Elemental Sulfur Market

Elemental Sulfur Market Size Analysis

According to a recent survey conducted by ChemView Consulting, the Global Elemental Sulfur Market grew at a CAGR of 2.9% between 2017-2021 and is estimated to be US$ 5,743.9Mn in 2022. Currently, the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% and is expected to reach a valuation of US$ 8,584.5Mn by 2032 end.

Sulfur is a common ingredient in black gunpowder, fungicides for use in agriculture, and the vulcanization of black rubber. Elemental sulfur is used more frequently to make sulphuric acid in the chemical and petroleum refining industries. In addition, it produces phosphoric acids, which are used to create phosphates for fertilizers.

As a result, the market for elemental sulfur will continue to be primarily driven by application across various industries. To quickly identify gas leaks, mercaptans, which are present in elemental sulfur, are added to natural gas sources. This factor encourages its applications even more in the oil and gas industry. In packaged food goods, sulfites from elemental sulfur are used as preservatives.

Market Dynamic

INCREASING APPLICATIONS OF FERTILIZERS DRIVE THE ELEMENTAL SULPHUR MARKET

Demand for efficient fertilizers to boost crop productivity and product quality is rising as food production increases globally. Farmers in the agricultural industry are becoming aware of the requirement for sufficient plant nourishment. As a result, fertilizer sales are increasing, which is anticipated to fuel the growth of the elemental sulfur market.

One of the 17 nutrients plants require to flourish is sulfur. However, a steady sulfur supply is necessary for crop maturity because it is immobile inside the plant. Reduced yields can occur when crops lack sulfur at any stage of growth.

The increase in the cultivation of crops that consume a lot of sulfur, including canola and alfalfa, causes the amount of organic sulfur in soil to decrease gradually. Oil synthesis is encouraged by sulfur in fertilizers, which is essential for oilseeds. It effectively stimulates protein synthesis while activating the enzymes needed for photosynthesis and metabolic processes. Plants that produce more protein and oil have better cereal quality for baking and milling, and forages have higher nutritional value.

HIGH COSTS MAY HAMPER THE GLOBAL ELEMENTAL SULFUR MARKET

High mining costs and stringent government regulations regarding sulfur use may hamper the global market for elemental sulfur.

RUBBER AND PLASTICS INDUSTRY PROPELLING DEMAND FOR ELEMENTAL SULPHUR

The rubber and plastics industries rely heavily on the sulfur vulcanization process. Vehicle tires, water hoses, electronic wires, conveyor belts, and shoe bottoms are a few items made from vulcanized rubber.

One of the biggest consumers of natural and synthetic rubber is the automotive industry, which uses it for tires and other parts like wires and cables used in engines. The electronics industry’s expanding use of vulcanized rubber is also anticipated to boost elemental sulfur sales. Thus, rising consumer electronics, wire, and cable sales will keep driving up demand for elemental sulfur.

Market Segments Covered in Report

By Application:

• Agrochemicals
• Chemical & Petroleum Refining
• Rubber & Plastics
• Mining & Metallurgy
• Paper & Pulp

By Source:

• Gas-Based
• Oil-Based
• Mining

By Region and Country:

• North America (U.S., Canada)
• Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, Rest of Latin America)
• Europe (Germany, Italy, France, UK, Spain, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, South Korea, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia & New Zealand, Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Middle East (Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE, Rest of Middle East)
• Africa (South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Rest of Africa)

Segment-Wise Analysis

Which is the preferred source of elemental sulfur?

Depending on the source, it is anticipated that demand for gas-based elemental sulphur will increase over the assessment period. In the global market for elemental sulfur, natural gas reservoirs with high sulfur concentrations are becoming more popular sources.

Sulfur dioxide is produced industrially by burning off air or oxygen in sulfur or other sulfur compounds, such as those found in iron and copper pyrite, which are found in volcanic gases and warm water springs. The burning of fuels containing sulfur produces significant amounts of sulfur dioxide.

Most firms now extract elemental sulfur using this technique. Throughout the assessment period, this is anticipated to increase sales of gas-based elemental sulfur.

Which is the leading application of elemental sulfur?

As it relates to the application, sales of elemental sulfur are predicted to increase in the agrochemicals market. Sales of elemental sulfur are anticipated to rise as agrochemicals, particularly phosphate fertilizers, embrace it more widely.

The benefits of the elemental sulfur found in fertilizers are numerous. It improves the formulations of chlorophyll, which boosts plant photosynthesis. The building blocks of protein, methionine, cystine, and cysteine, are present. Combining these nutrients may increase crop yields and product quality, driving demand for elemental sulfur in the agrochemicals market.

Region-Wise Analysis

The regions analyzed for the market include North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa.

• On account of increased acceptance throughout the agricultural and rubber & petroleum refining sectors, Asia Pacific is anticipated to acquire a considerable proportion of the elemental sulfur market, amounting to 57.1%. China is expected to see rising product demand due to the higher application scope in fertilizer manufacturing. The expansion of mining operations, particularly in emerging economies, will also impact how the market develops.
• With greater market penetration in the production of inorganic fertilizers, market compensation in North America will increase. The strong presence of supportive government policies and the expanding technological developments in the mining sector across the United States will also increase product demand.

Competition Analysis

Leading companies in the market for elemental sulfur are concentrating on mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships to expand their reach internationally. Players are also engaging in partnerships and acquisitions to increase their production capabilities and meet the rising demand for elemental sulfur from various industries.

The key developments in the Global Elemental Sulfur Market:

• In June 2021, Northern Nutrients intended to construct a brand-new facility to use Shell Thiogro technology to produce improved urea fertilizer utilizing elemental sulfur. When it becomes operational in 2022, this production plant will enable the corporation to manufacture its brand of basic sulfur urea fertilizer in Canada.

A list of some of the key suppliers present in the market are:

• The Saudi Arabian Oil Company
• Marathon Petroleum Corporation
• Exxon Mobile Corporation
• Tengizchevroil
• Valero Energy Corporation
• Sinopec Corp.
• Royal Dutch Shell Plc.
• Pemex
• OAO Gazprom
• Abu Dhabi National Oil Company
• Motiva Enterprises LLC
• ConocoPhillips Company
• Oxbow Corporation
• PotashCorp
• Suncor Energy Inc.

Report Coverage and Highlights

• Our comprehensive, data-backed, and facts-oriented report provides niche and cross-sectional analysis at global and country levels.
• Assessment of the historical (actual data) and current market size (2017-2021), market projections (2022-2032), and CAGR.
• The market assessment across North America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.
• Competitive tactical intelligence, key strategies adopted by top players, production capacity and company shares analysis, product brand surveys, and export-import analysis
• Pricing analysis to set and benchmark your current or future offerings across each product type helps you understand whether your pricing strategy is aligned with market expectations and can be compared to market disruptions.
• Predictions on critical supply and demand trends and technological expertise needed to address operations scalability.
• Consumer behavior shifts and their implications for players, list of end-users, and their consumption analysis.
• Key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and emerging trends impacting the market growth.
• Value chain analysis (list of manufacturers, distributors, end-users, and average profitability margins).
• Strategic market analysis, recommendations, and future headways on crucial winning strategies.