SODIUM METAL MARKET ANALYSIS

Market Challenges And Opportunities

Market Restraints

Sodium metal is a highly reactive compound and combusts spontaneously when it gets exposed to water to air which is expected to restrict the market growth. Sodium metal is difficult to store and transport and only a few companies are engaged in the production of sodium metals. Hence, this factor is expected to hinder the market growth of sodium metal over the forecast period.

Increasing usage of alternative sodium metal such as magnesium which is used as a reductant in the production of titanium is expected to hamper the market growth to some extent. Major companies are using the alternative of sodium metal because of its hazardous nature and difficulties. Hence, the availability of alternative sodium metal is expected to hamper market growth.

Market Opportunities

The growing pharmaceutical industry where sodium metal is used to produce drugs such as aspirin and other drug products is also expected to augment the market growth of sodium metal. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is expected to expand at a CAGR of 22.4% over 2015–20 to reach US$ 55 billion. India’s pharmaceutical exports stood at US$ 17.27 billion in FY18 and have reached US$ 19.14 billion in FY19.

The growing glass industry is another major factor that is projected to propel the market growth of sodium metal. Sodium metal is widely used in the production of glass. According to Alliance Europe, in 2018, the EU-28 glass production reached a volume of 36.5 million tons, a slight increase of 0.2% compared with 2017. Therefore, growing production of glass is expected to augment the market growth.

Drivers

Growing demand for sodium metal for the production of indigo dye which is further used in the dyeing of cotton yarn is expected to foster the market growth of sodium metal. Sodium metal is a key ingredient used in the production of indigo dye. Hence, growing textile industry, growing demand for denim product and rising per capita income of the developed economies is expected to foster the market growth of sodium metal over the forecast timeframe.

The growing production of biodiesel is projected to augment the market growth of sodium metal. Sodium methylate is one of the key ingredient which is widely used as catalysts for the large-scale production of biodiesel. Sodium methylate is produced, by using sodium metal or sodium hydroxide which is further reacted with methanol to extract sodium methoxide (sodium methylate). Therefore, the rising production of biodiesel is expected to foster the market growth of sodium metal.