When Will the Iodine Market Recover From the Downturn? - Global Iodine Demand Forecast to Rise by 3.5% Yearly to 2014

Global Information Inc. presents a new market research report, "Iodine: Global Industry Markets and Outlook, 11th edition 2013" by Roskill Information Services, Ltd..

According to a new study published by Roskill Information Services, "Demand for iodine is forecast to rise by 3.5%py to 2014." Chile and Japan currently dominate iodine production. Nearly 80% of crude iodine output is internationally traded. Key sectors that are expected to drive growth in iodine demand include: optical polarizing film for LCD displays/screens, biocides for human health, and x-ray contrast media for radiology.

Iodine consumption displayed strong growth during the mid-2000s. This trend was largely a result of greater output levels of optical polarizing film (OPF), which is used in liquid crystal display (LCD) screens, catalysts, and heat stabilizers. However, "despite its use in several recession-proof markets, such as pharmaceuticals and radiology, iodine was not immune to the global economic downturn and consumption fell by over 10% in 2009." As investments in capacity additions dwindled after the early-2000s, the market landscape started to exhibit dramatic changes. According to the report: "Utilization rates at iodine plants increased and combined with higher input costs, falling stock levels and rapidly rising demand growth, prices for iodine increased almost two-fold. New capacity was brought on-stream in 2008, but prices continued to increase, reaching over US$30/kg in 2009, despite a fall in demand." Meanwhile, the European and North American share of the market has declined by 25% in the last ten years. In contrast, rapid economic growth and a shift in optical polarizing film (OPF) production have dramatically increased iodine demand in Asia. The Asia region now accounts for nearly 40% of total iodine consumption.