Roskill - Expanding The World's Knowledge of Metals and Minerals Markets
Table of Contents
- 1. Summary
- 2. Introduction
- 3. Production of natural zeolites
- 4. Natural zeolite resources and production
- 5. Consumption of natural zeolites
- 6. End-uses of natural zeolites
- 7. Synthetic zeolites
- 8. Production of synthetic zeolites by country and company
- 9. Consumption of synthetic zeolites
- 10. Trade and prices
This is an abridged table of contents. Click here for the full table of contents.
Zeolites
Output well below capacity due to static demand
Almost all zeolite manufacturers in the detergents and catalyst industries are believed to be presently operating at well below plant design capacity. Average utilization worldwide for both sectors is thought to be around 60% of capacity, although there is considerable regional variation. However, the position is better in the molecular sieve sector where production levels are close to capacity. In the detergent sector, Zeolite A competes with STPP, which contains phosphates. As new bans on phosphate use seem unlikely, at least in Europe and North America, the consumption of zeolites in detergents is likely to remain static for the immediate future. The problems in the detergent sector were illustrated by Degussa-Hlsa decision to pull out of the zeolites business entirely in 2001, owing to oversupply and competition from new entrants. With an annual production capacity of over 215,000t, it had been one of the three largest producers in the world.Worldwide demand for natural zeolites has remained fairly static over the last four years, increasing by around 1% per year and remaining in line with production levels. The greatest future market potential in tonnage terms must be in any growing use of zeolitic pozzolans as partial or complete replacement for Portland cement.
- Independent, in-depth research and analysis
- Essential market intelligence for successful business planning
- Detailed survey of production in 34 countries
- Up-to-date profiles of over 80 producing and processing companies and their activities, including Albemarle Corp.; Enichem; Henkel KgaA; Mizusawa Industrial Chemical; PQ Corp. and W.R Grace and Co.
- Forecasts for end-use consumption and world supply and demand
Report highlights
China is the giant of natural zeolites production with an estimated output of 2.5Mpta or 65% of world output. Most of this tonnage is believed to be low-grade material used as a pozzolan cement additive. Cuba accounts for a further 15% of the worldas production. Other significant producers include Germany, Japan and South Korea.
The petroleum industry is the most important consumer of zeolite-based catalysts. Zeolite catalysts are used in two particular oil refining technologies, fluidised bed catalytic cracking and hydrocracking. The use of these technologies is expected to grow strongly in the coming years.
The molecular sieve manufacturing sector has suffered recent contraction as a result of oversupply and falling zeolite prices. However, demand for zeolites in desiccant applications in double-glazing units is strong, and now accounts for 30% of the molecular sieve market. Other potential growth areas in the sector include pressure swing absorption processes for the mass separation of air into oxygen and nitrogen, and in air conditioning.
Of the 1.39Mt of synthetic zeolite consumed in 2000, European countries accounted for approximately 540,000t, North America for a further 485,000t and Asia for 315,000t. Demand outside these areas is relatively small.
Buy This Report Now
The Economics of Zeolites, 6th edition published 01/04/2003
147 pages, 60 tables and 13 figures.
ISBN 0 86214 875 8
Complete report price:
GBP 1800
EUR 3150
USD 3600
plus postage/packing.