Ferric Hydroxide Market

Ferric Hydroxide Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

Worldwide sales of ferric hydroxide are estimated at US$ 1.21 billion in 2024 and are projected to increase at a CAGR of 4.8% to reach US$ 1.93 billion by the end of 2034.

Iron, sodium, boron, oxygen, and carbon combine to form ferric hydroxide. It is an organic compound that is produced by applying pressure to a mixture of water and oxygen.

The substance was recently given clinical approval to treat serious infections in humans. It has been discovered that ferric hydroxide works well against bacterial contamination and food poisoning. Ferric hydroxide-based products are used in other applications such as colorants for ceramics, paper, rubber, plastics, glass, textiles, animal feed, cosmetics, fertilizers, and industrial chemicals.

Key Market Growth Drivers

• Ferric hydroxide is a valuable industrial chemical because of its several properties. It works especially well against oxidation reactions in nature, like those that occur at the point of oxidation in photosynthesis, because it first releases free radicals when exposed to oxygen and moisture.
• It can be used as a dilution cleaner in wastewater treatment plants because, in its pure form, it is insoluble in water and needs oxygen to react with.
• When released into the environment, it has minimal toxicity and no smell. Ferric hydroxide is hard to detect because it has no taste or odor, and prolonged consumption of it can result in skin issues and cancer.
• In industrial-scale facilities, there are primarily two methods used for its production. In the first, Fe(OH)3 is precipitated by mixing oxygen and ferric hydroxide in mixtures with a pH lower than boiling. The second method involves the direct conversion of ferric hydroxide with an enzyme catalyst. High levels of dissolved ions are produced during the wastewater treatment process by both techniques, thus creating more demand in the market.
• The construction sector uses several products based on ferric hydroxide to make paving stones, roofing tiles, ready-mixed concrete, decorative concrete, blocks, and bricks.
• In the pharmaceutical sector, ferric hydroxide is used to make medications for patients with hematuria. Global warming-related environmental concerns are a major factor contributing to the expansion of the ferric hydroxide market size.

Report Attribute	Detail
Ferric Hydroxide Market Size (2024E)	US$ 1.21 Billion
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 1.93 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	4.8% CAGR
East Asia Market Share (2024E)	26.47%
North America Market Share (2024E)	16.21%
Slurry Form Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 776.1 Million
Key Companies Profiled	Lanxess; Ferro Corporation; BASF SE; Harold Scholz & Co. GmbH; SIOF S.p.a.; Jinhe Enterprise Co. Limited; Yipin Pigments; Cathay Industries; Jiangsu Yuxing Industry and Trade Co. Ltd.

What are the Key Ferric Hydroxide Market Trends to Watch Out For?

“Rising Use of Ferric Hydroxide in Reducing Toxic Metals in Industrial Water”

For centuries, hydroxylic acid and ferric hydroxide have been crucial for purifying water by eliminating toxins, a practice still widely employed today. Governments worldwide are increasingly enforcing stringent regulations on wastewater treatment to combat water pollution effectively.

Various industries, such as chemical, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, paper, and pulp, rely on chemicals for sustainable water treatment. The use of ferric hydroxide granules is gaining popularity due to their unique chemical properties, particularly in reducing the concentration of toxic metals like arsenic, copper, and zinc in industrial water.

Ferric hydroxide serves many purposes in water treatment, including removing undesirable elements from mineral water, remediating groundwater, purifying spring water, and treating therapeutic water. The expanding water treatment sector is projected to drive the demand for ferric hydroxide in the market.

What is Restricting Consumption of Ferric Hydroxide?

“Growing Emphasis on Adoption of Environmentally Sustainable Practices”

Even though ferric hydroxide eliminates heavy metal contaminants, it still requires the use of costly filters, which is anticipated to restrict the ferric hydroxide market growth over the course of the forecasted period. The emphasis on regionally specific strategies is a result of the stark differences in the economic and social challenges that exist between nations.

In the United States, demand for iron oxide has reduced due to adverse weather conditions and the availability of competitively priced imports. In addition, reduced demand from the automotive sector contributes to the overall decline in iron oxide prices across North America. Within the ferric hydroxide market, there are growing concerns about the pressure to adopt environmentally sustainable practices and reduce carbon footprint. Balancing operational effectiveness with cost-effectiveness remains a challenge in implementing sustainability initiatives.

Country-wise Insights

North America occupies 16.21% of the global ferric hydroxide market share in 2024, while East Asia accounts for 26.47% market share. Increasing construction activity is driving up demand for ferric hydroxide in the Asia Pacific region, which includes developing countries such as India and China. Growth opportunities for the industry in this region are created by infrastructure development projects and favorable government policies.

Why is Granular Ferric Hydroxide Gaining Popularity in the United States?

“Extensive Use of Granular Ferric Hydroxide in Arsenic Removal”

Attribute	United States
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 154.2 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	5.6% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 265.4 Million

Granular ferric hydroxides are gaining popularity in the United States for arsenic removal from drinking water. This method creates the need for ferric hydroxide by providing a chemical-free alternative to extract high arsenic levels from groundwater. The growth of the pharmaceutical sector, driven by increasing health-related concerns, is projected to further fuel ferric hydroxide market growth in the United States during the forecast period.

Why is the Market in China Conducive for Ferric Hydroxide Producers?

“Government Policies Promoting Cleaner Energy Sources and Emphasis on Cost Reduction”

Attribute	China
Market Value (2024E)	US$ 181.4 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	5.8% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 318.6 Million

China is estimated to occupy 56.7% share of the East Asian market in 2024. The ferric hydroxide market in China is driven by reducing supply chain disruptions, government policies promoting cleaner energy sources, support for sustainable materials, and focus on cost consciousness and operational efficiency. Businesses are adopting strategies to navigate challenges and capitalize on opportunities.

Category-wise Insights

Granular, slurry, and powder forms are the three primary types of ferric hydroxide predominantly used. Granular ferric hydroxide, a solid form, is ideal for applications requiring gradual iron release. Each type is tailored to specific industry needs, offering distinct advantages. It finds application across various sectors including water treatment, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Known for its efficacy in removing phosphorus and arsenic from water sources, ferric hydroxide is an essential chemical in water treatment applications.

Which Product Type Accounts for a Significant Market Share?

“Ferric Hydroxide Slurry Accounts for Leading Share Due to Ease of Handling”

Attribute	Slurry
Segment Value (2024E)	US$ 776.1 Million
Growth Rate (2024 to 2034)	4.5% CAGR
Projected Value (2034F)	US$ 1.2 Billion

In terms of product form, the slurry segment is poised to hold 64.2% share of the market in 2024. Ferric hydroxide slurry is both solid and liquid, making it easier to handle and combine with other substances. Finely ferric hydroxide powder exhibits rapid dispersion in solutions.

Will Rising Demand for Clean Drinking Water Influence Market Growth?

“Extensive Use of Ferric Hydroxide in Water Treatment Due to its Efficacy”

The use of ferric hydroxide is primarily for water treatment purposes. The increasing demand for ferric hydroxide is expected to fuel market growth due to rising potable water consumption. Population growth is projected to further increase the demand for clean water, boosting the need for ferric hydroxide and market expansion. Water treatment companies worldwide prefer ferric hydroxide due to its high efficacy, boosting its demand and fueling market expansion.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the ferric hydroxide market are Lanxess, Ferro Corporation, BASF SE, Harold Scholz & Co. GmbH, SIOF S.p.a., Jinhe Enterprise Co. Limited, Yipin Pigments, Nemysis Ltd., Kolinpharma SpA, Cathay Industries, and Jiangsu Yuxing Industry and Trade Co. Ltd.

• Nemysis Ltd. and Kolinpharma SpA in January 2024 announced the pact of a non-exclusive sales and marketing agreement for Nemysis's ground-breaking oral iron supplement, IHAT (Iron Hydroxide Adipate Tartrate). As per the agreement, Kolinpharma will market IHAT under its brand KIPFeR by utilizing its current sales network and connections with pertinent clinical communities. Nemysis also plans to directly market IHAT in Italy under the Tolfer brand. This agreement will improve coverage of the target markets in Italy, one of the biggest markets in Europe when combined with Nemysis' current channels.

Segmentation of Ferric Hydroxide Market Research

• By Product Form :

  • Solid
  • Slurry

• By Application :

  • Paints & Coatings
  • Construction
  • Plastic
  • Water Treatment
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Cosmetics

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • Latin America
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa