The global biocides market was estimated at USD 7.99 billion in 2015. Increasing demand in industrial applications such as personal care, water treatment, paints & coatings coupled with dynamic expansion is anticipated to drive the market growth over the forecast period.
Countries such as India, Japan, and China are expected to increase adoption of water treatment process, which is expected to propel the market growth over the next eight years. Furthermore, increasing health awareness is anticipated to upsurge the clean water demand that is projected to steer industry expansion.
Growing potable water requirement in industrial and domestic applications owing to expanding population is projected to spur product demand in water treatment. Also, expanding coatings & paint industry as a consequence of rapid industrialization along with infrastructural development in developing countries is projected to drive market growth.
Food and beverage applications comprise openings, surfaces, equipment, and disinfecting pipes that come in direct contact with the manufacturing process. Food & beverage sectors growth is anticipated to have an optimistic impact on market demand over the forecast period.
Usage of biocide in excess may be harmful to living beings & their surroundings. Some region such as North America, Europe classifies biocide as a pesticide. Biocide is regulated under Directive 98/8/EC of the European Union which is also referred as “Biocidal Products Directive”.
Halogen biocides captured the largest global market demand, accounting for over 25% of the total revenue in 2015.This trend is projected to continue over the next eight years owing to easy availability of low-cost raw materials such as iodine, chlorine and bromine are projected to be one of the major driving force for the halogen biocide market.
Metallic compound biocides markets were valued over USD 1.5 billion in 2015. They have numerous applications such as disinfectants in water treatment and cooling towers plants.
Growing demand for clean water is estimated to spur metallic compounds need over the forecast period. Additionally, strict norms regarding usage of halogens are foreseen to amplify the significance of metallic compounds as an alternate in the forthcoming years.
Organosulfurs biocides accounted for over 11% of the total market share in 2015. The products possess antibacterial and antifungal properties owing to which they are commonly used in healthcare applications to inhibit microorganism growth on the metal surface or plastic. Rising needs for plastics in light of its augmented use in automotive and construction sectors are expected to boost the product demand over the forecast period.
Water treatment applications accounted for over 23.0% of global revenue in 2015. Growing need for disposal in water treatment, scaling, corrosion and microbial activity are anticipated to have an optimistic influence on the market demand.
Food and beverage application was worth USD 1.48 billion in 2015. Increasing demand to control microbial growth in drinks and food along with growing usage of preservatives in ready-to-eat food is foreseen to be the major factor for market expansion.
Global biocides market needs in personal care applications are estimated to witness significant gains at a CAGR of 5.4%. Growing applications in cosmetic products for instance shampoo, liquid soap, moisturizing cream and shower gel because of inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungus to improve shelf life is expected to push demand.
Biocide market demand in oil industry is anticipated to observe substantial growth owing to its feature to control bacteria growth to curb the formation of harmful by-products during their activity. The product has some niche applications such as steam boilers, HVAC systems and fuels are high potential areas. Increasing energy demands coupled with increasing consumer awareness toward adverse effects of germ-filled air on the human respiratory system is projected to boost the market demand.
North America biocides industry accounted for over 40% of overall revenue share in 2015. Infrastructural and building development in the region has resulted in an augmented need for paints & coatings in commercial and residential applications which are anticipated to propel the overall demand.
Asia Pacific market may observe substantial growth over the forthcoming years and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR exceeding over 6% from 2016 to 2024. China and India biocides market is projected to witness a healthy growth. Growing healthcare investment due to low-cost medical facilities and technological advancement are anticipated to spur the phenolics demand in the region.
Global biocides market share is reasonably concentrated with the top three participants accounting for over 45% of the overall demand in 2015. Arch Chemicals was one of the dominant players, with accounting over 15% share in 2015.
The other prominent vendors are Clariant, ISP, Lubrizol, Dow Microbial Control, BASF, Troy Corporation, Lanxess and Thor Specialties.
Companies require a substantial amount of investment at the start-up stage owing to strict government norms regarding labeling and testing of these products after and before placing it on the market, which is projected to obstruct entry of new companies over the next eight years.
Lanxess AG announced the acquisition of Syngenta owing to enhance their production capacity in May 2011. They even acquired an American specialty chemicals company named Verichem.
