The Global Market for Elemental Sulfur is Projected to Reach 75.4 Million Metric Tons by 2020

Increasing Production of Phosphate Fertilizers Drives Demand for Elemental Sulfur, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA launches comprehensive analysis of industry segments, trends, growth drivers, market share, size and demand forecasts on the global Sulfur market. The global market for Elemental Sulfur is projected to reach 75.4 million metric tons by 2020, driven by the growing production of phosphate fertilizers, rising demand from industrial applications and lack of economically viable alternatives.

Sulfur, the non-metallic, 13^th most abundant natural element found in the earth’s crust, is an important nutrient for human beings, animals and crops. Sulfur is commonly used in manufacturing fertilizers and various chemicals, making it an integral part of the world economy. Despite abundant resources in nature, sulfur is largely produced as a byproduct of various other chemical processes, thereby leading to uncertain supply conditions. Large-scale production of sulfur is achieved through refining and processing of sour or sulfur-rich gases and oils. Sulfur recovered or mined from oil and gas production is termed as elemental sulfur or brimstone. The United States, Canada, China, the Middle East and the Former Soviet Union are the leading producers of sulfur worldwide. Of late, demand outstripped production of sulfur leading to a supply deficit in the world market and increased prices. However, prices began to stabilize during 2015, with the current and projected increase in production of sulfur in China and the Middle East expected to eliminate supply-demand deficit in the years to come.  

The global elemental sulfur market continues to witness a stable demand owing to its extensive use in a broad range of industries. Agrochemicals form the largest application for elemental sulfur worldwide. Demand for sulfur is poised to gain from healthy growth in the phosphate fertilizer market which represents an important downstream end-use segment. Elemental sulfur is also used in producing insecticides and fungicides. The broad range of sulfur fertilizers including sulfate carriers, liquid fertilizers, elemental sulfur-based carriers, and a blend of sulfate and sulfur-based carriers are expected to drive demand in the agrochemical sector. Sulfur is also an important raw material in the chemical industry where it is principally used as a derivative in a large number of industrial and chemical processes. A major portion of sulfur demand is associated with sulfuric acid manufacturing. The growth in the elemental sulfur market is also spurred by significant prospects in the petroleum refining sector, which continues to grow, led by refining capacity expansions, and growing demand for motor vehicle fuel particularly in developing countries of Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Latin America. Demand for sulfur is also driven by its use as an important ingredient in the vulcanization process employed to produce rubber. The lack of economically viable and profitable alternative to sulfur is likely to help the element in retaining its position in the market.

As stated by the new market research report on Sulfur, Asia-Pacific represents the largest market worldwide. The region also ranks as the fastest growing market with a CAGR of 5.9% over the analysis period, led by China, one of the largest producers as well as consumers of sulfur and sulfuric acid worldwide.

Major players covered in the report include Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Chemtrade Logistics, Enersul Limited, Marathon Petroleum Company LLC, National Est. For Agricultural and Industrial Sulphur, Norilsk Nickel, OAO Gazprom, Oxbow Carbon LLC, PVS Chemicals, Inc., Qatar International Petroleum Marketing Company Ltd., Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Sinopec Corp., Tengizchevroil LLP, The Saudi Arabian Oil Company and Valero Energy Corporation among others. 

The research report titled “Sulfur: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, growth drivers, company profiles, mergers and acquisitions, and other strategic industry activities of global companies. The report provides market estimates and projections in thousand metric tons for all major geographic markets, such as the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Latin America (Brazil and Rest of Latin America), Middle East and Africa. Global and regional markets for Sulfur are also analyzed by end-use applications – Agrochemicals, Petroleum Refining, Metal Mining and Others (includes Caprolactam Manufacturing, Hydrofluoric Acid Synthesis, and Pulp & Paper Manufacturing among Others).

Global Industry Analysts, Inc. 6150 Hellyer Ave., San Jose CA 95138, USA, All Rights Reserved.