Global Flotation Reagents Market - 2023-2030

Market Overview

The global flotation reagents market reached US$ XX million in 2022 and is projected to record significant growth by reaching up to US$ XX million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of XX% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

Flotation is a method for concentrating minerals based on the characteristics of their surfaces. A valuable mineral that has been finely ground is mixed with water, specific chemicals that make it more water resistant and air to stir it up. Water-repellent mineral grains adhere to froth bubbles, concentrating the mineral at the top of the flotation cell, where it is mechanically removed. "flotation reagents" refers to a substance used in the mineral flotation process that can modify a mineral's flotation behavior to produce effective mineral separation. The most adaptable, efficient and practical method of controlling the flotation process is flotation reagents. Copper sulfate, sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX), which serves as the main collector, a dithiophosphate promoter and the foamers MIBC and Interfroth 60 are among the flotation reagents. The market is segmented into type (flocculants, collectors, frothers, dispersants and others) and application (explosives & drilling, mineral processing, water & waste treatment and others).

Frothers are used in the flotation process to generate the froth that acts as a buoyant medium to separate floatable and non-floatable minerals. Frothers achieve this by reducing the liquid's surface tension, allowing air rising through the pulp to collect in the form of bubbles at the surface. The type of frother can affect the froth's characteristics. The alcohol frothers produce brittle froths or those that easily deteriorate. The tough bubble produced by frothers like coal tar creosotes may be desirable for some separations.

Market Dynamics

These reagents' main function is to modify how well the collector acts on mineral surfaces, which controls the flotation process' selectivity. The mining industry is expected to flourish due to rising mineral demand and stable metal prices. It is therefore anticipated to fuel the expansion of the global mining flotation chemicals market and the rise in consumption of lime, sodium silicate and starch is anticipated to aid the growth of the overall flotation reagents market in the coming years. The flotation chemicals market is expected to grow globally due to the growing investments in the mining sector. The use of flocculants greatly helps to reduce cost, enhance the clarity of the liquid phase, save energy consumption and be useful for primary effluent treatment plants, so owing to these factors, the flotation reagents market will grow further.

According to BASF SE, the global demand for copper is estimated to get doubled by 2035, which requires new mines and the expansion of existing mines and some more technological advancements at existing mines to enhance the output of the mines.

Lowered Ore Quality Sustains the Mining Flotation Reagents Market Demand

Because copper is a pivotal raw material for the electric revolution, the demand for metal is predicted to rise significantly. Higher demand will necessarily entail the development of new mines as existing ones run out of resources. Additionally, ore mineralogy is becoming more complex, grades are falling and ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) responsibilities are starting to grow. As a result, the development of new mines is taking longer and longer. Therefore, it has never been more important to maximize the recovery of copper from existing reserves. Low-grade ores are typically discarded because processing them is too expensive because copper is extracted from primary sulfide ores through a flotation process. An alternative hydrometallurgical heap leach process is currently used for low-grade oxide and secondary sulfide ores. Low recovery efficiencies result from difficulty leaching primary sulfide ores like chalcopyrite. Furthermore, processing existing ores in mines will strengthen the demand for flotation chemicals in the global market.

Froth Flotation's ability to increase the low mineral concentrations in ores to economically processed concentrate to boost the market growth

To increase the low mineral concentrations in ores to that they can be processed more cost-effectively, froth flotation is used. The most popular industrial method for separating finely liberated minerals is froth flotation. The procedure entails aerating minerals in water with flotation agents, making it easier for air bubbles to adhere to and float some minerals. The most popular industrial method for separating finely liberated minerals is froth flotation. The procedure entails aerating minerals in water with flotation agents, making it easier for air bubbles to adhere to and levitate some minerals. Once at the surface, a froth layer supports the selected minerals until they are eliminated. Materials that aren't attached stay submerged in the pulp. The following are some benefits of froth flotation: By using this method, almost all mineral types can be separated. The flotation agent can regulate and modify surface properties. The separation of sulfide minerals is a perfect application for this technique. Pine oil and methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC) are the most commonly used flotation frothers. Due to the abovementioned ability, the flotation reagents market is expected to grow quickly.

Because flotation chemicals are widely used in the mining industry, they generate hazardous chemical waste. This large quantity of waste is referred to as tailings and it contains hazardous minerals that have the potential to harm and pollute the environment, including the atmosphere and groundwater bodies. As a result, this factor may serve as a market barrier and limit the growth of the flotation reagents market.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

However, COVID-19 has utterly devastated the global economy, causing many sectors to collapse. As part of their efforts to stop the coronavirus from spreading, several nations implemented nationwide lockdowns. The production halts harmed the market in general. The demand for several metals, including copper and iron ore, fell sharply. The suspension of production and the drop in demand for commercial services in 2020 impacted the growth of the flotation reagents market. Additionally, the pandemic's impact on reagent price volatility made the impact on the market for flotation reagents even worse. The demand for flotation reagents will be influenced by the shift toward clean energy and net-zero emissions over the coming years, which is expected to encourage the demand for renewables and reduce reliance on oil, gas and coal.

Segment Analysis

The global flotation reagents market is segmented based on type, application and region.

Demand for Collectors to push the flotation reagents market growth

A mineral's ability to float is ascertained by its surface characteristics. Collectors, some of the most crucial flotation reagents, are used to modify the surface morphology of minerals. A collector is a chemical that binds specifically to the surface of target minerals and imparts hydrophobicity, a basic requirement for air bubble attachment, to those mineral particles. The emphasis of chemical companies involved in mining flotation currently is on better understanding how different mineralogy species influence flotation collector responses. A recent development in the market for mining flotation chemicals is the introduction of new frothers. By switching from high molecular structure glycol-based frothers to MIBC, the mill grinds materials more coarsely while enhancing bubble strength. Furthermore, the aforementioned factor projected this collectors-type segment to dominate the global flotation reagents market during the forecasted period.

Geographical Analysis

The global flotation reagents market is segmented based on type, application and region.

China and India lead the expansion of the flotation reagents market in the Asia Pacific.

In nations like Japan, China and India, the consumption of mining flotation chemicals is expected to increase rapidly. The increased use of mining chemicals in mining applications is the factor causing the demand to increase. The increased disposable income of consumers, who are spending more on metal goods, also impacts the market for mining flotation reagents in these developing countries. Mining is required to produce infrastructural facilities, such as the framework for buildings and electricity. These aspects are promoting the flotation market's expansion in this area. The presence of large metal and mineral reserves in Asia-Pacific, along with the distribution of ferrous and non-ferrous minerals, is driving the flotation reagents market in the region.

Competitive Landscape

Leading companies are investing in R&D to develop technologies that will lower operating costs and protect workers from risk. Another focus for development projects is better ways to manage ores with declining grades. The primary focus areas include product launches, collaborations, strategic mergers and acquisitions. The key players in the market are BASF SE, Huntsman, The DOW Chemical Company, AkzoNobel, Clariant AG, Kemira OYJ, Cytec Solvay Group, Evonik Industries Orica Limited and SNF Floerger SAS.

BASF SE

Overview: BASF SE is headquartered in Germany and was founded in 1965, the German multinational largest chemical manufacturer. It has provided customers with high-performance chemical solutions while employing about 11,000 persons. BASF SE's product offering includes six segments: chemicals, materials, surface technologies, industrial solutions, agricultural solutions and nutrition & care. It operates in the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and MEA. BASF SE has a subsidiary in Ludwigshafen as BASF SE and one manufacturing facility in Sandefjord. If it gets down to leaching, solvent extraction, flotation, solid/liquid separation and tailings management, BASF SE mining solutions offer sustainable solutions that improve productivity, recovery and flexibility. Performance Chemicals is a division of BASF SE that includes mining solutions. The division's product line includes oilfield chemicals, plastic additives and fuel and lubricant solutions. Its innovative solutions benefit consumers from various industries, including Chemicals, Plastics, Consumer Goods, Energy & Resources and Automotive & Transportation.

Product Portfolio:

Flotation Reagents: Its technology and a wide variety of chemistries enable innovative and creative flotation applications while offering the best results for phosphates, sulfide ores and different industrial minerals. Its product portfolio offers the mining industry economic, operational and environmental benefits. Reduced dose rates, greater recovery and an improved GHS profile are just a few advantages. While the company's Luprofroth and Luproset ranges offer frothers and modifiers for various flotation applications, the Lupromin range includes flotation aids for non-sulfidic minerals.

Key Development: On November 8, 2022, An partnership was announced by the leading provider of nanobubble technology, Moleaer Inc. and the multinational chemical company BASF SE. The mining sector will gain from a strategic partnership between BASF SE and Moleaer that combines chemical, mineral processing, gas transfer and nanobubble technology expertise. BASF SE's chemical LixTRA leaching aid and Moleaer's innovative nanobubble technology significantly increase copper recovery for the heap leaching of primary sulfide ores.

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global flotation reagents market segmentation based on type, application and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
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The global flotation reagents market report would provide approximately 53 tables, 50 figures and 230 Pages.

Target Audience 2023

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies