The worldwide magnesium hydroxide market is estimated to be USD 1,421.6 million in 2024. Displaying a CAGR of 6.2% through 2034, the sector is slated to be worth USD 2,601.8 million by the end of the forecast period.
The primary function of magnesium hydroxide in the market is its use in antacids. With eating habits around the world going through a drastic change, more problems related to indigestion are plaguing people. As such, sales of antacids are predicted to cross USD 11,000 million by 2033. Thus, the industry is moving forward with the greater demand for antacids.
In addition to indigestion, a myriad of stomach issues are affecting the global population. Milk of magnesia, as a concoction of magnesium hydroxide is popularly known, is being used to treat stomach pains of all kinds. Another way the product helps with stomach issues is through the medium of laxatives, increasing the water content and softening feces.
According to the American Gastroenterological Association, 16 out of 100 adults in the United States have symptoms of constipation. This number more than doubles when it comes to persons aged 60 and above, with 33 out of 100 affected. Thus, increased laxative sale is seeing the industry become flush with opportunities.
Wastewater treatment is a pivotal concern for factories. With regulations increasing on the proper disposal and treatment of wastewater, magnesium hydroxide is being called upon to treat industrial acidic wastewater to a higher degree. The product’s usage in wastewater offers several benefits, among them being pH control and filtering out suspended solids. As schemes to deal with industrial wastewater increase, the sector is set to benefit.
The material is also used to build artificial reefs. With reefs degrading at an alarming rate, the building of artificial reefs is receiving greater support, with magnesium hydroxide being used in the Biorock method. Governmental support is also seeing the number of artificial reefs swell up.
The Australian government is one of the premier leaders in restoring reefs. Australia is recognized for its coral reefs and projects like the New South Wales Department of Primary Industries are helping build artificial reefs, inadvertently helping the magnesium hydroxide industry.
Global Magnesium Hydroxide Industry Assessment
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Global Magnesium Hydroxide Market Size (2024E) | USD 1,421.6 million |
| Projected Global Magnesium Hydroxide Market Value (2034F) | USD 2,601.8 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 6.2% |
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An examination of the global magnesium hydroxide market is done with respect to several semi-annual periods. These periods are the adjacent 2023 to 2033 and 2024 to 2034 periods. For the 2023 to 2033 period, it is clear that the second half (H2) is set to be more beneficial than the first half (H1).
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 12% (2023 to 2033) |
| H2 | 12.1% (2023 to 2033) |
| H1 | 12.2% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 12.4% (2024 to 2034) |
In the second period also it is observed that progress in H2 will exceed H1. Thus, the rate of progression is set to be faster in the second half of both semi-annual periods.
Use as Flame Retardant Additive Adds to Growth Prospects
The material’s property as a flame retardant sees demand in industrial applications increase. Moreover, the environmentally friendly nature of the product helps in its adoption by factories that are looking to adhere to environmental principles. Thus, companies like Huber are seeing increasing demand for magnesium hydroxide additives in flame-controlling applications.
Use for Conservation of Art Opening Up New Avenues for Progress
An emerging application of the material is its use in restoring or conserving art. The use of the product for this purpose is still in its nascent stages, with tests being conducted to determine the viability of the material in conserving paper, wood, and other artifacts. Greater research and development in this regard is set to raise the profile of the material in the arts sector.
Initiatives like the Tata Trusts Art Conservation Initiative in India are bringing the focus to restoring art. Similarly, governments all over the world are also looking to step up their art conservation efforts. For example, the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Economy of France joined hands to promote arts and crafts in 2023. The scheme involves the injection of about USD 370 million towards the purpose of promoting and conserving art.
Side Effects and Availability of Alternatives to Restrict Growth
An excess of magnesium hydroxide has the ability to lead to diarrhea. Thus, doctors advise the use of laxatives made from the material only in moderation. Another side effect associated with the material is muscle cramps. These side effects serve to limit the growth potential of the material.
Numerous alternatives are available for the various applications of the product. Aluminum hydroxide complements the material in various products but can also replace it in various applications. Caustic soda is also a significant alternative in neutralizing systems.
Principal Consultant
The industry size was tipped to be USD 1,220.7 million in 2019. Throughout the historical period, the industry grew at a CAGR of 2.6%, reaching a size of USD 1,350.9 million in 2023.
The pandemic was a testing time for the magnesium hydroxide sector. While sales of medicine such as antacids and laxatives climbed, supply chain disruptions led to uncertainty. Food became an even more integral part of people’s lives during the pandemic but that also brought with it stomach problems. The industry benefited from greater recourse to antacids and laxatives. However, the shutting down of factories and industrial routes impacted the sector negatively.
The progress of the industry in the forecast period is set to be significantly higher than in the historical period. A prominent factor for the growth of the industry over the forecast period is the catapulting of the steel sector to new heights. It is estimated that by 2033, the value of the steel sector is set to cross USD 2,900 billion. Magnesium hydroxide is used significantly to provide anti-corrosion capabilities to steel. Thus, the growing steel sector is set to benefit the industry going forward.
Tier-1 manufacturers account for around 50-55% of the overall revenue in the market with a product revenue of more than USD 40 million.
Tier-1 manufacturers include Israel Chemicals Ltd., Ube Industries Ltd., Martin Marietta Materials Inc., Huber Engineered Materials, Tateho Chemical Industries Co., Ltd., Lehmann & Voss & CO. KG, Kaustik China Co., Ltd., and Caesar & Loretz GmbH. Tier-2 and other manufacturers such as Kisuma Chemicals, Nabaltec AG, Tomita Pharmaceutical, Konoshima Chemicals Co. Ltd., and other players are projected to account for 40-45% of the overall market with the estimated revenue under the range of USD 40 million.
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In terms of form, powder is the leader by a significant margin. Industrial/technical grade takes the top spot in terms of grade. Indirect sales are the most common sales avenue. The product is most prominently used for environmental protection.
| Segment | Powder (Form) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 78.9% |
Powder is estimated to account for 78.9% of the industry share in 2024. By 2034, powder form’s share is expected to have marginally decreased to 78.2% and its value is expected to become USD 2,034.9 million. The CAGR for the segment throughout the projected period is pegged to be 6.1%.
The dominant form of magnesium hydroxide is the powder form, primarily for its flexibility and convenience in a variety of applications. In its finely powdered form, the product can be mixed and processed quite easily, making it suitable for several industries involving not only plastics but also pharmaceuticals and environmental applications. The powder form makes dispersion and uniformity better in the formulas and increases its effectiveness as a flame retardant, pH regulator, and antacid.
In addition, the powder is cheaper to move and store compared to liquid forms that are normally bulkier and require special handling. The requirement for environment-friendly and non-toxic alternatives is increasing in industrial processes. Powdered magnesium hydroxide is also preferred more than any other chemical compound due to it being a safer substitute.
| Segment | Indirect Sales (Sales Channel) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 75.1% |
Indirect sales are anticipated to account for 75.1% of the industry share in 2024. By the time 2034 rolls around, its share will have decreased substantially to 71.3%, sustaining a CAGR of 6.2% in the ten-year period. The segment’s value in 2034 is anticipated to total USD 898.1 million.
Indirect sales in the magnesium hydroxide market are dominating because of a few strategic advantages. Most producers prefer to sell through distributors and agents. This gives the companies the advantage of using established outlets and expertise built over many years through the relationships maintained by distributors.
Indirect sales provide geographic market diversification, which enhances penetration and responsiveness to local demand. Besides providing technical support and logistics management services to add value, distributors increase customer satisfaction while making the purchasing process more efficient. In this respect, the increasing dependence on indirect sales has proved to be a pragmatic strategy for firms to expand their operations in the magnesium hydroxide business.
Some of the highest CAGRs for the industry are in the Asia Pacific region. China and India are noteworthy proponents of the material and the sector has a bright future in these nations.
| Countries | CAGR (2024 to 2034) |
|---|---|
| India | 6.4% |
| United States | 6% |
| Russia | 4.9% |
| China | 6.9% |
| Germany | 4.6% |
The industry is penned in to progress at a CAGR of 6% in the United States. The value of the industry in 2024 for the United States is suggested to be USD 203.3 million, for a share of 75.2% of the North American sector.
Obesity is a prime concern in the United States. The expanding obesity problem has also led to an increase in constipation problems in the country. It is claimed that about 2 percent of the United States’ population suffers from constipation. Thus, laxative sales in the country are shooting up, benefitting the target industry too.
The industry in India is expected to forge ahead with a CAGR of 6.4% through the forecast period. The value of the industry in India for 2024 is estimated to be USD 201.7 million, with a share of 66.6% in the South Asia and Pacific region.
The magnesium hydroxide market in India is gaining pace due to growth in industrial applications, and a growing need for alternatives that are more environmentally friendly. Magnesium hydroxide is in great demand as a flame retardant, pH regulator, and neutralizing agent for growth in various industries such as plastics, pharmaceuticals, and wastewater treatment. Apart from this, emphasis on infrastructure and manufacturing under India's "Make in India" initiative is showing promise.
In addition to this, the increased demand for using environment-friendly materials has added momentum to the demand. This combination of industrial growth, regulatory support, and environmental consideration is fostering favorable conditions in the Indian magnesium hydroxide market.
The sector in China is anticipated to book a CAGR of 6.9% over the next ten years. The value of the sector in China for 2024 is estimated to be USD 352.2 million and its share in the East Asia region is highlighted to be 80.2%.
The industry is set to be propagated through China’s notable steel production. The country is renowned for being the biggest steel producer in the world and China was claimed to have 1.173 billion tons of steel in 2023. This broad steel production is indicative of the overall positive trend in the Chinese manufacturing sector, portending good things for the target industry.
The magnesium hydroxide market is a fairly fragmented one with a small number of players holding the majority of shares. Key market participants account for about 50-55% of the share.
Key Industrial Developments
Based on the form, the magnesium hydroxide market can be divided into the following segments: powder, viscous paste, and pumpable/dry gels.
Based on the grade, the magnesium hydroxide market can be divided into the following segments: food & pharma and industrial/technical. Both segments can be further subdivided into 5% to 99% and more than 99%.
Based on the sales channel, the magnesium hydroxide market can be divided into the following segments: direct sales and indirect sales.
Based on the application, the magnesium hydroxide market can be divided into the following segments: environmental protection, chemicals & petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, plastic & polymers, agriculture, construction, cosmetics & personal care, and food additives.
The environmental protection segment can be further subdivided into Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD), wastewater treatment, and soil remediation and the chemicals & petrochemicals segment can be further subdivided into flame retardants and chemical processing. Meanwhile, the pharmaceuticals segment can be subdivided into antacids, laxatives, and dental products and the agriculture segment can be subdivided into fertilizers and animal feed.
The sector has been analyzed with the following regions covered: North America, Latin America, Europe, South Asia, East Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East and Africa.
The sector is sized at USD 1,421.6 million in 2024.
A CAGR of 6.2% is predicted over the forecast period.
The market is forecasted to reach USD 2,601.8 million by 2034.
Xinyang Mineral Group and Premier Magnesia, LLC are key companies in the industry.
In the United States, the market is penned in to progress at a CAGR of 6% over the next ten years.
Powder is set to dominate, with an expected share of 78.9% in 2024.
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Magnesium Hydroxide Market
