North America and South America Acetylene Black Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Type (Powder Form and Granular Form), By Application (Adhesives/Sealants/Coatings, Batteries, Rubber, Greases, Cosmetic & Personal Care, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The North America and South America acetylene black market size was valued at USD 28.4 million in 2022 and is projected to grow from USD 31.23 million in 2023 to USD 43.9 million by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period.

Acetylene black is a carbon black produced by the decomposition of acetylene gas at high temperatures. It is produced as a fine black powder with a high surface area and electrical conductivity. Its superior properties make it a valuable material in several industries, particularly energy storage. The fine powder form of the product allows it to be easily mixed with other materials and dispersed evenly. On the other hand, the granular form makes it easier to handle the material while transporting and using it. Both granular and powder forms are used in different applications, including adhesives/sealants/coatings, batteries, rubber, greases, and cosmetic & personal care. The rising demand for batteries from the automotive and electronic industries is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Disruption of the Supply Chain amid Pandemic Restricted Market Growth

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in different countries in North America & South America announcing lockdowns to control the spread of the pandemic. Restrictions on movement and transportation disrupted supply chains, which led to the stoppage of operations by several industries. Disruption of the supply chain led to lower production of raw materials required for product manufacturing and lowered the product demand. The market was significantly affected by logistics challenges, labor shortages, and the severe impact of the pandemic on major end-use industries. However, with significant control over the spread of the pandemic, many industries started operating at their full capacity in mid-2021, which is anticipated to present lucrative opportunities for product demand.

North America and South America Acetylene Black Market Trends

Increasing Acetylene Black Adoption in High-Performance Rubber Products to Create Market Growth Opportunities

Improving durability, strength, and wear resistance has increased the product demand for high-performance rubber goods. In the rubber industry, it is frequently employed as a reinforcing agent. It is used to produce high-performance rubber goods, such as conveyor belts, tires, and industrial hoses, due to its superior dispersibility and large surface area.

In rubber formulations, acetylene black often replaces traditional carbon black types, such as furnace black and channel black. The higher purity, better dispersibility, and larger surface area offered by the product make it ideal over other forms of carbon black. Moreover, it is preferred over other types of carbon black for applications, such as manufacturing high-performance tires, where its superior reinforcing capabilities can aid in enhancing handling, grip, and performance.

North America and South America Acetylene Black Market Growth Factors

Growing Battery Production to Drive North America & South America Acetylene Black Market Growth

The increasing adoption of Electric Vehicles (EVs) has proliferated the acetylene carbon demand due to its use in production of lithium-ion batteries. Acetylene black plays a vital role in lithium-ion battery production as it is used as a conductive additive in the anode material to improve conductivity. Several factors have increased the EV demand, such as government policies to incentivize EV ownership, increasing the variety of EV models, and developing charging infrastructure, which is further driving product demand in the automotive industry.

Increasing battery technology has paved the path for product, increasing the battery's conductivity. It has a high degree of graphitization and surface area, which improves the electrical conductivity, further increasing the energy density and enhancing the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The rising trend toward eco-friendly and sustainable transportation solutions such as EVs is projected to increase product demand during the forecast period.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Availability of Substitutes and Volatality in Raw Material Availability to Limit Market Growth

The demand for the product can be hindered due to the availability of alternatives, such as carbon black, conductive polymers, graphite, metal oxides, and silica as they are used as colorants, conductive fillers, and reinforcing agents, in various end-use industries. Emerging material classes, such as conductive polymer, threaten market growth.

In addition, the fluctuating raw material availability and cost are impeding market growth. The production of acetylene requires the availability of acetylene gas derived from fossil fuels. Depleting fossil fuel resources has prompted soaring prices and increased production costs, limiting market growth.

North America and South America Acetylene Black Market Segmentation Analysis

By Type Analysis

Powder Form Type Held Higher Share Owing to its Rising Adoption in Battery Production

Based on the type, the market is segmented into powder form and granular form.

In 2022, the powder form segment held the largest share of the market due to its rising use as a conductive additive in battery production. It helps improve the battery's electrical conductivity, which can improve its overall performance. The weight-to-power ratio is critical in electric vehicles as it affects the performance, range, and efficiency of the vehicle. Employing materials with superior properties, such as acetylene black, helps manufacture lighter and more power-efficient battery packs, thus helping bypass the significant challenge of maintaining a high power-to-weight ratio in electric vehicles.

The granular form is generally easier to handle and generates lower dust than the product in powder form. The larger particle size of granular acetylene black is advantageous during tire compounding, facilitating better dispersion into the rubber matrix. As demand for electric vehicles grows, demand for the product will rise simultaneously, owing to its use in components, such as tires and batteries.

By Application Analysis

Batteries Segment Accounted for Dominant Share due to the Continuously Rising Demand for Lithium-ion and Lead-acid Batteries

In terms of application, the market is segmented into adhesives/sealants/coatings, batteries, rubber, greases, cosmetic & personal care, and others.

The batteries segment held a dominant North America and South America acetylene black market share in 2022. Acetylene black is used in the production of batteries, such as lithium-ion and lead acid batteries, owing to its excellent electrical conductivity. Demand for these high-performance batteries is increasing due to rising demand from the electric vehicle industry and the growth in renewable energy industries, such as solar and wind, propelling market growth.

In the rubber industry, the product is used as a reinforcing agent, providing functions, such as enhanced strength, improved durability, and higher abrasion resistance, making the product a reinforcing agent of choice for the rubber industry. It is used as a functional additive for greases. It can improve the lubricity of greases and reduce friction and wear between moving parts. It is also used as a critical pigment and filler in the coating industry due to its ability to enhance electrical conductivity and visual properties.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Geographically, the market is studied across North America & South America.

North America accounted for the largest market share in 2022, owing to higher product consumption for different applications, including adhesives/ sealants/coatings, batteries, rubber, greases, and cosmetics. Recently, the region has witnessed an increase in demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. The product will likely play a critical role in the electrification revolution as the batteries made using acetylene black can extend the driving range of electric vehicles. The U.S. and Canada, are setting up strict goals for reducing their carbon emissions. These countries are vouching to transition toward renewable energy to meet their sustainability targets during the forecast period, which can trigger the product demand for energy storage systems.

Growth of the market in South America also gained significant momentum in recent years. The market in Brazil is anticipated to expand during the forecast period owing to rising demand for tires, plastics, and rubber since the Brazilian auto industry is growing faster. Thus, the country’s expanding automotive sector is likely to be the primary driver of the market in the region. Expansion of the industrial base in Mexico, Argentina, and other countries in the region is anticipated to impact the market growth positively.

List of Key North America and South America Acetylene Black Market Companies

Strategic Planning Adopted by Companies to Strengthen Their Market Share

A few larger players dominate this market. Some of the key players in the market include companies, such as Asbury Carbons, Orion S.A., Denka Company Limited, Jiaozuo City Hexing Chemical Industry Co. Ltd, Ningxia Jinhua Chemical Co., Ltd., Tianjin Yiborui Chemical Co., Ltd., and West Chemicals Co. Major players in the market focus on enhancing their production capacity and entering into agreements with more prominent distributors in different parts of the world to sell the products.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Asbury Carbons (U.S.)


• Orion S.A. (Luxembourg)


• Denka Company Limited (Japan)


• Jiaozuo City Hexing Chemical Industry Co. Ltd. (China)


• Ningxia Jinhua Chemical Co., Ltd. (China)


• Tianjin Yiborui Chemical Co., Ltd. (China)


• West Chemicals Co. (U.S.)


• HENAN JINHE INDUSTRY CO., LTD. (China)


• Imerys (France)


• Birla Carbon (Thailand)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• May 2022- Orion Engineered Carbons announced plans to construct the only plant in the U.S. to manufacture acetylene-based conductive additives. The move will enable the company to play a critical role in the value chain for high-voltage cables, lithium-ion batteries, and other products.

REPORT COVERAGE

The research report provides a detailed analysis of the market and focuses on crucial aspects such as competitive landscape, types, applications, and countries. Also, it offers insights into market drivers, restraints, trends, and highlights vital industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses various factors contributing to the market's growth in recent years. It further includes historical data & forecasts revenue growth at regional and country levels and analyzes the industry's latest market dynamics.

Report Scope & Segmentation