Solid Sulfur Market Size, Share, Competitive Landscape and Trend Analysis Report by Application, by End-Use Industry : Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031

Solid Sulfur Market Research, 2031

The global solid sulfur market was valued at $3.4 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $4.9 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.7% from 2022 to 2031.

Sulfur is a tenth most abundant element by mass. Solid sulfur is the most essential raw material in the chemical industry. It occurs in the three forms such as odorless, tasteless, brittle solid, and pale yellow in color. The properties of solid sulfur include poor conductor of electricity, insoluble in nature, and has great stability. The most common uses of sulfur are in the manufacturing process of sulfuric acid (H2SO4), formulation of various drugs in the pharmaceutical industry, formulation of sulfur containing fertilizer, oil refining and ore processing, and others.

Growth in population coupled with rapid urbanization has surged the growth of the construction sector in both developed and developing economies, where solid sulfurs are popularly used in construction industry as an alternative substitute over cement. In addition, sulfur act as a binding agent in its molten states and replaces conventional concrete like water and cement.  This is expected to boost the demand for solid sulfur in the growing building & construction sector. In addition, strong economic growth has surged the establishments of industries where sulfur is used in metal casting industry. This may propel the growth of the solid sulfur market The growth of the solid sulfur market is driven by rise in urbanization, an increase in disposable income, adoption of western culture, growth in demand for various clothes, and an increase in fashion consciousness among people has surged the demand for textile industry where solid sulfur acts as a dyeing agent. This is projected to propel the growth of the solid sulfur market in the textile industry.

Furthermore, growing agriculture sector has witnessed the significant demand for sulfur-based fertilizer. In response to this, sulfur-based fertilizer has potential ability to enhance the plant productivity and yield. For instance, according to data reveled by, Shell and the Sulphur Institute in the USA shown that sulfur can increase yields by 14% on average in sulfur-deficient soils. However, government of various region such as North America, Europe, Asia-pacific, and LAMEA has sets regulation on the use of sulfur at exceeded limits. This may act as one of restraining factor for the growth of market. In addition, habitual exposure to the sulfur may have adverse effect on human health. Inhalation of sulfur particles may cause lungs cancer, and other respiratory related disorders. 

The rapid increase in the population in both developed and developing economies, rise in import and export of various cosmetics and skincare products, up-gradation in technology, and increased focus on the cosmetic sector has increased the demand for solid sulfur. The solid sulfur is widely used in the cosmetic industry as an antibacterial agent for skincare products, creams, lotions, and others. These factors are anticipated to offer remunerative opportunities for the solid sulfur market during the forecast period.  

The solid sulfur market is segmented on the basis of by application, end use industry, and region. On the basis of application, the market is categorized into manufacturing of sulfuric acid (about 90% is used), synthesis of sulphonates surfactants, agrochemicals, metal extraction, oil refining, and others. On the basis of end use industry, it is divided into chemical, agriculture, rubber, pulp & paper, and others. Region-wise, the market is studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The global solid sulfur market report provides in-depth competitive analysis as well as profiles of these major players.

The Asia-Pacific solid sulfur market size is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, and accounted for a major market share in 2021 with 45% share in the global market. The utilization of solid sulfur in the sectors such as agriculture, textile, chemical manufacturing, paper, electrical, and others is the major key market trend in the Asia Pacific region. The factors such as an exponential increase in the world's population that leads to rise in demand for food and increasing its contribution to the world food trade have led to the growth of the overall agriculture sector. The solid sulfur is used as fertilizer and helps in promoting plant growth by supplying sulfur nutrient. This is anticipated to increase the potential sales of solid sulfur as a fertilizer in the agriculture sector.

In 2021, the agrochemicals application was the largest revenue generator, and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% during the forecast period. Solid sulfur finds application in agrochemicals. Sulfur containing agrochemicals can disrupt the functioning of fungi and pest owing to which it is one of the most widely used fertilizer in the agriculture industry. The sulfonylureas, sulfonamides, sulfur-containing heterocyclic, thioureas, sulfides, sulfones, sulfoxides and sulfoximines agrochemical product is used as herbicide which are added to crop protection products for enhancing the efficiency of active ingredients and improving the overall performance of agrochemicals products. These factors are expected to increase the overall market growth in the upcoming years. Moreover, an increase in the utilization of various sulfur-containing fertilizer has boosted the market growth. In addition, factors such as an increase in the population in developed and developing economies, rising demand for food across the globe, and government support and investment in the production of agrichemicals have driven market growth.

In 2021, the chemical end-use industry is anticipated to grow at highest CAGR of 4.0% in the forecast period. Chemical industry comprises of manufacturing of various chemicals where cellulose sponge plays major role of cleaning, filtration, cooling process. The market growth is driving owing to rise in chemical industries. The chemical industries are expanding their capacity to cater to the rising demand for domestics as well as at the international level. The solid sulfur is used extensively in the chemical industries especially in the petrochemical sector for formulation of hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid. Furthermore, rising industrialization, growing demand for chemicals, and government investment in chemical industry are propelling the growth of the overall chemical industry

Key Benefits For Stakeholders

• This report provides a quantitative analysis of the market segments, current trends, estimations, and dynamics of the solid sulfur market analysis from 2021 to 2031 to identify the prevailing solid sulfur market opportunities.
• The market research is offered along with information related to key drivers, restraints, and opportunities.
• Porter's five forces analysis highlights the potency of buyers and suppliers to enable stakeholders make profit-oriented business decisions and strengthen their supplier-buyer network.
• In-depth analysis of the solid sulfur market segmentation assists to determine the prevailing market opportunities.
• Major countries in each region are mapped according to their revenue contribution to the global market.
• Market player positioning facilitates benchmarking and provides a clear understanding of the present position of the market players.
• The report includes the analysis of the regional as well as global solid sulfur market trends, key players, market segments, application areas, and market growth strategies.

  Solid Sulfur Market Report Highlights

Aspects	Details
Market Size By 2031	USD 4.9 billion
Growth Rate	CAGR of 3.7%
Forecast period	2021 - 2031
Report Pages	299
By Application	Sulfuric Acid Synthesis Sulphonate Surfactants Synthesis Agrochemicals Metal Extraction Oil Refining Others
By End-Use Industry	Chemical Agriculture Rubber Pulp and Paper Others
By Region	North America  (U.S., Canada, Mexico) Europe  (Germany, UK, France, Spain, Italy, Rest of Europe) Asia-Pacific  (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific) LAMEA  (Brazil, South Africa,, Saudi Arabia, Rest of LAMEA)
Key Market Players	motiva enterprises llc, Valero Energy Corporation, ChemPoint, sinopec shanghai petrochemical co., ltd., TCI America, Georgia Gulf Sulfur Corporation, H.J. Baker, Alfa Aesar, Shell Plc., Repsol, Merck KGaA, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, Enersul Limited Partnership, kuwait petroleum corporation, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

Analyst Review

According to CXOs of leading companies, the global solid sulfur market is expected to exhibit high growth potential. Solid sulfur is a good source of antibacterial agent, due to which it finds high growth potential in skin care and cosmetics industry.  In response to this, solid sulfur is an essential source of agrochemical and various sulfur-based fertilizer is extensively used in agriculture industry for enhancing the crop productivity and yield.

In addition, solid sulfur has an excellent strength, poor conductor of electricity, insoluble in water and stability properties sue to which it is predominantly used in the manufacturing of care batteries. This will surge the demand for solid sulfur in the electrical industry.Furthermore, the antibacterial agent and non-toxic property of solid sulfur enables the consumers to use them in the form of capsules, lotions, creams, ointments, and others. Moreover, rising building and construction activity across the globe has enhanced the performance of solid sulfur where it is used as alternative substitute over cement.  The CXOs further added that sustained economic growth and the development of the agriculture and building and construction sector have surged the popularity of solid sulfur.

Author Name(s) : Chidanand Vijaykumar Bilagi | Eswara Prasad

Related Tags

• Bulk Chemicals
• Agrochemicals
• Chemical Technology
• Construction Materials