Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market by Raw Materials (Elemental Sulfur, Base Metal Smelters, and Pyrite Ores), Manufacturing Process (Contact Process, Lead Chamber Process, Wet Sulfuric Acid Process, and Others), and Regional Analysis (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2031

Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market Analysis

The Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market Size was $4,662.0 million in 2021 and is predicted to grow with a CAGR of 7.7%, by generating a revenue of $9,576.5 million by 2031.

Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market Synopsis

The adoption of industrial sulfuric acid in a variety of industries, including fertilizers, chemicals, and automobile manufacturing, is a major market driver. Industry share of gas-based elemental sulfur is expected to witness significant momentum on account of their its. The growing emphasis on the critical role of elemental sulfur solubility on sour gas reservoir development will also contribute to the industry expansion. The rising number of research activities is another impact rendering factor for product consumption. The increasing count of natural gas reservoirs for extracting sulfur will also aid in the market development. Sulfuric acid is a fluid material that is readily soluble, colorless, and odorless and is miscible with water. This factor is estimated to drive the market growth during the forecast period.  

Sulfuric acid is made from sulfur dioxide, which is released through the combustion of coal, oil, and gas. Sulphur dioxide is progressively converted to sulfur trioxide, which reacts with water vapor in the air to produce sulfuric acid. Sulfuric acid may float in the air for varying periods of time. Sulfuric acid in the rain contributes to acid rain. Acid rain endangers both human health and the ecosystem. Forests and wildlife may sustain significant harm. As a consequence of it seeping into the ground, nutrients such as calcium and magnesium that are required for the growth and development of trees and other natural flora are dissolved. As a result, the adverse effects of sulfuric acid are expected to limit the sulfuric acid demand. The loss of arable land brought on by rapid urbanization and industrialization is forcing farmers to use fertilizers to boost crop yield. The increasing use of H₂SO₄ in the manufacture of high-quality agricultural fertilizers to increase production capacity is anticipated to fuel market growth. The majority of the production of tainted sulfuric acid, which leads to the regeneration of pure and concentrated H₂SO₄ products, occurs in chemical and petroleum refineries. Low emissions from the regenerated acids result in lower production costs, making it sustainable and environmentally friendly. Over the course of the forecast period, rising investments in chemical synthesis research and development in China's chemical manufacturing industry are anticipated to drive excellent opportunity for the market expansion. 

According to regional analysis, Asia-Pacific region is expected to continue to be a significant growth factor for the industrial sulfuric acid market in the coming years, driven by increasing demand for fertilizers, industrialization and infrastructure development, and government initiatives promoting sustainable technologies.

Industrial Sulfuric Acid Overview

Sulfuric acid is a colorless, odorless, and viscous liquid soluble in water at all concentrations. It is a strong acid made by oxidizing sulfur dioxide solutions and used in large quantities as an industrial and laboratory reagent. The growing demand for sulfuric acid is due to its increased utilization in the agriculture and automotive sectors. Sulfuric acid is widely used due to its direct and indirect applications in manufacturing many chemicals, including fertilizers. The Asia-Pacific region is the largest consumer of fertilizers due to the increased demand for sulfuric acid-based fertilizers in the region.

COVID-19 Impact on Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market

The sulfuric acid sector has suffered as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic decreased the demand for various goods and services, disrupted global supply lines, and decreased industrial production, all of which had a negative impact on economic development. The need for sulfuric acid has decreased in important industries including oil and gas, mining, and industrial production. Lockdowns associated with the pandemic and decreased consumer demand caused many companies to face a fall in production, which in turn lowered the need for sulfuric acid. In addition, the pandemic affected the availability of chemicals and raw materials needed to produce sulfuric acid, increasing prices and delaying production. It also became challenging for businesses to undertake site visits, inspections, and maintenance tasks, which affected the dependability and safety of sulfuric acid manufacturing facilities. This was due to travel limitations and social distance-promoting policies. Furthermore, the pandemic has resulted in reduced workforce availability due to illness, quarantine requirements, and other restrictions, which can impact the productivity and efficiency of sulfuric acid production.

Growing Applications of Sulfuric Acid in Industrial Sector to Drive the Market Growth

Rising development initiatives, such as expanding businesses' production capacities to increase the production of sulfuric acid products from elemental sulfur, are anticipated to fuel market expansion.  Sulfuric acid is used in a variety of manufacturing industries since it is one of the most common bulk chemicals manufactured across the world. It is produced using traditional processes such as wet acid process and contact process, employing elemental sulfur and oleum or hydrogen sulfide as basic ingredients. The sulfuric acid market overview demonstrates the relevance of sulfuric acid as an intermediate and raw material in a variety of industrial and residential applications.

To know more about global industrial sulfuric acid market drivers, get in touch with our analysts here.

Safety Concerns Regarding Industrial Sulfuric Acid to Restrain the Market Growth

As sulfuric acid absorbs moisture and water from its surroundings, it has a drying effect. It is a poisonous, colorless substance that must be kept in storage at a particular temperature range. It must have a minimum concentration of 90% and be transported in a stainless-steel tank or container with temperatures that don't go over 35°C. Additionally, the concerns about the handling and transportation of sulfuric acid are anticipated to provide a challenge to the market.

Growing Use of Sulfuric Acid in Agriculture Sector to Drive Excellent Opportunities

Sulfuric acid is also utilized as a catalyst in several industrial chemical processes, such as the manufacture of caprolactam from cyclohexanone, the creation of isooctane from isobutene and isobutylene, and so on. Sulfuric acid is frequently used as a catalyst for reaction processes to complete quickly to provide the needed chemical output. The use of industrial sulfuric acid for agriculture practices is rising significantly owing to the growing demand for higher crop yield and growing urbanization. All these factors create an excellent opportunity for the industrial sulfuric acid market.

To know more about global industrial sulfuric acid market opportunities, get in touch with our analysts here.

Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market, by Raw Materials

Based on raw materials, the market has been divided into elemental sulfur, base metal smelters, pyrite ores. Among these, the elemental sulfur sub-segment accounted for the highest market share in 2021.

Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market Size, by Raw Materials, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The elemental sulfur sub-type accounted for a dominant market share in 2021. The manufacturing of sulfuric acid relies heavily on elemental sulfur, which is also utilized in several industrial processes. One of the main uses of elemental sulfur is to make sulfuric acid.  The sulfuric acid market is expanding due to the increasing use of sulfuric acid in a variety of industries. Elemental sulfuric acid is used as a processing material in chemical synthesis. The diverse properties of sulfuric acid, due to which it can be used in medication manufacture in pharmaceutical sectors, will fuel market growth. During the forecast period, these are expected to be the major factors influencing the industrial sulfuric acid market.

The base metal smelters sub-type is projected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period.  Electrical and electronic component manufacturers frequently use base metals. The manufacture of copper, cobalt, lead, nickel, and zinc via pyrometallurgical, electrolytic, or hydrometallurgical techniques is known as base metals smelting. Silver, gold, indium, cadmium, bismuth, and selenium are among the co-product metals produced. Metals are produced directly from ores in primary smelting and refining operations, whereas metals are produced from scrap and process byproducts in secondary smelting and refining processes. All these factors are predicted to drive the base metal smelters segment growth during the forecast period.

Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market, by Manufacturing Process

Based on manufacturing process, the market has been divided into contact process, lead, chamber process, wet sulfuric acid process, and others. Among these, the contact process sub-segment accounted for highest revenue share in 2021.

Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market Share, by Manufacturing Process, 2021

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The contact process sub-segment accounted for a dominant market share in 2021. The contact process is used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid. The contact process enables the production of large quantities of exceptional sulfuric acid using only a few basic instruments and techniques. The technique also produces little waste and is easy to regulate, yielding sulfuric acid of consistent purity.

Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market, Regional Insights

The industrial sulfuric acid market was investigated across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market Size & Forecast, by Region, 2021-2031 (USD Million)

Source: Research Dive Analysis

The Market for Industrial Sulfuric Acid in Asia-Pacific to be the Most Dominant

The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to generate the maximum revenue during the forecast period. . The market for sulfuric acid has been expanding quickly as a result of the increased demand from the chemical, fertilizers, and other industrial sectors in nations like China, India, and Japan. The ability to produce sulfuric acid in China is expected to rise to 21.08 million tons per year. The supply pattern of the sulfuric acid market in the nation is anticipated to experience major changes after the capacity rise in 2022–2024, including rising exports, declining imports, and changes in products’ flow. On the grounds of the fertilizer cooperative IFFCO at its Paradip division, the Chief Minister of Odisha lay the cornerstone for a sulfuric acid production plant in July 2021. The anticipated cost of the project is INR 400 crore (about USD 48.36 million), with operations expected to begin in 2023. The reliance on chemical imports will decline due to this new manufacturing facility.  This plant, which is IFFCO's third sulfuric acid manufacturing facility, has a daily output capacity of about 2,000 metric tons. One economy that is primarily reliant on agriculture is that of India.

Competitive Scenario in the Global Industrial Sulfuric Acid Market

Investment and agreement are common strategies followed by major market players. For instance, in June 2019, Veolia announced the expansion of its Louisiana plant in June 2019, which converts sulfuric acid into commercial-quality sulfuric acid and also produces sulfur-based products for refining and other uses. New equipment and improvements to existing equipment will result in a 15% increase in sulfuric acid regeneration capacity.

Source: Research Dive Analysis

Some of the leading Industrial Sulfuric Acid market players are The Mosaic Company, BASF SE, OCP Group, Nouryon, DuPont, AkzoNobel N.V, Agrium Inc., PVS Chemical Solution, Khaitan Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd, and INEOS.