Imaging Chemicals Market Analysis, By Product (Imaging agents & toners, Developers, Others), By Application (Medical, Textile, Mining), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global imaging chemicals market size was estimated at USD 7,201.3 million in 2016. They are witnessing augmented demand from the medical industry owing to the rising geriatric population, increasing prevalence of cancer & brain disorders, and rapid adoption of advanced technologies in mining and textile industries.

The imaging chemicals industry is undergoing several significant transformations. The market is benefitted with rapidly advancing technologies coupled with rising demand from the medical sector. These high-performance chemicals enhance the process of imaging by providing clarity to it. They have gained utmost popularity across several application segments. Medical applications dominate the overall areas owing to higher costs of treatment.

U.S. imaging chemicals market revenue by product, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)

Key players include BASF, Vivimed Labs Ltd., Dow Chemical Company, Kao Corporation, Becton Dickinson and Company, Clariant Chemical Company, and others. The market is concentrated in nature where the major share is held with large key players. Companies have engaged in adopting several strategic initiatives including, product launches, collaborations, and agreements in order to strengthen their market presence.

Integration across the value chain is expected to be a crucial element in the upcoming years as most of the manufacturers are trying to manage costs and, therefore, backward and forward integration will be essential. Factors such as stronger manufacturer-supplier relationships and tie-ups at multiple distribution levels are expected to be critical for companies to gain a competitive advantage over the forecast period. The integration across the manufacturing of raw materials, and direct distribution reduces the cost of individual segments in the value chain and this is a key factor for the surge in profits.

The imaging chemicals industry is undergoing constant changes. The customer base is moving towards options that are eco-friendlier and do not lead to any ill-effects on health. Thus, manufacturers are focusing on product innovation and development through the incorporation of organic compounds into the final product.

Product Insights

Imaging agents dominate the overall product segment. They are expected to grow substantially over the forecast period. Their overall demand is expected to expand during upcoming years owing to high R&D investments, new product developments and expanding applications in the medical field. Their high-performance efficiency aids in attaining clarity in imaging quality. Thus, these would witness considerable demand over the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.

Developers are primarily used to attain image optimization. These black and white developers include methyl phenidone, dimezone, hydroxymethyl-methyl-phenidone, and several other antifogging agents to achieve clarity in the image processing. These are an essential component of the industry and are undergoing constant innovations by the manufacturers in order to achieve performance efficiency.

These are expected to witness the fastest growth rate over the forecast period owing to the development of organic-based color developers which are eco-friendly. Their application areas are also expanding across the medical and industrial sectors, which would supplement its demand during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025.

Application Insights

Medical application dominates the overall market in 2016. Demand from the medical sector is witnessing favorable growth owing to the rising geriatric population and rising incidences of cancer & other cardiac diseases. Moreover, rising health awareness among individuals, increasing investments by government in the development of diagnostic centers and an increase in spending capabilities has supplemented demand for imaging chemicals in the medical sector

Global imaging chemicals market revenue by application, 2016 (%)

Mining is anticipated to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period of 2017 to 2025. Mineral exploration projects are characterized by aerial and satellite imaging. These serve numerous advantages to the project. It enables the exact location of roads, inhabited areas, railway tracks, and fences which helps geologists and field crews to plan mining operations more efficiently. They also help in mapping potential access corridors for areas of exploration. Mining imaging also aids in mapping regolith systematics, vegetation cover, and outcrops for exploration blocks.

Applications areas in mining are presently adopted among high capital based projects because it requires high-end equipment and applications such as satellite and geographic information systems. However, their adoption is anticipated to expand over the forecast period owing to efficiency in performance, thus posing augmented demand for the market.

Regional Insights

North America was the leading market and accounted for around 37% of the total revenue in 2016. The presence of advanced diagnostic technologies coupled with high per capita spending capabilities is anticipated to fuel the growth over the forecast period.

The imaging chemical market of the U.S. generates significant revenue. The country is characterized by the presence of advanced technologies and highly qualified professionals who are constantly engaged in research & development.

Asia Pacific is expected to witness the fastest growth over the forecast period of 2017 to 2025. It held over 23% of the revenue share. Emerging economies in the region including India, China, and North Korea have been experiencing strong economic growth. Increasing geriatric population and increasing living standards have spurred the demand in the region. Growing disposable income is now triggering consumers to avail expensive medical facilities.

Competitive Insights

Key participants include BASF, Vivimed Labs Ltd., Dow Chemical Company, Kao Corporation, Becton Dickinson and Company, Clariant Chemical Company, and others. Companies are adopting backward and forward integration in order to increase their contribution margins and have higher bargaining power. This will intensify the competition and help in pushing the growth over the forecast period.

Research and development activities along with the increasing of the product lines owing to the addition of new products will have a major impact on the overall competitive scenario over the forecast period.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global imaging chemicals market on the basis of product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Imaging agents & toners

  • Developers

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Medical

  • Textile

  • Mining

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • The U.K.

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa