In 2017, the global chelating agents market size was valued at USD 4.08 billion. Growing application in pulp & paper production, industrial cleaning, household products, agrochemicals, textile industry, and water treatment is expected to drive the global chelating agents market demand over the projected period.

Increase in the application of chelating agents for the removal of metal oxide, salt, and hard water scale has increased its penetration in the textile industry and the trend is expected to continue over the coming years. Moreover, the development of biodegradable organic compounds is expected to further propel the chelating agents market size over the projected period.

Aminopolycarboxylate accounted for more than 35% of the global chelating agents market share, both by volume and revenue, in 2017. They are extensively used in numerous industrial and domestic products, with the most important applications in agriculture, pulp & paper manufacturing, and industrial cleaners. Ability to prevent metal from interfering with detergent’s ability to remove stains and soils from clothing has increased its penetration in textile manufacturing over the past few years.

The size of the global market for Chelating Agents is expected to reach $6.7 Billion by 2030, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.33%.

Growing pulp & paper industry is expected to offer a lucrative opportunity for chelating agent manufacturers over the coming years. World production of paper and paper products in 2017 was more than 400 million tons. Growing packaging industry coupled with the emergence of e-commerce industry is expected to open new avenues for chelating agents over the coming years. In 2017, global chelating agents market sales for pulp & paper application stood at USD 1.51 billion. Extensive application in the production of pulp & paper products is expected to propel the demand.

Over the past few years, the use of chelating agents such as dimercaprol, dimercaptosuccinic acid, dimercaptopropane sulfonate, penicillamine, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), deferoxamine, and deferasirox in the pharmaceutical industry has increased substantially. Growing adoption as a treatment for arsenic, lead, uranium, iron, mercury, and other forms of toxic metal poisoning is expected to increase market adoption over the coming years.

World agrochemicals market sales were more than USD 200 billion in 2017. Growing investment in agrochemicals coupled with government support to strengthen the agricultural industry in developing countries such as China, India, and Brazil is expected to increase demand for chelating agents. Increasing awareness regarding available new products followed by the development of bio-farming is expected to drive the global chelating agents market growth over the projected period.

North America accounted for more than 25% of the global chelating agents market demand in 2017. Recovering pulp & paper industry and increasing demand for specialty household & industrial cleaners is expected to augment the chelating agent market concentration over the projected period. North America pulp production was more than 30% of the world pulp production in 2017. Moreover, growing penetration of pulp & paper manufacturers in the U.S. and Canada over the past few years is expected to increase the chelating agent market reach over the projected period.

The global chelating agents market is competitive in nature as a large number of well-established manufacturers are present in this market. Prominent manufacturers are BASF SE, Cargill, Incorporated, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Nouryon, DowDuPont Inc., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Kemira, Tate & Lyle, Shandong IRO Chelating Chemical Co., Ltd., and Merck KGaA.

Manufacturers operating in global chelating agents industry are adopting portfolio optimization and capacity expansion strategies in order to strengthen their position in the competitive environment. For instance, in June 2018, BASF SE invested double-digit millions in its Germany production plant in order to optimize product portfolio and strengthen its value chain for chelating agents. Stringent government regulations on adoption of chelating agents have forced chemical manufacturers to focus on bio-based product development. For instance, in 2017, AkzoNobel, a Dutch company specialized in paints & coatings partnered with Itaconix, a UK based functional ingredients manufacturers, to develop bio-based chelating agents. Initiatives such as these are expected to augment the natural chelating agents market demand over the forecast period.

Chelating Agents Market Scope

Key segments of the global chelating agents market

Product Overview

• Sodium gluconate
• Aminopolycarboxylate (EDTA/DTPA/HEDTA)
• Organophosphonates
• Others

Application Overview

• Pulp & Paper
• Household & industrial cleaning
• Agrochemicals
• Water treatment
• Chemical processing
• Consumer products
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

Regional Overview

• North America
  • U.S.
• Europe
  • Germany
  • Spain
  • France
  • UK
  • Netherlands
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
• Middle East & Africa
• Latin America