Molecular Sieve Market By Type (Type 3A, Type 4A, Type 5A, Type 13X, Type Y, Pentacil, Others) By Material Type (Carbon, Clay, Porous Glass, Silica Gel, Zeolite, Others) - Growth, Future Prospects & Competitive Analysis, 2016 - 2028

About this report

The global molecular sieve market report examines the molecular sieve industry critically using key parameters.The report consists of investment strategies, the need for investments in the molecular sieve industry, and the multiple benefits for investors. Importantly, this report sets out major changes in the global technical regulations for the molecular sieve industry and how economic and non-economic barriers are helping the market grow. Moreover, the report analyzes the global, regional, and country-level historic and forecasted market sizes. The report also provides a comprehensive analysis of key investment propositions, the demand and supply gap, competitor positioning, STAR analysis, SRC analysis, and Tornado analysis. Key technological developments and other analyses include Porter's five forces analysis, PESTEL analysis, value chain analysis, etc.

Key Highlights of the report

Major segments performing in the Molecular Sieve market

• The zeolite segment led the market regarding material type in 2021 and is expected to continue throughout the projection period. Zeolites have a precise structure and uniform size. Zeolite molecular sieves contain potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium. The petroleum industry widely uses the zeolite catalyst ZSM-5.
• In 2021, the type 4A segment accounted for the largest global market share. The fundamental molecular sieve types X and A are absorbents employed in the industry. Moreover, the 4A coating can dry out gases and liquids.
• In 2021, the pelleted shape segment dominated the global molecular sieve market. Pellets are harmless, micro-absorbent molecular sieves with uniformly sized holes that block larger molecules while enabling some smaller molecules to pass through. The molecular pellet sieve is superior to other types of molecular sieves in terms of its characteristics. The pellet shape has a very high capacity for adsorbing water, a high degree of mechanical strength, and a very low attrition loss.
• The microporous size segment dominated the global market in 2021, owing to significant market players working in this segment and the expanding use of molecular sieves in air brakes and air conditioning. The rapid economic expansion and increasing adoption of cutting-edge technologies in the molecular sieve market are attributed to the segment's growth.
• In 2021, the catalyst application segment accounted for the largest market share. Rising demand for high-performance catalysts with higher output, particularly from the oil and gas sector, is one of the key drivers of molecular sieve catalyst market growth. Expansion in refining applications has also fueled the global market for molecular sieve catalysts.
• The oil and gas end-use industry segment led the global market in 2021 and is expected to continue over the forecast period. One of the main technologies used in oil refineries to convert fuel is fluid-catalytic cracking (FCC). Currently, FCC produces most of the fuel consumed worldwide and a sizable portion of the propylene used in the polymer industry. Numerous oil refineries employ various conversion techniques, and some even have multiple FCC units.

In 2021, Asia Pacific dominated the Molecular Sieve market.

Asia Pacific dominated the global molecular sieve market in 2021 and is expected to maintain its dominance throughout the forecast period. The rising demand for surfactants and the important role of molecular sieves in nuclear waste removal will drive the demand for molecular sieves in Asia. China and India are the two largest regional consumers of molecular sieves. Due to the rising use of molecular sieves in the detergent industry, developing nations in this region will control the market for them. Growing demand from the detergent manufacturing sector and growth in new application segments such as wastewater treatment are expected to open up new market opportunities in several Asia-Pacific countries. The regulatory trend toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combined with a strong manufacturing base of refrigerants and detergents in Japan, China, and India, is expected to drive molecular sieve market growth.

The availability of numerous techniques for regenerating Molecular Sieve has led to growth in the US market.

In 2021, the United States dominated the North American molecular sieve market. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has been crucial in spreading awareness of molecular sieves nationwide. The public has become increasingly interested in using molecular sieves in the pharmaceutical sector, particularly in the region. Moreover, the availability of numerous techniques for regenerating molecular sieves has also emerged as a crucial market growth dynamic. The molecular sieve catalyst market is expected to grow in response to the region's expanding oil and gas sector. In addition, increased investment by key players in the United States to expand production facilities is expected to aid in the growth of the regional molecular sieve market.

Key market participants focus on strategic alliances and new product categories to compete.

The global market for molecular sieves is highly fragmented. Key market participants are concentrating on strategic alliances and launching new product categories to gain a competitive edge in the market. For instance, Metalsearch, an Australian producer of minerals and compounds, plans to launch the commercialization of its innovative process for producing synthetic zeolite from kaolin feedstock in April 2020. Similarly, Durasorb, a molecular sieve adsorption solution for processing natural gas, was introduced by BASF SE in October 2018. Durasorb provides a more reliable and dependable dehydration service for natural gas refining.

Executive Summary

Technical developments in the global Molecular Sieve market

Rising energy demand, combined with a focus on green technologies, has increased demand for zeolite molecular sieves as petroleum refining catalysts. Zeolites are widely used for catalytic processes due to their higher efficiency, yield, and non-toxicity characteristics. An additional factor in creating a chance for the expansion of the global market is the development of technology for the proper oxygen supply and the creation of antimicrobial zeolite molecular sieves. Players in the market for molecular sieves primarily use technology launches, mergers, and R&D activities. Following a cooperative partnership, Shell, a major player in the energy sector, announced in September 2021 a collaboration with catalyst specialist BASF's Sorbead Adsorption Technology in its carbon decline program. The incorporation included teaming up to assess the application of Sorbead technology for both pre- and post-combustion carbon capture and storage (CCS) endeavors. The Sorbead technology is ideal for dehydrating carbon dioxide after capture because of its high capacity for water and aluminosilicate gel composition, in this case by Shell's carbon capture technologies: ADIP Ultra or CANSOLV.

Key investments by the Molecular Sieve market players

The companies that sell zeolite molecular sieves on the international market have benefited from investments in the petroleum sector. R&D investments and technological advancements in the molecular sieve market are expected to provide market players with lucrative opportunities. For instance, CarbonCapture Inc., a climate technology company with offices in Pasadena that creates equipment to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, announced the closing of a USD 35 million Series A funding round in October 2021. In collaboration with Talon Metals Corp. and Rio Tinto PLC, the company will use these funds to set up immediate deployments of its Direct Air Capture (DAC) systems powered by renewable energy in U.S. locations, starting with the Tamarack Nickel Project in the central Minnesota region. Likewise, in May 2020, Metalsearch invested in and signed a contract with the University of Queensland to research and develop synthetic molecular sieve zeolites.

Some major players in the molecular sieve market are Axens, BASF SE, Bear River Zeolite Company (USAC), Caledon Laboratories Limited, CECA (Arkema), Clariant Produkte (Schweiz AG), Honeywell UOP, Interra Global Corporation, KNT Group, Merck & Co., Sorbead India, Tosoh Corporation, and Zeochem AG.

Major Driving Factors for the Molecular Sieve market

The primary factor fueling the global market expansion is the rising demand for processing in the oil and gas sector. Another driver of the target market's expansion is the rising awareness of the need to treat hazardous organic materials found in wastewater. Developing nanosized zeolite molecular sieves for medical oxygen concentration may present a market opportunity. Developing technology for proper oxygen supply and antimicrobial zeolite molecular sieves are also factors in creating opportunities for global market growth. For instance, chronic respiratory diseases are responsible for about 7% of all deaths in the United States.

Major Risks for the Molecular Sieve market

The threat of chemical composite materials, enzymes, and other alternatives and the high price of molecular sieves are anticipated to restrain market expansion. In addition, the absence of and preference for substitute products like silica gel, calcium sulfate, calcium oxide, montmorillonite, etc., which are inexpensive and offer acceptable performance, negatively affect the market's expansion. One of the challenges for manufacturers in the global market for molecular sieves is the health risks associated with ingesting and breathing molecular sieve products.

Key material types in the Molecular Sieve market

The zeolite material type segment is expected to maintain its dominance over the forecast period. Zeolites have a precise structure and uniform size. Zeolite molecular sieves are highly crystalline silicate aluminum structures containing minerals like sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. Such formation necessitates selective particle-size absorption, in which larger particles cannot enter the porous structure. Zeolite catalyst ZSM-5 is employed in the petroleum sector. It dehydrates alcohol to produce a mixture of hydrocarbons, which it directly converts into gasoline (petrol). These sieves are used for separation and adsorption in various industries, such as detergents, water treatment, and oil and gas. Advances in molecular chemistry have also significantly boosted demand in the global zeolite molecular sieve market. The numerous applications for such sieves have enabled distributors and vendors to generate new revenues.

Regional performance of the Molecular Sieve market

The Asia Pacific region dominated the molecular sieve market in 2021, owing to rising regional demand for detergents and catalysts. Zeolites are now used for water purification and gas stream filtration due to many regional governments' increased focus on environmental protection. Increased use in the production of lightweight construction materials and as a crucial component in the creation of asphalt concrete mix is also expected to fuel market expansion, along with rising infrastructure spending in nations like China and India. China is the world's top producer of zeolite molecular sieves due to the abundance of raw materials that can be used in their production. India is also a market leader in the production of zeolite molecular sieves. Zeolite is another product this nation exports to different markets.

Furthermore, North America is expected to have the highest revenue share in the global molecular sieve market during the forecast period. Growing investments by major regional players in the manufacture of molecular sieve catalysts are one of the factors promoting the expansion of the market in this region. Developments in molecular chemistry have significantly fueled the regional zeolite molecular sieve market's demand. Zeolite molecular sieves have a variety of uses, which is likely to boost regional market growth over the forecast period significantly. In addition, the demand for molecular separation has been a major factor in the growth of chromatography in the North American chemical sector.

Regulatory landscape for the Molecular Sieve market

Government initiatives and growing awareness of the benefits of using molecular sieve catalysts, such as improved energy efficiency, lower automobile exhaust emissions, and other environmental benefits, have fueled global molecular catalyst market growth. The substance phosphate, prohibited in developed nations, is substituted with molecular sieves. Government organizations and public awareness supported the need for molecular sieves. In the petrochemical and petroleum industries, it also serves as a catalyst. The environmentally friendly behavior of molecular sieves throughout their lifecycle has promoted them as a substitute for hazardous chemicals in various industrial applications, so demand for molecular sieves will rise during the forecast period. Stringent regulations for wastewater treatment chemicals will drive the molecular sieves market. Government agencies worldwide are enacting strict regulations for municipal and industrial effluents due to environmental problems like toxic groundwater and dead zones in water bodies.

Market Size of Molecular Sieves Regarding Value

The global molecular sieve market is anticipated to grow at a substantial CAGR of 4.1% in the upcoming years. The global molecular sieve industry is estimated to be worth USD 3.7 billion in 2021 and is expected to be worth USD 4.7 billion by 2028.

Major players are planning for the future of the Molecular Sieve market.

Increased antimicrobial research and development activities will propel the synthetic molecular sieve market forward. The need to sort molecules based on size has created new opportunities for business growth. Activated charcoal and silica gel are significant to the industry and have drawn the attention of vendors. The petroleum industry is expected to increase its demand for this product. Major market players focus on mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and new product launches to strengthen their positions in a highly competitive environment. For instance, Tosoh Corporation announced in June 2019 the development and application of its proprietary oxycatalyst. Tosoh employs the oxycatalyst in the oxychlorination process, producing ethylene dichloride from hydrogen chloride, oxygen, and ethylene in the VCM manufacturing process.

Segmentation of Global Molecular Sieve Market -

Global Molecular Sieve Market – By Type

• Type 3A
• Type 4A
• Type 5A
• Type 13X
• Type Y
• Pentacil
• Others

Global Molecular Sieve Market – By Material Type

• Carbon
• Clay
• Porous Glass
• Silica Gel
• Zeolite
• Others

Global Molecular Sieve Market – By Application

• Catalyst
• Adsorbent
• Desiccants

Global Molecular Sieve Market – By Shape

• Pelleted
• Beaded
• Powdered

Global Molecular Sieve Market – By Size

• Microporous
• Mesoporous
• Macroporous

Global Molecular Sieve Market – By End-Use Industry

• Oil & Gas Industry
• Agricultural Industry
• Chemical Industry
• Pharmaceutical Industry
• Water Treatment Industry
• Construction Industry
• Others

Global Molecular Sieve Market – By Region

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • UK.
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • South-east Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC Countries
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East and Africa

Frequently asked questions about the global Molecular Sieve market