Global Dolomite Market By Product (Calcined, Sintered and Agglomerated), By End-Use (Construction, Agriculture, Glass and Ceramics, and Other End-Uses), By Region and Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends and Forecast 2023-2033

Market Overview

The global Dolomite market size is expected to be worth around USD 4513.7 billion by 2033, from USD 1924.2 Million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2033.

This market growth is due to the widespread use of dolomite in large-scale global steel production. The COVID-19 Pandemic is likely to cause a slowdown in product demand for at least two years. The COVID-19 virus pandemic has had an enormous impact on global economic operations, and this includes mining.

The virus outbreak forced mining companies to temporarily suspend operations. This has hurt the production and demand for minerals. The situation is so critical that the end-use industry, including iron & metal, construction, and glass, is operating at a very low capacity. This could have a negative impact on the 2023-2023 dolomite supply.

Note: Actual Numbers Might Vary In the Final Report

Key Takeaways

• Market Growth and Projections: Dolomite market size is set to reach around USD 4,513.7 million by 2033, witnessing a significant increase from USD 1,924.2 million in 2023, with an expected Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.9% during 2023-2033.
• Product Segmentation and Dominance: In 2023, calcined dolomite dominated the market, holding over 49% share, primarily used in steel industries as insulation protectors and in water and soil treatment for agriculture.
• End-Use Analysis – Steel and Construction Dominate: Iron and steel industry accounted for 60% of dolomite sales in 2023, with dolomite used in various steel applications like converters lining and furnace walls.
• Challenges in Fertilizer Industry: Dolomite faced challenges in the fertilizer industry due to a shift towards cheaper, low-grade phosphate, reducing its demand. Additionally, the activation process in dolomite-based fertilizers released heavy metals like lead and arsenic, posing health risks.
• Regional Analysis – North America Leading in 2023: North America held the highest share (more than 36%) in 2023, with a focus on increasing glass production to support the pharmaceutical industry.
• Key Players and Industry Developments: Key players in the market include Calcinor, Carmeuse, Imerys, Lhoist, Omya AG, RHI Magnesita, Sibelco, and Vardar Dolomite, with strategic moves like acquisitions and mergers to improve market share.
• Opportunities and Challenges Ahead: Despite hurdles, opportunities lie in eco-friendly farming demands, potential processing advancements to eliminate harmful metals in dolomite, and continued exploration of new applications in various industries.
• Regional Scope: Key regions for dolomite market analysis include North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and MEA, each showcasing varying market dynamics and trends.

Product analysis

In 2023, the calcined dolomite segment dominated the market, securing a significant share of over 49%.
, was the largest. Calcined Dolomite is made from minerals such as Calcium carbonate and magnesia by the process of calcination. It is used in the iron and steel industries as refractory insulation protectors and scorifiers. It is also used to treat water and soil in agriculture.

Another significant segment in the market is sintered limestone. The product is valued for its high refractoriness, and it is used in the manufacture of bricks for LD converter lining. This product is also known to be dead-burned dolomite because it is heated above 1,650°C to attain maximum bulk density and high resistance to hydration.

In the long term, increased investment in the steel industry is expected to have a positive impact on product demand. The Indian Union Ministry of Steel has planned to make USD 70 billion cumulative investments in the country’s eastern region to establish an integrated steel hub. This region is rich in iron ore and coking coal as well as significant amounts of bauxite.

End-Use analysis

Iron and steel was the top market segment in 2023 for dolomite sales, accounting for 60%.. This is due to the increasing demand for different steel applications. It is expected that it will maintain its lead in the forecast period. Dolomite serves as a refractory component in steelmaking converters lining, opening hearts furnaces, and electric heater walls.

The market was driven to expand its production capacity by the increasing demand for refractory raw materials. RHI Magnesita made a June 2018 announcement about a Euro 20 million investment (USD 23.5 million) in its China dolomite operation to meet global demand for raw materials.

Covid-19 caused a decline in the high demand for refractories. The outbreak of the virus forced the companies to close down all manufacturing facilities. This greatly affected the supply chain for Dolomite and had a detrimental impact on sales of those market players who were part of the value chain.

The glass & ceramics market is another important segment and will experience a 4.4% increase in revenue. Dolomite plays a crucial role in glass production. It is resistant to chemical erosion caused by water and the atmosphere, increases plasticity, and has high strength. The segment is expected to grow as more glass is needed to make vials of medicines and vaccines.

Covid-19 vaccines are nearing the end of testing and drug makers and governments have been chasing packaging to protect the vaccine shots. SiO2 Materials Science, a specialist in drug packaging, announced that it was spending USD 163 million to expand its Auburn packaging plant. The U.S. expects the increase in glass container production will prove beneficial for the global marketplace.

Note: Actual Numbers Might Vary In the Final Report

Кеу Маrkеt Ѕеgmеntѕ

By Product

• Calcined
• Sintered
• Agglomerated

By End-Use

• Construction
• Agriculture
• Glass & Ceramics
• Iron & Steel
• Water Treatment
• Other End-Uses

Drivers

Dolomite’s versatility across industries drives its growth. In construction, it’s a go-to for making tough materials that can withstand heavy use. Its role in refining metals like iron is crucial, helping remove unwanted elements and enhancing the quality of the metal produced.

With the rising demand for iron, particularly in construction, the dolomite market is expanding. Asia Pacific took the lead in 2020 for dolomite use, followed by North America and Europe.

For animals, minerals such as magnesium are essential. Dolomite serves as a rich source of both magnesium and calcium in animal feed. This has significantly improved the growth and health of farm animals over time. Interestingly, it might even be altering the nutritional needs of these animals as they grow.

The dolomite market has some strong drivers pushing its growth. Firstly, dolomite finds itself in multiple industries, making it really valuable. Dolomite is used extensively in construction for producing ultra-strong materials and steelmaking to enhance the quality of metal produced, so its usage has become more prevalent over time.

Due to an exploding construction industry and rising steel demand, dolomite has become highly sought-after material.

Dolomite has become increasingly important for farmers. It’s used to improve soil quality, which is crucial for better crop yields. As agriculture keeps growing, so does the demand for dolomite in this sector.

Another big driver is how versatile dolomite is. It’s not just limited to a few uses—scientists and experts are discovering new ways to use it in various industries, like energy production and environmental cleanup. This adaptability opens up fresh avenues for dolomite’s application.

Asia-Pacific region has experienced an exponential increase in dolomite demand and production, driving this market even further forward. New ways have been found to produce more dolomite, expanding this industry even more rapidly.

In a nutshell, these strong drivers—demand from construction and steel, increasing use in farming, versatility in various industries, and the growth in the Asia-Pacific market—are fueling the growth of the dolomite market.

Restraints

The dolomite market is having a tough time in the fertilizer industry. See, there’s a shortage of high-quality phosphate, so folks are using the cheaper low-grade stuff for fertilizers instead. That’s bad news for dolomite because this low-grade phosphate is taking its place. Also, when dolomite gets used in making fertilizers, it needs to be activated.

That helps with phosphorous levels, but it also brings out some heavy metals like Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn. These metals are not good for us humans. Lead (Pb) and arsenic, hanging out in these fertilizers, can mess with our health when we eat food grown with them. Arsenic exposure for a long time might cause cancer, skin troubles, heart issues, and diabetes. Lead, in the short term, can make us throw up, get a bad stomach, headaches, and feel super tired. Long-term exposure can wreak havoc with our learning, lead to hyperactivity, and lead to brain issues; all of which is making the dolomite market hard to expand.

The dolomite market faces a few challenges that slow down its growth. One big issue is the move towards using cheaper, lower-grade phosphate in fertilizers. This shift makes dolomite less in demand for making fertilizers because these low-grade options are more available and cost-effective.

When dolomite is used in making fertilizers, there’s a process that can activate some heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, copper, lead, and zinc. This activation could lead to health risks when these metals are in the fertilizers. Dolomite-based fertilizers contain impurities like lead and arsenic that can pose serious health hazards if we consume food produced using these fertilizers.

Companies operating in this market face an additional challenge of meeting regulations’ stringent rules and standards on heavy metals, impurities, and their impact on the environment. They need to ensure their products comply with all these regulations regarding heavy metals and contaminants as well as environmental factors that impact them. Balancing these rules while keeping their products effective and safe is quite tough.

Plus, there’s worry about health problems from long-term exposure to arsenic and lead through food grown with dolomite-based fertilizers. These worries are slowing down how much the dolomite market can grow, especially in farming.

In summary, these challenges—like changes in what’s in demand, worries about health, and following all the rules—make it hard for the dolomite market to grow as much as it could.

Opportunity

Dolomite markets hold some promising prospects despite their hurdles. With increased focus on eco-friendly farming and the demand for safer fertilizers, dolomite could become an attractive solution if it can be processed without activating harmful metals or more effective processing techniques become available. This could make dolomite more competitive as an ingredient for making fertilizers.

Dolomite has proven useful in construction and steel making industries, which are growing exponentially; and dolomite plays an integral part in both industries – offering plenty of opportunity for growth in these sectors.

Scientists are actively exploring various applications for dolomite, including energy generation or environmental remediation. There’s much to discover here and may open up new uses for dolomite.

Asia-Pacific markets for dolomite are expanding, thanks to new ways to access it more efficiently. By discovering better uses for dolomite and discovering ways to utilize it more efficiently, there’s potential for further market expansion, particularly within new regions.

Challenges

The dolomite market encounters several challenges that hinder its growth. One significant hurdle is the reduced demand stemming from the increased use of low-grade phosphate rock in fertilizers. This shift impacts dolomite’s demand as a fertilizer component, as the cheaper and more accessible low-grade alternatives gain preference.

Dolomite-based fertilizer production often includes activating heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and zinc that pose potential health risks upon consumption; impurities like lead and arsenic found in dolomite-based products could pose additional issues that arise upon consumption, raising concerns for food safety and human wellbeing.

Meeting stringent regulatory standards and compliance regarding heavy metal activation, impurities, and environmental impacts of dolomite-based products is another challenge for industry players. Ensuring compliance while maintaining product effectiveness and safety adds complexity to the market landscape.

Additionally, long-term health concerns linked to arsenic and lead exposure from food grown with dolomite-based fertilizers contribute to market constraints. These concerns affect the market’s potential growth in the agriculture sector.

Overall, these challenges, including shifting market demands, health concerns, and regulatory complexities, present obstacles to the dolomite market’s expansion and development. Addressing these challenges will require innovative solutions, stringent adherence to regulations, and efforts to mitigate health-related apprehensions for sustainable growth.

Regional Analysis

The North America was the region with the highest share of more than 36% in 2023. The iron & metal industry is seeing a rise in demand due to increased production of refractories. The imposition of lockdown was necessary because of the impact that the covid-19 virus outbreak had on production activities. Industries are currently refocusing their operations after the restrictions were lifted.

The rising demand for the covid-19 vaccine will be fueled by a focus on increasing glass production to support the pharmaceutical industry. Gerresheimer India has announced that it will triple its production of tubular glass by 2020 and double its production of molded vials in 2023.

North America was second in revenue share for 2023, due to the region’s high production of glass, cement, and refractories. The importance of the region is being recognized by key players who are now making strategic moves to increase their market share in the region. RHI Magnesita bought Missouri Refractories by RHI Magnesita in February 2020 in order to improve its position in North America.

Note: Actual Numbers Might Vary In the Final Report

Key Regions and Countries

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• APAC
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• MEA
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Israel
  • Rest of MEA

Key Players Analysis

It is highly competitive because there are many players already in the industry. Many of the leading companies use strategic strategies to improve their market shares, such as acquisitions and mergers.

Mineracao Be local was a joint venture formed by Votorantim Cito and Lhoist in May 2018 and acquired L-Imerys Brazilian dolomite and lime business. The prominent players in the dolomite industry include:

Маrkеt Kеу Рlауеrѕ

• Calcinor
• Carmeuse
• Imerys
• Lhoist
• Omya AG
• RHI Magnesita
• Sibelco
• Vardar Dolomite
• Other Key Players

Recent Developments

In January 2023: RHI Magnesita announced the acquisition of a majority stake in Jinan New Emei Industries Co. Ltd., a Chinese refractory manufacturer. The acquisition will allow RHI Magnesita to expand its product line in steel flow control refractories and provide extra manufacturing capacity to increase refractory supply in China and the wider East Asia area.

In May 2022, Omya, based in Switzerland, acquired the distributor Prima Inter-Chem in Malaysia and Indonesia. Omya boosts and develops its ingredient and specialty chemicals distribution in these countries for the food, pharmaceutical, animal feed, and industrial markets. Omya is a global producer of industrial minerals mainly derived from calcium carbonate, dolomite, and perlite and a worldwide distributor of specialty chemicals.

In April 2022, Backtrace Holdings Ltd – a world leader in Productizing Science is excited to announce the launch of Particle Works, a spin-out of Dolomite Microfluidics. The official launch of this new brand took place at the LNP Formulation and Process Development Summit in Boston, MA, from the 12th to the 14th of April 2022.

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