Ammonium Sulfate Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Solid, Liquid), By Application (Fertilizers, Pharmaceuticals, Food And Feed Additives, Water Treatment), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global ammonium sulfate market size was valued at USD 2.81 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2022 to 2030. The market growth can be attributed to the increased demand for ammonium sulfate in formulating nitrogenous fertilizers, which are extensively used in the agricultural sector. The market is highly driven by the consumption of solid ammonium sulfate. However, demand for water treatment is anticipated to drive the demand for its liquid counterpart.

The key factor driving the global market is the consumption of products in fertilizers as the chemical contains nitrogen and sulfur. It is mainly used for reducing the acidity of alkaline soils as they have a high pH level. The product contains nitrogenous elements, along with sulfur, which is used for protein synthesis in plants. The product is also largely preferred for flooded soils used in rice cultivation as nitrate-based fertilizers are a poor choice as they could lead to denitrification and leaching.

Ammonium sulfate is typically an inorganic water-soluble salt, which comprises sulfur and nitrogen. The composition is formulated for extensive use in the agricultural sector as a fertilizer. The substance has a high nitrogen content and is, therefore, the most commonly utilized supplement for nitrogen-deficit lawns and soil. Furthermore, the product has the ability to be easily mixed with nitrogen fertilizers and thereby providing enhanced stability and functionality to the fertilizer.

Ammonium sulfate is mainly produced as a byproduct of caprolactam and coke oven processes. Caprolactam is widely used for the manufacturing of nylon fibers. Nylon fibers have a wide range of applications including textiles, carpets, industrial yarn, and fishing lines and nets. The rise in demand for nylon fibers has therefore resulted in the growth in caprolactam manufacturing, subsequently leading to an increase in the supply of products globally. However, the consumption of the product is estimated to register a slow growth rate over the forecast period, causing an oversupply in the marketplace. This factor has reduced the price of the product.

The key benefits offered by these fertilizers include waster solubility, easy blending abilities with nitrogenous fertilizers, the elevation of soil acidity, optimized sulfur and nitrogen content in the applied soil, and the nourishment of alkaline soils. These properties ensure high plant growth, and the product is, therefore, widely accepted by the global farming communities. With the rising competition globally, in terms of product development by key multinationals, the market is projected to witness steady growth over the coming years.

Ammonium sulfate is considered to be toxic to human health. Exposure to the product at the production site, processing, and transportation could cause severe respiratory route infection due to the inhalation of aqueous aerosols and dust. Prolonged skin contact might cause dermatitis, permanent eye damage, and lung damage. Such factors are anticipated to hinder market growth.

Product Insights

The solid segment dominated the market with a revenue share of over 90.0% in 2021. This is attributed to an increase in demand for the solid segment. Ammonium sulfate is commonly identified as an organic sulfate salt, which is a white odorless solid. It easily dissolves in water but is observed to be non-dissolving in acetone or alcohol. Solid ammonium sulfate crystals are broadly used in alkaline soils as fertilizers globally owing to their ability to improvise the soil nutrient content and sulfur deficiency. The solid or crystalline grade is higher in purity and is hence anticipated to gain preference in the pharmaceutical industry.                                                                                                

The liquid form of the product is commercially available as a pale yellowish solution and is recognized to be a non-toxic, stable, and non-hazardous substance. Liquid ammonium sulfate solution is extensively used in water treatment applications. The market for liquid ammonium sulfate (LAS) is projected to witness significant growth as alternatives of LAS, such as aqueous or anhydrous ammonia, are identified to be hazardous and their transport and handling require adherence to an extensive set of protocols. This type of sulfate is widely accepted and used as an effective and stable source of ammonia for chloramination. 

Application Insights

The fertilizers segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 70.0% in 2021. The demand is attributed to the use of ammonium sulfate as a fertilizer for alkaline soils as it contains both nitrogen and sulfur. Growing fertilizer consumption across agriculture-based economies is expected to drive the demand for the product over the forecast period. In soil, the product breaks into ammonia, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen, and water. Nitrogen and ammonia are used by plants to make amino acids, while sulfur is required for metabolism.

Major applications of ammonium sulfate include fertilizers, food and feed additives, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment. The market is mainly driven by fertilizers as ammonium sulfate is widely used as a substance in fertilizer production and is essentially used by all major nitrogenous fertilizer producers worldwide. Increasing demand for food products has pushed the agricultural industry to use ammonium sulfate products in fertilizer formulations globally. The pharmaceuticals segment is anticipated to register a lucrative CAGR over the forecast period. Ammonium sulfate is a key component in the pharmaceutical industry, wherein it is widely used as an intermediate to fractionate and precipitate protein.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific held the largest volume share of over 45.0% in 2021. The growth is attributed to the increase in demand for fertilizers used in the agriculture sector in the region, which in turn, will boost the demand for ammonium sulfate. Agriculture is a primary sector in many of the economies in this region such as India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Although the growth of the agriculture sector is comparatively slow, constant innovations in the field are projected to create substantial growth opportunities for various fertilizers to be used in agriculture.

Europe accounted for the second-largest share in terms of volume in 2021. The growth is credited to the increase in demand for fertilizers used in multiple crop production. Multiple agencies are establishing regulations regarding the utilization of synthetic fertilizers in the region. Central and South America are anticipated to register a revenue-based CAGR of 6.9% over the forecast period due to an increase in the demand for high-quality ammonium sulfate-based fertilizers used in the healthy growth of the major crops, which include grapes, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and wheat. The agriculture sector accounts for half of the share of the country’s GDP in Central and South America, including Argentina, Bolivia, Dominica, Paraguay, and Belize.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market for ammonium sulfate is highly competitive with the big international brands focusing on the development of long-term relationships with the end users. With the further increase in the water treatment operations and the growth of the pharmaceutical sector, the competition is anticipated to increase in the coming years. Companies such as Domo Chemicals, BASF, SABIC, and Honeywell International have a high degree of integration across the value chain as they are also engaged in the production of caprolactam. These companies have established themselves as key manufacturers and they focus on research and development for novel uses of the product. Some prominent players in the global ammonium sulfate market include:

• BASF SE

• Evonik Industries

• Lanxess Corporation

• Novus International

• Sumitomo Chemical

• Honeywell International

• Royal DSM

Recent Development

• In July 2022, Evonik successfully finalized a strategic agreement to provide blueSulfate®, a premium nitrogen fertilizer, catering specifically to the demands of US farmers. This collaborative effort enables Evonik to efficiently meet the market's requirements and enhance agricultural productivity in the United States

Ammonium Sulfate Market Report Scope

Global Ammonium Sulfate Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global ammonium sulfate market report on the basis of product, application, and region:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Solid

  • Liquid

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Fertilizers

  • Pharmaceuticals

  • Food & Feed Additives

  • Water Treatment

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K

    • France

    • Italy

    • Netherlands

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • Indonesia

    • Vietnam

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Iran

    • Egypt