Anhydrous Aluminum Chloride Market size is forecast to reach $1.3 billion by 2025, after growing at a CAGR of 4.5% during 2020-2025. Anhydrous aluminium chloride is an odorless, white or pale yellow crystalline solid material that violently liberates hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas when reacts with water. Increasing usage of anhydrous aluminium chloride as catalyst in various end users such as pharmaceuticals and chemical manufacturing industry is driving the growth of anhydrous aluminium chloride market share. They are also used for the production of hydrocarbon resin. Surging demand of anhydrous aluminium chloride from agrochemical industry for manufacturing herbicides and insecticides are also boosting the growth of market. However, exposure to anhydrous aluminium chloride may cause severe problems including irritation and skin infections which in turn hampers the growth of market.
Key Takeaways
- Due to the well-established pharmaceuticals companies and heavy expenditure of government in health care has increased the demand of anhydrous aluminium chloride market in the United States. The U.S. health care spending grew by 4.6 percent in 2018, reaching $3.6 trillion.
- Restrictions on the use of anhydrous aluminium chloride in antiperspirants is hampering the growth of anhydrous aluminium chloride market. For instance, Switcher land has banned the use of antiperspirants that contains aluminium salts because it can cause breast cancer.
Form - Segment Analysis
Granule segment dominated the anhydrous aluminium chloride market with a share of more than 50% in 2019. Granular form of anhydrous aluminium chloride is preferred owing to uses as a catalyst across various applications such as pesticides, reforming hydrocarbons, and cosmetics. Granule anhydrous aluminium chloride is a powerful Lewis acid which is capable of forming Lewis base adducts even with weak bases such as benzophenone and mesitylene. It is used as primary catalyst for Friedel-Crafts reactions (Alkylation and Acylation) and are also used in polymerization and isomerization of hydrocarbons for example ethyl benzene which used in styrene.
Packaging Type-Segment Analysis
The bag segment holds the largest share of more than 35% in the anhydrous aluminium chloride market in 2019. Anhydrous aluminium chloride is highly reactive and generates large amount of heat when comes in contact with water. Due to its large demand from agriculture, petrochemical and paint and dye industries, they are mostly transported as granules via seaports in bags. Bags are cost efficient and are environmentally friendly as compared to high density polyethylene (HDPE) drums. Bags are coated with aluminium from outside and double plastic from inside. Also, the regulations of International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code lay down principles for transporting anhydrous aluminium chloride.
Application – Segment Analysis
Dyes & pigment segment holds the largest share of more than 25% in the anhydrous aluminium chloride market in 2019. Increase in demand of dyes and pigments from construction, automotive and textile industries for painting, coating and varnishing purposes is boosting the growth of anhydrous aluminium chloride market. Anhydrous aluminium chloride is useful in production of CPC green and blue anthraquinone which is the precursor for dyestuffs and acts as catalyst to drive major dye & pigment intermediates. According to Oxford economics, global construction market will grow by 85% to $15.5 trillion worldwide by 2030 and three countries, India, China and the U.S accounts for 57% of the global growth. Thus, expansion of construction industry also increases the use of anhydrous aluminium chloride in dyes and pigments.
COVID-19 has badly impacted the anhydrous aluminium chloride market. The lack of man power owing to the global lockdown and disruption in the global supply network, many manufacturing companies have stopped their production which further results in their downfall. Construction, automotive, and textile industries are facing huge losses, thus affecting the demand of anhydrous aluminium chloride market in dyes and pigments.
Geography - Segment Analysis
Asia Pacific has dominated the anhydrous aluminium chloride market with a share of more than 35% in 2019 followed by North America and Europe. The population growth coupled with rapid industrialization is driving the growth of anhydrous aluminium chloride market in developing nations. Asia Pacific is the largest exporter of anhydrous aluminium chloride. According to the trade map, 408,430 tons of aluminium chloride were exported in 2019 worldwide, whereas 95,023 tons were exported only by India and China. Increase in purchasing power and high standard of living has also boosted the construction activities across the region, which in turn increases the usage of aluminium chloride for dyes and paints. According to Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, 53.2% of total pesticides were used in Asia in 2017. Thus, excessive use of pesticides in countries like India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. also aids the growth of anhydrous aluminium chloride market.
Drivers – Anhydrous Aluminium Chloride Market
- Growing demand from pharmaceuticals industries
Anhydrous aluminium chloride is an intermediate in manufacturing of various pharmaceuticals including Ibuprofen (analgesic) which is used for treating pain, fever and inflammation. Changing lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits has increased the number of unhealthy people which in turn escalated the use of anhydrous aluminium chloride in pharmaceuticals industries. Rising health concerns among people in the U.S and increase in pharmaceuticals spending are driving the growth of anhydrous aluminium chloride market. According to National Health Expenditure Accounts (NHEA) the U.S. health care spending grew 4.6 percent in 2018, reaching $3.6 trillion or $11,172 per person. Thus, continuous spending in pharmaceutical sector is likely to aid the growth of anhydrous aluminium chloride market. Additionally, increasing coronavirus cases is also boosting the growth of anhydrous aluminium chloride market as one of the major symptoms of COVID-19 is fever and body pain and anhydrous aluminium chloride-based drugs are used to curb it. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), COVID-19 confirmed cases reached 4,904,413 on 21 May 2020, globally.
- Increasing usage of anhydrous aluminium chloride in cosmetics and petrochemical
Aluminium anhydrous chloride are used in personal care and beauty products for synthesizing perfumes and deodorants. Prompt changes in the lifestyle of people are likely to fuel the growth of the cosmetic industry during the forecast period. According to India Brand Equity Foundation, India's beauty, cosmetic and grooming market accounted for $6.5 billion in 2016 and is expected to reach $ 20 billion by 2025, substantially augmenting the growth of anhydrous aluminium chloride market. Furthermore, its application in petrochemical industries for the production of hydrocarbon resins also boosts the market. According to the government report, production of major chemicals and petrochemicals grew by 4.18% over 2017-18 and stood at 27,858 MT during 2018-19, subsequently boosted the use of anhydrous aluminium chloride for resin production.
Challenges – Anhydrous Aluminium Chloride Market
- Harmful effects on human health and corrosive behavior of AlCl3
Anhydrous aluminium chloride is hygroscopic which reacts violently with water and generates excess of heat and hydrochloric acid fumes. Exposure to hydrochloric fumes cause adverse effects including irritation of eyes, respiratory problems, skin disorders and asthma. Additionally, the need to store anhydrous aluminium chloride in cool and dry places due to its flammable behavior acts as a restraint for the growth of market. Also, anhydrous aluminium chloride being strong Lewis acid corrodes most of the transition metals, making its transportation process difficult. According to Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), waste containing Aluminum chloride may be characterized as hazardous.
Market Landscape
Technology launches, acquisitions and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the anhydrous aluminium chloride market report. In 2019, the market of anhydrous aluminium chloride top 10 companies accounting for xx% of the share. Major players in the anhydrous aluminium chloride market industry outlook are Gulbrandsen Chemicals Inc, Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Limited, BASF SE, Aditya Birla Chemicals, Kemira Oyj, Nippon Light Metal Company Ltd., Nippon Soda Co., Ltd., Dongying Kunbao Chemical Co. Ltd., Kanto Denka Kogyo Co. Ltd., Base Metal Chemicals, among others.
Acquisitions/Technology Launches
- In March 2020, Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals has expanded the Anhydrous Aluminium Chloride (AAC) plant at Dahej in Gujarat. It has added 16,500 metric tons/year capacity of anhydrous aluminium chloride, at the cost of $4.6 million.
- In August 2017, DCM Shriram Industries has invested in the project that would produce 60 TDP of anhydrous aluminium chloride at Baruch, India. Additionally, company increased production capacity for strengthen its chlor-alkali business.
