FINE HYDRATE MARKET ANALYSIS

Fine Hydrate Market 2017–2027

Fine hydrate is a non-halogenated flame retardant additive used across several applications such as injection molding, wire, and cable compounds, and paints & polymer. It belongs to the class of fine alumina trihydrate (ATH) compounds which is produced by using Bayer’s process. Fine alumina hydrate is an eco-friendly, mineral-based flame retardant, that is used in a variety of polyolefin resins. Some of the other applications of fine hydrate are cable compounds, sheet molding compounds, and bulk molding compounds. Moreover, it is also used to produce lightweight plastics for automobiles which reduce the overall weight of the automobile, thus making fuel-efficient vehicles. Furthermore, fine hydrate is also used in the production of pigment.

The global fine hydrate market is projected to surpass US$ 550 million by the end of 2027, in terms of revenue, growing at CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period (2019 to 2027).

Drivers

Increasing demand for plastic from the automotive industry for reducing the overall weight of the vehicle is projected to propel the market growth of fine hydrate. Fine hydrate is widely used to produce polymers, where they are used as flame retardant additives. These polymers have huge demand from the automotive industry for producing automobile components that reduce the overall weight and make fuel-efficient vehicles. Thus, the rising demand for plastic from automotive is the industry that is fueling market growth.

Growing adoption of fine hydrate as a substitute for titanium dioxide in the production of pigments is projected to propel the market growth of fine hydrate. Paints and coatings are widely used across automotive refinishing, construction, protective coatings, and wooden coatings. Fine hydrate is used in paints to maintain the shine and luster and increase transparency. Hence, growing usage of fine hydrate as a substitute for titanium dioxide is propelling the market growth. 

Regionally, Asia-pacific dominated the global fine hydrate market in 2018, reporting 36% market share in terms of revenue, followed by Europe and North America, respectively.

Figure 1. Global Fine Hydrate Market, Revenue Share (%), By Region, 2018

Market Restraints

Fine alumina trihydrate is widely used as flame retardant across various materials such as elastomers, thermosetting resins, and thermoplastics. However, fine hydrate is not suitable for high-temperature applications that limit its application across high-temperature applications. This is projected to hinder the market growth of fine hydrate.

Growing adoption of magnesium hydroxide as antacids in the pharmaceutical industry is expected to restrict the market growth of fine hydrate. Moreover, a lack of awareness regarding the benefits of alumina trihydrate across the developing region is also another major factor restricting the market growth of fine hydrate.

Market Opportunities

Growing application of fine hydrate in the production of cable & wire products is projected to offer numerous growth opportunities to the market growth of fine hydrate over the forecast timeframe. Increasing production of electronic goods especially across China and India is expected to propel the market growth. Fine precipitated alumina trihydrate provides superior powder processing and outstanding compounds properties which makes them ideal flame retardant additives.

Increasing application of alumina trihydrate across wastewater treatment is projected to offer enormous growth opportunity to the market of the fine hydrate. Hence, the growing number of wastewater treatment due to increasing water pollution and growing demand for clean and safe water around the globe will favor the market growth of alumina trihydrate over the forecast timeframe.

Figure 2. Global Fine Hydrate Market – Opportunity Analysis

Market Trends

The rising trend of nano technology in new products is projected to propel the market growth of fine hydrate. Various polymer producers are adding flame retardants such as fine hydrate with nanoclays, which improve the performance of polymer additives as nanoclays have help in anti-dripping and slowing down fire, and they also produce surface char, all these enhance the quality of non-halogenated flame retardants. This factor is projected to propel the market growth.

Increasing sales of fine hydrate in the Asia Pacific region due to the rising production of consumer electronics in the Asia Pacific region is projected to fuel the market growth. Moreover, expanding the construction industry and the development of infrastructure in Asian countries such as China, India, and South Korea is further projected to propel the market growth of fine hydrate.

Figure 3. Global Fine Hydrate Market, Revenue Share (%), By Application, in 2018

On the basis of application, cable compounds dominated the global fine hydrate market in 2018 with around 78% of market share in terms of revenue, followed by sheet molding compounds and bulk molding compounds, respectively.

Regulations

Europe

• In Europe, REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization, and Restriction of Chemical Substances) and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) are the two regulations driven by the European Union, which restricts the use of halogenated flame retardants that have an adverse effect on the environment. The focus of REACH is to enhance protection of human health and environment by scrutinizing the use of harmful chemical substances and additives
• The flame retardants most commonly used in electronics and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) were banned or phased out in Europe and the U.S. after researchers linked the compounds to neurotoxic effects and hormone disruption

Figure 4. Global Fine Hydrate Market – Value Chain Analysis

Competitive Section

Key players operating in the global fine hydrate market are Nabaltec AG, Huber Engineered Materials, Hindalco Industries Limited, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Alumina Castables & Chemicals Private Limited, Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (CHALCO), JINAN CHENXU CHEMICAL CO., LTD., and Henan Kingway Chemicals Co., Ltd.