SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE MARKET ANALYSIS

Sodium hexametaphosphate is a mixture of polymeric metaphosphates that is available in granular, glassy or powdered forms. Sodium hexametaphosphate has a diverse portfolio of applications based on the two different grades- technical and food grade. In its technical grade, it is widely used as a water softener in water treatment plants, metallurgy and construction material industries and petroleum industries as a deflocculating agent. As a food grade chemical, sodium hexametaphosphate is used in food and beverage industry as a sequestrant and preservative adjunct in dairy, beverage and other food items.

 The global sodium hexametaphosphate market is estimated to surpass US 1,501.17 million by the end of 2028 in terms of revenue, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.0% during the forecast period (2021 to 2028).

Drivers

One of the key factors expected to stimulate market growth during the forecast period is the multiple applications of sodium hexametaphosphate in water treatment. Sodium hexametaphosphate is one of the most widely used water treatment agent, which is necessary for industrial water, domestic water and waste water disposal. It is soluble in water, the aqueous solution is alkaline and the pH value of 1% aqueous solution is 9.7. It can be gradually hydrolyzed into phosphite in water, which have a good ability of complexing metal ions, which can be complexed with calcium, magnesium, iron and some other metal ions to form a soluble complex. It is used in many other fields, such as, water treatment, food processing, mining, drilling, printing and dyeing, and refractories industries.

Sodium hexametaphosphate uses are in water treatment for the various applications in dye production, titanium dioxide production, water for printing and dyeing, water for color film copy cleaning, water for chemical industry, water softener for pharmaceutical and reagent production and water treatment agents for industrial circulating cooling water.

Among regions, Asia Pacific held dominant position in the global sodium hexametaphosphate market in 2020, accounting for 39.78% market share in terms of revenue, followed by North America and Europe. High presence of the key players such as Aditya Birla Chemicals and Anhui Tianrun Chemicals Co., Ltd. and increasing demand of sodium hexametaphosphate in the water treatment and food industry are known to further favour the market growth in the Asia Pacific on the other hand, has high presence of some manufacturers such as Xingfa, Weifang Huabo Chemicals Co., ltd and Yixing Tianyuan Chemical Co., Ltd. which has further been estimated to favour the market growth in China.

Figure 1. Global Sodium Hexametaphosphate Market Revenue Share (%), By Region, 2020

Market Restraints

The food grade sodium hexametaphosphate is restrained by the harmful side effects it can cause on humans if consumed in high concentration. Higher consumption of sodium hexametaphosphate has been reported to cause pancreatic cancer and kidney problems and this may restrain consumers from buying food products that have sodium hexametaphosphate as an additive. Other polymeric phosphates with similar chemical characteristics and that can be utilised as an alternative to sodium hexametaphosphate are unavailable due to the technical grade sodium hexametaphosphate market. The large amount of using cosmetic products that contains sodium hexametaphosphate can cause skin irritation and various skin related diseases such rashes and skin cancer which is a restraining factor for sodium hexametaphosphate in the cosmetic industry.

Market Trends

Sodium Hexametaphosphate is largely used in the food and food processing industries for various applications. Sodium hexametaphosphate is abbreviated as SHMP, it is commonly used in dairy products, sausage, seafood, meat processing and toothpaste. The European food additive number for it is E452i. Generally, its purpose is in food as a texturizer, sequestrant, thickener, and emulsifier. Generally, it is a multi-functional ingredient that can work as a texturizer, pH regulator, metal ions chelating agent, binder and as a bulking agent. Food grade sodium hexametaphosphate can be used as a cross-linking agent to react with starch to produce modified food starch by increasing starch molecular weight and stabilize the starch structure. It is also commonly used with other sodium phosphates in the processing of fish, shellfish and other aquatic products as a water-retaining agent and quality or taste improver. The multiple applications of the sodium hexametaphosphate in the food and food processing industries is growing the market for sodium hexametaphosphate globally.

Figure 2. Global Sodium Hexametaphosphate Market Revenue Share (%), By Application, 2020

On the basis of applications, in 2020, food & beverages segment held largest revenue share of 38.78% in global sodium hexametaphosphate market. With each passing day, the popularity of packaged foods and beverages grows, which is a positive sign for the sodium hexametaphosphate market. Sodium Hexametaphosphate is used to extend the shelf life of the finished product. Sodium Hexametaphosphate is not only used in the food and beverage industry; it has a wide range of applications. With few conditions, sodium hexametaphosphate is strong-minded safe for usage in the cosmetics industry.

Global Sodium Hexametaphosphate Market - Impact of Coronavirus (Covid-19) Pandemic

Food being an essential commodity, the demand for food ingredients is expected to rise during the COVID-19 pandemic and post pandemic conditions, globally. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has majorly impacted the food & beverages industry and in turn, has changed the dynamics of entire ecosystem including raw material suppliers of food ingredients such as calcium chloride. Lockdown in various countries such as India, China, and Spain, among others, and cease in the subsequent trade activities have paralyzed the supply chain. The lockdown and social distancing measures impacted the production capacity of Sodium Hexametaphosphate manufacturing plants and are operating at reduced production rates. This has negatively affected the supply of sodium hexametaphosphate to the market.

Competitive Section

Key players operating in the global sodium hexametaphosphate market include Kraft Chemical Company, Inc., Aditya Birla Chemicals, Mexichem, Prayon S.A., Innophos, Chongqing Chuandong Chemical (Group) Co., Ltd, Israel Chemicals Limited (ICL), Yixing Tianyuan Chemical Co., Ltd., Recochem Inc., Hubei xingfa chemicals group co., LTD, Weifang Huabo Chemical Co., Ltd., Xuzhou Tianjia Food Chemical Co., Ltd, and Guizhou Sino-Phos Chemical Co., LTD., etc.