Aqueous-based Metal Cleaners Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Chemical Type, Cleaning Chemicals, Technology End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Aqueous-based Metal Cleaners Market is accounted for $12.02 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $19.82 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period. Aqueous-based metal cleaners, also known as water-based metal cleaners, are cleaning products specifically formulated to remove dirt, grease, oils, rust, scale, and other contaminants from metal surfaces. These cleaners are primarily composed of water as the main solvent, along with a combination of surfactants, chelating agents, corrosion inhibitors, and other additives. Water serves as the primary medium for delivering the cleaning agents to the metal surface. Aqueous-based metal cleaners can be applied through various methods, including spray, immersion, brushing, or wiping. The application method depends on the size and complexity of the metal parts being cleaned and the specific requirements of the cleaning process.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Shift towards green manufacturing

Green manufacturing focuses on reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices. Aqueous-based metal cleaners, being water-based and environmentally friendly, align well with these goals. They offer a greener alternative to solvent-based cleaners, which can have adverse effects on the environment and human health. Additionally, Green manufacturing initiatives often involve compliance with stringent environmental regulations. Aqueous-based metal cleaners help industries meet these regulations by reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous waste generation. This compliance enables companies to operate within legal boundaries and avoid penalties are the factors supporting market growth.

Restraint:

Considerations for initial costs

Aqueous-based metal cleaners may have higher upfront costs compared to solvent-based cleaners. Implementing aqueous-based cleaning processes often requires investment in specialized equipment, such as washers or treatment systems, which can increase the initial cost for end-users. This upfront investment may deter some companies from adopting aqueous-based metal cleaners, especially smaller businesses with limited budgets.

Opportunity:

Increasing environmental awareness

The growing concern for environmental sustainability is driving the demand for eco-friendly cleaning solutions. Aqueous-based metal cleaners, with their reduced environmental impact and lower levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), align well with this trend. The increasing environmental awareness presents an opportunity for the market to cater to industries and end-users looking for greener alternatives.

Threat:

Availability of alternative cleaning technologies

Alternative cleaning technologies such as vapor degreasing, ultrasonic cleaning, and dry ice blasting have gained traction in recent years. These technologies offer unique advantages and may be more suitable for specific cleaning applications or industries. For example, vapor degreasing provides excellent cleaning for delicate parts, ultrasonic cleaning is effective for removing stubborn contaminants, and dry ice blasting offers a non-abrasive and environmentally friendly cleaning solution. The availability of these alternative technologies provides customers with more choices and flexibility in selecting the most appropriate cleaning method for their specific needs. This can potentially divert some market share from aqueous-based cleaners.

COVID-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic led to disruptions in global supply chains, affecting the availability of raw materials and components for the production of aqueous-based metal cleaners. Restrictions on international trade, lockdown measures, and reduced manufacturing activities caused delays in the supply chain, leading to a shortage of certain products. There was a shift in product demand within the aqueous-based metal cleaners market. While some sectors, such as automotive manufacturing, faced significant declines, other industries like healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and food processing experienced increased demand for metal cleaning products to maintain hygiene and cleanliness standards.

The automotive and aerospace segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period:

The automotive and aerospace segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period. In order to prolong the lifespan of an aircraft and prevent early wear and tear, it must be cleaned frequently. Cleaning and polishing are necessary during the manufacturing and assembly processes in the automotive industry. Regular tire washing, body cleaning, and glass cleaning are also necessary in this profession. Aqueous-based metal cleaners are used in the automotive sector to remove oil, grease, and heavy brake dust from brake parts. To clean vehicle parts, automated spray washers that function with aqueous cleansers are employed, which eliminates the need for manual scrubbing and brushing.

The sequestrants and inhibitors segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period:

Sequestrants are water conditioners that work to stop metal ions from depositing and precipitating in alkaline conditions. They aid in regulating water hardness and removing oxide layers without harming the base metal. Their purpose is to combine metals from dissolved oxides with calcium and magnesium to generate soluble complexes. Aqueous-based metal cleaning solutions employ inhibitors. With ferrous metals and alkaline cleaners, corrosion of metal components during cleaning is less significant. For acid systems or non-ferrous metals, the situation is different. Different materials can be employed, depending on the building system, pH level, and work piece metal.

Region with largest share:

Over the forecast period, North America accounted for the largest revenue share in the global market. The developed economies of North America are characterized by robust manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and defense sectors. The hardware and software industries have seen a number of developments in this region, which is highly advanced. Because of the expansion of nations' economy including the US, Canada, and Mexico. Because of the North American Free commerce Agreement's (NAFTA) strong integration of three nations, commerce between them has expanded dramatically over the past 20 years, accelerating the economic growth of the US, Canada, and Mexico. Through OEMs and companies that manufacture and assemble autos, the US and Canada are connected.

Region with highest CAGR:

During the forecast period, South America is anticipated to grow significantly over the forecast period. The aqueous-based metal cleaners market in South America refers to the industry involved in the production, distribution, and sale of metal cleaning products that are water-based or aqueous in nature. In addition, Aqueous-based cleaners are used for the cleaning and maintenance of automotive parts, including engine components, chassis, body panels, and other metal surfaces. The growth of the automotive industry in countries like Brazil and Argentina drives the demand for metal cleaners in the region.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Aqueous-based Metal Cleaners market include Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Chautauqua Chemical Company, Crest Chemicals, Delstar Metal Finishing, Inc., DST-Chemicals A/S, DuPont., Eastman Chemical Company, Elmer Wallace Ltd, Emerson Electric Co., Evonik Industries AG, Houghton International Inc., Hubbard-Hall Inc., Kyzen Corporation, Lincoln Chemical Corporation, NuGenTec, Oxiteno, PCC Chemax Inc., Pitambari Products PVT. LTD., Quaker Chemical Corporation, Rochester Midland Corp and Stepan Company

Key Developments:

In October 2022, Kolene Corporation, a prominent leader in custom-fashioned and created molten salt bath equipment and specialty chemical formulations, has announced the acquisition of Upton Industries

In November 2021, Jason Industries, Inc. established a collaboration with Matchless Metal Polish Company in February 2020. This expansion would significantly increase the area of the metal cleaning chemicals market

In July 2021, Evonik, one of the leading market players launched multifunctional surfactant TOMADOL 904 for hard surface cleaning applications in North America. This launch allows customers to enhance the sustainability of their cleaning product formulations which drives the market's growth

In June 2021, Nouryon, one of the leading market players acquired the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) business of J.M. Huber Corporation. This acquisition is expected to extend Nouryon's portfolio of products in CMC, a sustainable, bio-based water-soluble polymer used as a thickener, stabilizer, binder, and film former

Chemical Types Covered:

• Alkaline
• Acidic
• Neutral

Cleaning Chemicals Covered:

• Builders
• Sequestrants and Inhibitors
• Surfactants
• Other Cleaning Chemicals

Technologies Covered:

• Ultrasonic Technology
• Rinse Technology
• Dip Technology
• Spray Technology

End Users Covered:

• Manufacturing
• Automotive and Aerospace
• Healthcare
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026 and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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