Molecular Sieves Market: Information by Type (4A, 3A, 5A, 13X, zeolite Y, and Others), by Shape (Beads, Pellets, and Powder), by Product (Zeolites, Activated Carbon, Clay, and Others)by End-use (Oil & Gas, Automotive, Packaging, Coatings, Wastewater Treatment, Detergents, and Others)and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa)—Forecast till 2028

Molecular Sieves Market Overview

The molecular sieves market is projected to register aCAGR of 4.68% toreach USD 3,068.48 million by the end of 2028.

Molecular sievesare synthetic zeolite materials engineered with pores of uniform sizes and structures. They are used for absorbing liquids and gas molecules that are smaller than the effective diameters of the pores. It is a fast-drying agent and possesses the ability to trap moisture quickly compared to silica gel. Zeolites are highly porous crystalline solids and belong to a chemical category called aluminosilicates. The four types of molecular sieves are 3A, 4A, 5A, and 13X, which determines the pore size of the molecular sieves and is dependent on the molecule's chemical formula.

Covid-19 Analysis

The Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the supply chain, manufacturing operations, and international trade of chemicals and materials. The production facilities have also faced disruptions as a result of lockdown across the globe. Moreover, molecular sieves comprising aluminum, silicon, oxygen, and others are used as raw materials to produce medical and industrial oxygen. Hence, various governments have lifted restrictions and allowed ease for the supply of molecular sieves. Molecular sieves are also being provided to various companies in major affected countries to increase their supply of oxygen either by converting their nitrogen production units to oxygen units or by installing new plants. For instance, in June 2021, BASF SE, one of the leading players, supplied molecular sieves from its chemical catalysts and adsorbent's business segment to India. The molecular sieves were provided from Germany to improve the medical emergency in the country. BASF has also imported medical oxygen-related equipment such as concentrators and cylinders to India to supplement the healthcare infrastructure.

In May 2021, Honeywell International committed to providing USD 3 million in Covid-19 relief for India. The company established critical care units equipped with PPE, oxygen, beds, and basic medical infrastructure. They supply their molecular sieve adsorbents (UOP OXYSIV) to the licensees of the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research–Indian Institute of Petroleum.

Market Dynamics

• Driver

Molecular sieves play a vital role in the automotive and transport industries for various key water problems. In automobiles, moisture can lead to corrosion of components and thereby reduce the vehicle's life expectancy. Hence, molecular sieves desiccants are incorporated in the automobile system in the form of bags or cartridges to prevent them from moisture effects. Furthermore, molecular sieves are also used in air brake systems of trains, buses, medium and heavy-duty trucks to keep the air as dry as possible in order to avoid any corrosion of the metallic parts and freezing in the circuit. Hence, growing demand from the automotive and transportation industries is one of the major factors driving the growth of this market. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), the automotive production in 2016 was 424.1 million units and is projected to reach 460.1 million units in 2021, globally.

• Restraint

The high cost of molecular sieves is hindering the growth of this market. In addition to this, availability and preference for various alternatives such as silica gel, calcium sulfate, calcium oxide, indicating silica gel, montmorillonite clay, among others to molecular sieves, owing to their low cost and satisfactory performance are negatively impacting the growth of this market.

Segmentation

The global Molecular Sieves market has been segmented on the basis of type, shape, product, end-use industry, and region.

The type segment in the global molecular sieves market has been categorized 4A, 3A, 5A, 13X, zeolite Y, and others. Among these, the 4A segment dominated the global market. It accounted for more than 20% of the market share in 2020, owing to its low cost due to its virgin state. It is an alkali metal aluminosilicate with an effective pore opening of approximately 4 angstroms, used to adsorb water, ethanol, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. 4A is also used to remove moisture from liquid and gas streams.

On the basis of shape, the global market has been segmented into bead, pellet, and powder. The bead segment accounted for a maximum share owing to its large-scale consumption across various end-use industries. It is expected to register a CAGR of around 4%, in terms of volume, during the forecast period (2021-2028).

Based on product, the market is categorized as zeolites, activated carbon, clay, and others. Among these, the zeolites segment dominated the global market, owing to its growing demand for the production of industrial and medical oxygen. 

Global Molecular Sieves market Revenue, by End-use, 2020 (USD Million)

Sources: MRFR Analysis

Based on end-use, the market has been segmented into oil & gas, automotive, packaging, coatings, wastewater treatment, detergents, and others. The oil & gas end-use segment accounted for a major market share of more than 20% in 2020, followed by automotive. The growth of this segment is attributed to its use for purification and dehydration of aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons, synthetic gas, removal of H2S, CO2, mercaptans, and other impurities.

The packaging segment is projected to witness the fastest growth throughout the review period. The packaging end-use segment incorporates molecular sieves to protect package products such as film, batteries, pharmaceuticals, fuel propellants, electronic components, and machine parts. Molecular sieves are used for trace contamination removal and dehydration in enclosed areasfor packaging protection.

Global Molecular Sieves market Share, by Region, 2020 (%)

Sources: MRFR Analysis

Regional Analysis

The market in Asia-Pacific held the largest market share of more than 30% in 2020 and is expected to grow at a faster pace during the forecast periodand be the leading market. The growing urbanization and rapid industrialization are fueling the growth of the molecular sieves market in this region. Major economies contributing to the growth of the market include India, China, Indonesia, Japan, and South Asian countries.

Furthermore, growing demand from the oil & gas industry is expected to drive the market growth in this region. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to account for approximately half of incremental consumption from 2022, driven by India and China, as per Energy Information Administration – EIA.

Europe accounted for the second-largest market share in 2020, owing to the growth of various end-use industries, including packaging, oil & gas, automotive, and coatings. Germany, the UK, France, Italy, and Spain are the major countries positively driving the market growth.

Key Players

Key players operating in the global Molecular Sieves market include Tosoh Corporation (Japan), Arkema (France), BASF SE (Germany), Honeywell International Inc (US), W. R. Grace & Co (US), Zeochem AG (Switzerland), Merck KgaA (Germany), Sorbead India (India), KNT Group (Russia), MolsivCN (China), Union Showa K.K. (Japan), Van Air, Inc (US).

Key Developments:

The key players in the market are focused on increasing and expanding production capacities to capture the large consumer base of oil & gas, packaging, and paints and coatings end-use industries. According to MRFR analysis, partnerships with distributors, expansions, and acquisitions are the strategies adopted by the key players in this market.

In January 2021, Arkema, one of the leading players in the global market, partnered with Safic-Alcan, a specialty chemicals distributor, to distribute SILIPORITE molecular sieves. The company will distribute all ranges across the UK, Nordic countries,Ireland, Greece,Russia, and Southeast Asian countries.

In March 2020, Arkema SA partnered with Azelis Americas CASE, LLC, to distribute its molecular sieves in the adhesives, sealants, coatings, and elastomers market. The product portfolio of the company includes Siliporite SA1720, NK10AP, NK30AP, and the G5XP range of Arkema molecular sieves. The distribution will occur all over the US states, excluding Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona,Nevada, and Utah.

Market Segmentation

Global Molecular Sieves market, byType

• 4A


• 3A


• 5A


• 13X


• zeolite Y


• others

Global Molecular Sieves Market, by Shape

• Bead


• Pellet


• Powder

Global Molecular Sieves Market, by Product

• Zeolites


• Activated Carbon


• Clay


• Others

Global Molecular Sieves Market, by End-use Industry

• Oil & Gas


• Automotive


• Packaging


• Coatings


• Wastewater Treatment


• Detergents


• Others

Global Molecular Sieves market, by Region

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Russia
  
  
  • Belgium
  
  
  • Poland
  
  
  • Netherlands
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia & New Zealand
  
  
  • Indonesia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Latin America
  
  
  
  • Mexico
  
  
  • Brazil
  
  
  • Argentina
  
  
  • Rest of Latin America
  
  
  
  


• Middle East & Africa
  
  
  
  • Saudi Arabia
  
  
  • Israel
  
  
  • Turkey
  
  
  • South Africa
  
  
  • Rest of the Middle East
  
  
  
  

Available Additional Customizations

• Customer Analysis of Major Consumers


• Additional Company Profiles

Recent Development

• October 2021- Pasadena-based climate tech company, CarbonCapture Inc. which makes machines, which remove carbon dioxide (CO2) right from the atmosphere, announced the closing of a USD 35 million Series A funding round. The company is going to use these funds to set up primary deployments of its renewable energy-powered Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems in U.S. locations, beginning with the Tamarack Nickel Project in the central Minnesota region in collaboration with Talon Metals Corp. and Rio Tinto PLC.

• September 2021- Shell, a leading player in the energy industry, announced a collaboration with catalyst expert BASF’s Sorbead Adsorption Technology in its carbon decline program following a collaborative partnership. The incorporation included operating together to evaluate the use of the Sorbead technology for both pre-and post-combustion carbon capture and storage (CCS) activities. The Sorbead technology is perfect for dehydrating carbon dioxide following capture due to its high capacity for water and aluminosilicate gel composition, in this scenario by Shell’s carbon capture technologies: CANSOLV or ADIP Ultra.

Intended Audience

• Molecular Sieves manufacturers


• Suppliers and traders of Molecular Sievesand related products


• Government, associations, and industrial associations


• Investors and trade experts


• Consulting in chemical experts

Report Scope:

Report Attribute/Metric	Details
Market Size	2028: 3,068.48 Million
CAGR	4.68% (2020-2028)
Base Year	2019
Forecast Period	2020-2028
Historical Data	2018
Forecast Units	Value (USD Million)
Report Coverage	Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends
Segments Covered	Type, Shape, Product and End-Use
Geographies Covered	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World (RoW)
Key Vendors	Sorbead India (India), Tosoh Corporation (Japan), Arkema S.A., Siliporite, (France), BASF SE (Germany), Honeywell International Inc, Honeywell Fluka (US), Grace & Co, SYLOBEAD & SYLOSIV (US), KNT Group (Russia), Zeochem AG (Switzerland), Merck KGaA (Germany), MolsivCN (China), UNION SHOWA KK (Japan), Van Air, Inc (US)
Key Market Opportunities	Growing demand from the automotive and transportation industries
Key Market Drivers	Demand for molecular sieves from the oil & gas industries

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