Global Sulphur Pastilles Market - 2024-2031

Overview

Global Sulphur Pastilles Market reached US$ 1.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 1.9 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

Industrial processing is expected to make up a significant chunk of the global demand for sulphur pastilles during the forecast period. The extraction and refining of lithium, cobalt, copper and nickel expected to hit multi-year highs due to rapid expansion of aerospace and automotive industries.

The evolution of lithium chemistry batteries will also present new growth opportunities for the global market. Scientists are investigating the possible usage of sulphur cathodes for improved energy density and longer-lasting performance in lithium-sulphur batteries. Such batteries could become the mainstream power source for future generation of electric vehicles.

Dynamics

Growth of Global Tyre Production

The automotive industry is currently witnessing a rapid shift towards the mass adoption of electric vehicles. It has opened a major business opportunity for tyre manufacturers, since the high torque and speed of electric vehicles means faster wearing of tyres leading to shorter replacement cycles. Many tyre manufacturers have launched new lines of EV-exclusive tyres with special tread patterns and thicker materials.

Many industry analysts have forecasted annual production of 22.7 million tons in 2024, representing an increase of 3.4% from the previous year. Manufacturers are particularly focused on raising production capacity in rapidly growing markets like India and China. With many carmakers expected to fully shift towards electric vehicles by 2035, global tyre production will augment demand for sulphur pastilles during the forecast period.

Improvements in Agricultural Productivity

Recent UN data revealed that the global population reached 8 billion around December 2022. Furthermore, if current projections are to be believed, the total global population is expected to reach around 9.7 billion in 2050. A rising global population is putting pressure on governments and multilateral organizations to increase agricultural producitivity and ensure food security for the future.

The advent of modern agricultural practices have made considerable improvements to crop yields and productivity. A long-term study undertaken by UN's food and agricultural organization (FAO), has found that yields of primary food crops has increased by 52% over the past two decades spanning from 2000-2022. Sulphur pastilles are mainly used as agricultural fertilizers. As efforts to improve agricultural productivity will intensify in the future, the demand for sulphur pastilles will rise over the coming years.

Growing Concerns About Sulfur Pollution

A major concern about the usage of sulphur pastilles and other compounds is the rapidly rising rates of air pollution. Compounds like sulfur dioxide (SO2), are released into the air on the burning of sulfur compounds, which occurs when farmers burn crop fodder after using sulphur fertilizers. SO2 pollution also leads to acid rain, which severely impacts living beings. The American Lung Association states that exposure to SO2 can cause health symptoms like shortness of breath, asthma and loss of lung function after chronic exposure.

Governments are clamping down hard on industrial sulphur emissions. Furthermore, chemical manufacturers are developing a range of eco-friendly additives as a substitute to sulphur in the industrial processing of rubber. As government regulations lead to phase out of various sulphur compounds, the global market could witness potential growth challenges over the long term.

Segment Analysis

The global sulphur pastilles market is segmented based on type, process, application and region.

90% Sulphur is Expected to Have the Highest Growth Rate During the Forecast Period

Sulphur 90% is mainly being utilized to restore pH balance in alkaline soils, since slightly acidic conditions are more conducive for crop growth. Another factor is to correct soil balance which is disrupted due to excessive usage of pesticides. When crop demand exceeds natural sulphur levels in the soil, the resultant deficits can be remedied using sulphur 90% pastilles.

Rubber processing is another major application for sulphur 90%, especially for vulcanizing rubber in tyre production. As electric vehicle production rises, it is highly likely that rubber processing will overtake agriculture to garner the highest market share during the forecast period.

Geographical Penetration

The Growth of the Automotive Industry Will Propel Market Growth in Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific will garner roughly a third of the global market share. The current ongoing shift towards electric vehicles will continue to generate demand for sulphur pastilles during the forecast period. China has emerged as the largest global automotive exporter, overtaking Japan in 2023, with exports totaling nearly US$ 208 billion. With even consumer electronics companies like Xiaomi producing their own electric vehicles, it has created a rapid surge in demand for EV components and materials.

India is yet another major country in Asia-Pacific that is witnessing rapid growth of its domestic automotive industry. In 2023, India also displaced Japan to become the third largest automotive market in the world. As tyre and rubber manufacturers drive to localize production, it will continue to grow the demand for sulphur pastilles over the long term.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The pandemic marked a challenging period for the global market. The automotive industry experienced major production disruptions, which in turn reduced demand from tyre manufacturers. Furthermore, as countries increased the severity of their pandemic lockdowns, it led to labor shortages that significantly halted sulphur mining and processing.

The global market underwent a gradual recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic as major end-user industries returned to normalcy. However, some regions had weaker recovery due to the lingering effects of supply chain disruptions. At least over the short term, the recovery of the global market is likely to be challenging.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

One of the major consequences of the war in Ukraine was the disruption in the production and sales of Russian and Ukrainian fertilizer companies. The industrial assets of most Ukrainian fertilizer producers were destroyed by the war fighting. For Ukraine's agricultural sector, demand can only be fulfilled by imports from western European countries.

The economic sanctions on Russia for the war, has made it difficult to acquire sulphur pastilles as it is unable to conduct U.S. dollar transactions. Therefore, the Russian government has instituted an alternative barter arrangement, trading crude oil and other natural resources for for industrial and consumer goods.

By Type

• Sulphur 90%
• Sulphur 85%

By Process

• Prilling/Pelletizing
• Extrusion
• Others

By Application

• Agriculture
• Chemical Processing
• Rubber Processing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• In February 2023, Grupa Azoty, a Polish chemical manufacturer, established a new R&D center for conducting research into new types of biofertilizers. The research could enhance the efficiency of sulphur pastilles.
• In March 2024, researchers at University of California in San Diego, U.S. announced the development of a new sulphur iodide crystal which could help in creating the next generation of lithium sulphur batteries.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include Coogee, Swancorp, Grupa Azoty, Jordan Sulphur, American Elements, Devco Australia, Saeed Ghodran Group, Tiger-Sul Products LLC, Vasmate Sulphur Industries and Georgia Gulf Sulfur Corporation.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global sulphur pastilles market segmentation based on type, process, application and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of pouch tapes market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global sulphur pastilles market report would provide approximately 61 tables, 53 figures and 194 Pages.

Target Audience 2024

• Automotive Companies
• Fertilizer Producing Companies
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals