nutritional supplement, in water purification processes to assist coagulation of other chemicals, in the manufacturing of pigments and dyes, as a catalyst, in ceramic.

Market Segmentation

• Type Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Monohydrate
  • Heptahydrate
•  Application Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Water Treatment
  • Cement
  • Agricultural
  • Food & Animal Feed
  • Others (Pigments, etc.)
• Regional Insights (Revenue, USD Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • Crown Technology, Inc.
  • Venator Materials PLC
  • Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC
  • Rech Chemical Co. Ltd.
  • Coogee Chemicals Pty Ltd.
  • Chemland Group
  • Hong Yield Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd.
  • Changsha Haolin Chemicals Co., Ltd.
  • PJSC Sumykhimprom.
  • Nilkanth Organics
  • Hemadri Chemicals
  • Ennore India Chemicals
  • Rishi Chemicals
  • Bhagwati Chemicals
  • Vinipul Inorganics India Pvt. Ltd.
  • Meghachemi Industries
  • Shrinath Enterprises
  • Ottokemi
  • Destiny Chemicals