Inorganic Salts Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Application (Chemicals, Food Industry, Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care, Agriculture, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global inorganic salts market size was USD 213.52 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 229.25 billion in 2024 to USD 396.18 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the inorganic salts market with a market share of 48.11% in 2023.

This market is expected to experience growth attributed to the high demand from the pharmaceutical and agricultural sectors. These salts do not contain a C-H bond as organic compounds. Due to the ionic interaction between the cation and anion, they dissolve in water. Metal salts with positively charged cation and negatively charged anion are the most prevalent. Magnesium salts, ammonium salts, potassium salts, and calcium salts are among the most widely used salts in the industry. The COVID-19 pandemic had an unparalleled impact on the global economy, particularly the chemical sector, which was severely disrupted. In the last two years, demand for chemicals and materials has plummeted in the chemical industry. Many other post-pandemic changes have demonstrated disruptive repercussions in addition to internal changes in the sector, such as trade uncertainty, pricing pressure, and overcapacity. Many chemicals, medicinal medicines, and agrochemicals are made from these salts and other bulk compounds. During the pandemic, the rise in demand for pharmaceutical medications boosted the demand for these salts, but the total market declined due to labor shortages, unregulated raw material supply, government restrictions on manufacturing techniques, and other factors.

Inorganic Salts Market Trends

Increasing Adoption of Inorganic Metal Salts is an Emerging Trend in Market

Many common salts are used as salt substitutes, including potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, calcium chloride, and others. One of today's developing trends is the use of these salts instead of sodium chloride. For instance, potassium salts are the most frequently used alternative for sodium salts as their taste closely approaches that of sodium chloride. The significant danger associated with a high sodium salt diet, as well as growing knowledge of its detrimental effects on the body, are driving up demand. Furthermore, ferrous sulfate is one of the iron deficiency-treating salts that is frequently recommended to patients suffering from anemia caused by iron deficiency. Inorganic metal salts are commonly utilized as antacids in medicinal applications, which has increased their popularity.

Inorganic Salts Market Growth Factors

Growing Demand for Pharmaceuticals to Propel Market Growth

Inorganic salts find use in a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals. Increased use of inorganic compounds as precursors and catalysts in the production of various medicinal products is expected to drive the market expansion. Hydrochloride salts, for example, are the most prevalent salts used in pharmaceutical drug manufacture, according to an article published by drugs.com. With around 15.5% of the market share. They have an important role in the body's activities and metabolism. Bone minerals, are inorganic components of bone tissues. The balance of sodium and potassium in cells is maintained by these salts in plasma. The increased demand for health drinks containing these salts is expected to drive the market expansion.

 Furthermore, the advent of numerous oncological and autoimmune disorders is driving the demand for drug and medicine. Furthermore, rising living standards, an aging population, and the prevalence of non-communicable diseases will all have an influence on the inorganic salts market growth.

Increasing Demand for Fertilizers to Drive Market

Nitrogen-containing salts, such as ammonium salts, are widely used in fertilizer production as they act as nitrogen suppliers. They are also employed in the production of insecticides and agrochemicals for soil treatment and conditioning. Some of the salts are ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, calcium nitrate, diammonium phosphate, monoammonium phosphate, and others. Increased need for crop yields, owing to the world's growing population, is surging the demand for agrochemicals, which is further boosting demand. The total nutritional capacity of ammonia, phosphoric acid, and potash in fertilizers was 317.5 million tons in 2020, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and it is likely to expand further. This is expected to surge the demand for organic salts. In addition, the increasing demand for fertilizers in the inorganic salt market is driven by population growth and urbanization, which has led to rising demand for food globally, necessitating the use of fertilizers to enhance agricultural productivity and meet growing food requirements.

Moreover, the expansion of the agriculture sector and the adoption of modern farming particles, including intensive cropping systems and greenhouse cultivation, further drive the demand for fertilizers. Inorganic salt plays a crucial role in replenishing soil nutrients, maintaining soil fertility, and improving crop yields, thereby supporting sustainable agriculture practices and food security initiatives. Additionally, government policies and subsidies aimed at promoting agriculture productivity and ensuring food self-sufficiency contribute to the increasing demand for fertilizers in the inorganic salt market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Toxicity of Certain Salts May Hamper the Market

Salts such as mercury chloride, barium bromide, lead salts, and others are either extremely or moderately poisonous in nature, causing discomfort and even death. Mercury salts, for example, predominantly impact the gastrointestinal tract but can also harm the kidneys. They can cause brain damage even if not exposed for a long time, which can be fatal. This is projected to hinder market expansion.

Inorganic Salts Market Segmetation Analysis

By Application Analysis

Food Industry Segment to Attain Major Share Owing to Swift Urbanization

Based on application, the inorganic salts market is fragmented into chemicals, food industry, pharmaceuticals & personal care, agriculture, and others. The chemical sector in the application segment created the highest revenue in 2020. The growing demand for such salts in the production of various significant chemical compounds and materials is anticipated to propel the segment’s growth. The food industry segment is expected to generate significant revenue.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

The Asia Pacific market was valued at USD 102.73 billion in 2023. Extensive manufacturing and exporting of pharmaceuticals from India and China, owing to the presence of a large chemical manufacturing base, is likely to boost the market growth. For instance, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) pharmaceutical industry, India provides more than 50% of the overall global demand for different vaccines and almost 40% of the demand in the U.S.

Europe is anticipated to show significant growth accredited to the high demand for pharmaceutical drugs from the healthcare sector. Additionally, increasing agricultural developments and initiatives taken by the government to yield maximum crop production are expected to drive demand.

The North American market is projected to grow considerably, owing to the increasing adoption of salts containing nitrates. These salts are used in manufacturing explosives and ammunition. Additionally, increasing the adoption of fertilizers to boost farm yield is predicted to influence market growth.

Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are projected to exhibit substantial growth by the end of the industry forecast period. Improving socio-economic conditions and increasing industrialization are likely to foster market growth.

List of Key Companies in Inorganic Salts Market

Major Market Players Adopt Various Strategies to Amplify their Market Presence

The market is consolidated in nature due to the presence of a large number of global players. Arkema, Solvay, and Eastman Chemical Company are the key market players.

Manufacturers in this market mainly operate according to the product's application and price features. Several large firms are entering into strategic alliances to endorse their brands and enhance sales in an attempt to grow their market presence, and get a competitive edge.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Redmond Clay & Salt Company (Utah, U.S.)


• United Salt Corporation (Texas, U.S.)


• Eastman Chemical Company (Tennessee, U.S.)


• Arkema (Colombes, France)


• Solvay (Brussels, Belgium)


• Tata Chemicals (Mumbai, India)


• GFS Chemicals (Ohio, U.S.)


• Otsuka Chemical (Gurugram, India)


• Behn Meyer (Hamburg, Germany)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• September 2021 – Arkema announced a price hike for its hydrogen peroxide and sodium chlorate by 15%. The new process became effective on 1^st October 2021.


• April 2021 - K+S Group announced the divestment of its America's salts business associated with the Operating Unit Americas to Stone Canyon Industries Holdings LLC and Mark Demetree and Partners at the price of USD 2.93 billion.


• April 2020- GFS Chemicals Inc. launched a corporate profile page and its newly redesigned e-commerce website.

REPORT COVERAGE

The global market research report examines this industry in depth, focusing on critical factors such as key players, products, and raw materials. In addition, the study provides insights into market trends as well as key industry advancements. The study includes different variables that have contributed to the market's growth in recent years, in addition to the factors listed above.

This study examines the industry's newest market dynamics and opportunities as well as historical data and revenue growth estimates at the global, regional, and country levels.

Report Scope & Segmentation