Global Chelating Agents Market By Type (Non-Biodegradable and Biodegradable, Aminopolycarboxylate, Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid EDTA, and Others), By Application (Pulp & Paper, Agrochemicals, Household, Personal Care, Water Treatment, Cleaning, and Others), By Region and Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends, and Forecast 2023-2032

Report Overview

In 2022, the global chelating agents market was valued at USD 6.09 billion and is expected to reach around USD 9.17 billion by 2032. Between 2023 and 2032, this market is estimated to register a CAGR of 4.29%.

A chelating agent is a chemical compound that reacts with metal ions to form water-soluble and stable metal complexes. Chelating agents are used to eliminate toxic metals from the body. They are also examined in the treatment of cancer.

Hence, they sometimes refer to sequestering agents, chelates, and chelators. The global requirement for these compounds is anticipated to arise from cleaning and detergent and pulp & paper industries during the forecast period.

Increasing consumer awareness concerning homecare products, including detergents and floor care products, is estimated to boost market demand. Chelating agents and their ability to produce complex metal ions are vastly used in various domestic, industrial, and agricultural applications and the food industry. The chelate is obtained from natural sources and is considered for use in a wide range of cosmetics and bath soaps.

Key Takeaways

• Market Growth and Size: The global chelating agents market was valued at USD 6.09 billion in 2022. It is projected to reach around USD 9.17 billion by 2032, with an estimated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.29% between 2023 and 2032.
• Definition of Chelating Agents: Chelating agents are chemical compounds that form stable and water-soluble complexes with metal ions. They are known for their ability to eliminate toxic metals from the body and are sometimes referred to as sequestering agents, chelates, or chelators.
• Applications: Chelating agents find applications in various industries, including cleaning and detergent, pulp & paper, agrochemicals, household, personal care, water treatment, and more. They are also used in the treatment of cancer.
• Biodegradable Chelating Agents: The biodegradable segment of chelating agents, which includes amino polycarboxylate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), and others, accounted for a significant market share of 72% during the forecast period. This is due to the increasing demand for cleaning and personal care products.
• Pulp & Paper Industry: The pulp & paper industry is a major consumer of chelating agents, accounting for 38% of the market share in 2022. Chelating agents are essential in this industry for their role in reducing bleaching costs and improving overall efficiency.
• Key Market Drivers: Increasing adoption of chelating agents in various industries such as personal care, agriculture, mining, textile, food, and paper & pulp. Growing demand for treated water for industrial use.
• Market Restraints: Environmental concerns related to conventional chelating agents, which may have hazardous toxic substances, pose a threat to groundwater and aquatic life. Some European countries have banned specific types of chelating agents due to their environmental impact.
• Market Opportunities: The rise of eco-friendly chelating agents for cleaning purposes presents an opportunity for the market. These agents are used to prevent soap scum and have applications in household detergents and industrial processes.
• Market Trends: There is a rising demand for chelating agents from the cosmetic industry, where they are used to inactivate metallic ions in cosmetic products to improve stability and shelf life.
• Regional Analysis: The Asia-Pacific region accounted for a significant share of the global chelating agents market, driven by developments in the textile, paper, and pulp industries. Europe is seeing an increased demand for biodegradable agents due to environmental awareness, while North America is experiencing growth in the industrial cleaning sector.
• Key Market Players: Major companies in the chelating agents market include Akzo Nobel N.V., BASF SE, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Dow Chemical Company, and others. These companies are involved in strategies like mergers and acquisitions.

Market Scope

Type Analysis

Biodegradable Segment to Hold a Significant Share in the Global Market

The global chelating agents market is segmented on type into non-biodegradable and biodegradable. The biodegradable segment is further sub-segmented into amino polycarboxylate, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DPTA), sodium gluconate, and organophosphates.

The biodegradable segment accounted for the largest market revenue share of 72% during the forecast period, the requirement for cleaning products such as detergents, surface cleaners, and personal care products such as shampoos, potable water, and soaps. In addition, the requirement to maintain proper hygiene in commercial spaces, workplaces, and homes and the safety provided by the product are the main factors fueling the demand for biodegradable chelating agents.

By Application Analysis

Pulp & Paper Accounted Generate High Revenue by Increasing Demand for Graphic and Tissue Papers

Based on application, the global chelating agents market is divided into pulp & paper, agrochemicals, household, personal care, water treatment, industrial and institutional cleaning products, and other applications. The pulp & paper segment registered the highest market and accounted for a revenue share of 38% in 2022.

The rising requirement for tissue papers and graphic tissue is anticipated to augment segmental growth. Additionally, these chemicals play a crucial part and are considered an integral element of pulp and paper-making methods. Chelating agents reduced the bleaching costs. In addition, chelating agents to the pulp processing and papermaking process eliminate the scales, thus improving the overall efficacy.

The Industrial and institutional cleaning products and the household segment are projected to enhance faster. This chemical is useful for treating hard water, making it available for commercial and drinking purposes. In industrial and household sanitation, sequestering agents help improve the cleaning capacity of detergents and cleansers. In addition, these agents can improve the action of hygienic washing.

Key Market Segments

By Type

• Non- Biodegradable
• Biodegradable
• Aminopolycarboxylate
• Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA)
• Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic Acid(DPTA)
• Sodium Gluconate
• Organophosphates

By Application

• Pulp & Paper
• Agrochemicals
• Household
• Personal Care
• Water Treatment
• Industrial & Institutional Cleaning Products
• Cleaning
• Other Applications

Drivers

Increasing Adoption of Chelating Agents Across Developing Industries

Chelating agents are highly approved as a source of raw material amongst increasing industries such as personal care, agriculture, mining, textile, food, paper & pulp. The chemical compound of chelating agents benefits from reacting with a metal ion to form water-soluble complexes and improve metals’ stability and likelihood of bonding with other substances. Chelating agents also play a significant role in the paper & pulp industry.

There are several features of chelating agents in sanitizing water and chemicals for using chelating agents in the chlorine manufacturer. In the paper and pulp industry, chelating agents such as chlorine dyeing are used to improve process accuracy. EDTA, DTPA, and Aminopolycarboxylates are the most usually used chelating agents. The increasing population and Industrialization are other driving factors for market growth. The increasing requirement for green sequestering agents is the key factor driving the market growth.

Rise in Consumption of Treated Water for Industrial Use

EDTA is a synthetic chelating agent. It is used in boiler treatment systems and steam technology. This agent is used in the boiler to provide effective online and offline scale within the boiler. Chelating agents are water–soluble agents with transition metal and alkali, inhibiting metal-catalyzed reactions and increasing metal solubility. Aminopolycarboxylate chelating agents are generally used in numerous household products and industrial processes. Growing approval of chelating agents across emerging countries is the primary factor boosting market growth.

Restraints

Environmental Concerns About Conventional Chelating Agents 

Chelating agents include hazardous toxic substances such as heptatonic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, and others, generally used in industrial and household applications. The existence of highly toxic substances is threatening groundwater and drinking water. Furthermore, chelating agents can have an environmental effect on living organisms. For example, the government of European countries, such as Sweden and Norway, has banned the use of chelating agents types EDTA AND DTPA, due to the disrupting effects of chemicals on aquatic life.

Opportunity

Increase of Eco-Friendly Chelating Agents for Cleaning Purposes

Chelating agents are generally used in household detergents to prevent metal ions naturally present in water from making soap scum. There are many chelating agents, but Citric acid and EDTA are frequently found in cleaning products, using phosphoric acids that are banned in most countries. Chelating agents are widely used in domestic agricultural and many industrial applications.

Trends

Rising Demand from the Cosmetic Industry to Drive the Market

Sequestering agents are components that inactivate metallic ions to avoid side effects in the presence of cosmetic products, according to the online ingredient dictionary of The Personal Care Product Council, wINCl. Metallic impurities may come from various sources, such as the water system, raw materials in the product, the minute extraction from metallic equipment and storage containers. Particularly those that are naturally extracted. This metallic ion will degenerate the cosmetic products if not disabled by inducing oxidation and reducing purity.

In almost any personal care formulation, chelators maximize strength and drive stability. Hence improving market acceptance. Moreover, they can potentially develop preservative performance in body wash and liquid soap. Furthermore, chelators are used to avoid color decay and scent. Natural sequestering agents help enhance the shelf life of cosmetic products and decrease the hazard to the surroundings.

Regional Analysis

Asia –Asia-Pacific regions Accounted Significant Revenue Share of the Global Chelating Agents Market

Asia-Pacific accounted for the significant chelating agents’ market revenue share of  38% due to the continuous developments and inventions in the textile as well as in the paper and pulp industry. Developing economies of various regions are anticipated to significantly improve the cleaning & detergent, and water treatment due to the increasing population and rising awareness.

In Europe, the requirement for biodegradable agents is estimated to enhance quickly due to increasing public awareness about environmental contamination caused by non-biodegradable agents. Hence significant growth in the paper& pulp industry will drive the chelating agents market. North America is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 2.8%. During the forecast period. Due to the increasing requirement for chelating agents in industrial cleaning systems.

Key Regions and Countries

• North America
  • The US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Portugal
  • Ireland
  • Austria
  • Switzerland
  • Benelux
  • Nordic
  • Rest of Western Europe
• Eastern Europe
  • Russia
  • Poland
  • The Czech Republic
  • Greece
  • Rest of Eastern Europe
• APAC
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Chile
  • Argentina
  • Costa Rica
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Algeria
  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • Kuwait
  • Nigeria
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Rest of MEA

Key Players Analysis

A few key strategies by the prominent companies include mergers & acquisitions and expansion. Some of the major key companies in the market include Akszo Nobel N.V., BASF SE, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Hexicon, Bozzetto Group, and Others.

• Akzo Nobel N.V.
• BASF SE
• Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• Dow Chemical Company
• Kemira Oyj
• Shandong IRO Chelating Chemical Co., Ltd
• NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
• Ascend Performance Materials
• Hexicon
• Bozzetto Group
• Tosoh Corporation
• Zhonglan Industry Co., Ltd
• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
• Evonik Industries AG
• Tate & Lyle PLC
• Other Key Players

Recent Development

• June 2021- Oncodesign, a biopharma group committed to the accuracy of the medicine, announced a considered partnership with Covalb, a bespoke antibody inventor CheMatech, the European leader in the supply and synthesis of chelating agents.
• January 2021- Recodati Rare Disease, the manufacturer of Chemet, an orally active heavy metal chelating agent used in lead poisoning treatment for pediatric patients, declared the capsule’s insufficiency.
• May 2021– U.S. Food and Drug Administration extended the tag of iron-binding oral treatment Ferripox nowadays includes older patients who suffer from blood transfusion-induced iron caused by sickle cell anemia.

Report Scope: