Jan 24 2011
Worldwide consumption of hydrogen peroxide increased considerably in the recent years due to growth in paper and pulp industry, specifically in Southeast Asia, China, and Latin America.
However, the market growth was hampered by the global economic recession, which resulted in a decline in consumption in 2009. Nevertheless, the market recovered considerably in 2010, with demand increasing in almost all the regional markets. Environmental laws and regulations have time and again played a vital role in popularizing the use of hydrogen peroxide over other chemicals, by virtue of the chemical being emission-free and eco-friendly in nature. For instance, bleaching, the major end-use of hydrogen peroxide, was often associated with hazardous emissions and effluents that altered the safety of environment, owing to the use of halogenated bleaching agents that emitted toxic gases and harmful effluents into the nature. As a result, TCF (Total Chlorine Free) bleaching agents such as ozone and hydrogen peroxide garnered prominence in the market. Hydrogen peroxide is currently being preferred widely in pollution control and water treatment applications, and as a bleaching and neutralizing agent. Increased environmental pressure, particularly in North America and Western Europe, continue to drive demand for hydrogen peroxide in applications such as pulp bleaching, treating process streams, and remediating contaminated soil and water.
Pulp & paper industry represents the largest end-use segment of hydrogen peroxide, accounting for a major share of the total market. In the coming years, electronics, mining industry, disinfection, and water treatment are likely to emerge as the potential end-use markets for hydrogen peroxide consumption. However, paper and pulp would continue to contribute to the growth of Hydrogen Peroxide in future. In addition, increasing use of Hydrogen Peroxide to Propylene Oxide (HPPO) process in the production of Propylene Oxide is expected to fuel the demand for hydrogen peroxide in the coming years. HPPO technology, developed and commercialized jointly by BASF and Dow, utilizes large quantities of hydrogen peroxide for the production of propylene oxide without the release of any by-products in the process.
Asia-Pacific represents the largest regional market for hydrogen peroxide worldwide, as stated by the new market research report on Hydrogen Peroxide. Europe and North America trails behind Asia-Pacific. Future growth in the market would be driven by regional markets such as Latin America and Asia-Pacific. The Asian market is witnessing strong growth, particularly due to growing demand for hydrogen peroxide in China. The growth in the Chinese hydrogen peroxide market can be tied up to bleach substitution that has been going on. Other factors include growth of end-use markets, such as pulp and paper, textiles, and chemical synthesis. Increase in hydrogen peroxide demand in European market is likely to continue in the ensuing years. Further growth is expected in coming years from the increasing demand for Propylene Oxide (PO), which is produced from H2O2. Pulp & Paper industry represents the largest end-use sector for hydrogen peroxide worldwide. However, textiles industry is projected to emerge as the fastest growing end-use sector for hydrogen peroxide through the analysis period.
Major players profiled in the report include Arkema Group, BASF SE, Chang Chun Petrochemical Co., Ltd., OCI Company Ltd., Dow Chemical, Evonik Degussa GmbH, Guangdong Zhongcheng Chemicals Inc. Ltd., Nippon Peroxide Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Gas Chemicals Co. Inc., and Solvay SA.
The research report titled “Hydrogen Peroxide: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of the hydrogen peroxide markets, impact of the recession on the market, current market trends, key growth drivers, recent product introductions, recent industry activity, and profiles of major/niche global as well as regional market participants. The report provides annual sales estimates and projections for hydrogen peroxide market for the years 2007 through 2015 for the following geographic markets - US, Canada, Japan, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Rest of World. Key end-use markets analyzed in the report include Pulp & Paper, Textiles, Environmental, Chemical Synthesis, and Others. Also, a seven-year (2000-2006) historic analysis is provided for additional perspective.