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The global boron minerals and chemicals market was valued at USD 13.1 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of over 3.3% from 2025 to 2034. The material demand is driven by a rising usage of boron compounds in wide-ranging applications that include, glass and ceramics, detergents, alloys and metals, agrochemicals supported by favourable government laws that encourage the use of energy-efficient semiconductor and glass fibre products.
Boron is a non-phosphate, ecologically safe, borate-based used in household cleaning agent that poses no health risks. Boron minerals are natural compounds that contain boron oxide in varying concentrations. Chemical residues from petrochemical detergents remain on the laundry, limiting its usable life. In terms of commercial relevance, colemanite and ulexite are the most important boron minerals. Textile glass fibre, insulating glass fibre, enamels and glazes, and agriculture are few of the major consuming industries for boron compounds.
Report Attribute | Details |
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Base Year: | 2024 |
Boron Minerals and Chemicals Market Size in 2024: | USD 13.1 Billion |
Forecast Period: | 2025 – 2034 |
Forecast Period 2025 – 2034 CAGR: | 3.3% |
2025 – 2034 Value Projection: | USD 18.4 Billion |
Historical Data for: | 2021 – 2024 |
No. of Pages: | 300 |
Tables, Charts & Figures: | 272 |
Segments covered: | Product, Application |
Growth Drivers: |
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Pitfalls & Challenges: |
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The market for detergents and bleaches is expected to grow significantly owing to the eco–friendly property of borate–based compounds used in detergents. However, the cleaning product leaves no residues when used. Also, colemanite, ulexite, and tourmaline are all its important minerals. Colemanite is in great demand due to its growing usage in the creation of heat-resistant glass, as well as a variety of industrial, medicinal, and cosmetic uses.
The boron minerals and chemicals industry is witnessing significant growth, driven by rising demand in agriculture, electronics, and construction. Boron-based products are essential in fertilizers for improving crop yields, which is increasingly important given global food security challenges. The construction industry uses boron in insulation materials and glass, contributing to energy efficiency—an area where many governments have set ambitious targets.
In electronics, boron compounds are valuable for semiconductors and glass fiber production, aligning with the expansion of renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles (EVs). For example, the U.S. Department of Energy’s initiatives to increase EV infrastructure and energy efficiency provide support to industries that benefit from boron’s thermal and chemical stability.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the European Commission, boron is a critical mineral, highlighting the strategic importance of securing a stable supply. Government programs, such as the European Union’s Raw Materials Initiative, support boron production and research into alternative extraction methods. Additionally, agencies like the International Energy Agency (IEA) stress the role of minerals like boron in green energy transitions, further fueling market growth. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the United States produced approximately 1.1 billion metric tons of boron in 2023, reflecting the mineral's growing demand and strategic importance.
Furthermore, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has noted the increasing use of boron in agriculture to enhance crop yields, which is crucial for addressing global food security. These statistics and initiatives underscore the vital role of boron in various industries and its growing market potential.
The market for glass and ceramics is expected to hold a considerable share in the overall market, owing to its greater durability and applications. With these excellent chemical properties boron glass is more preferred over other raw material chemicals for glass manufacturing. The growing application scope of glass and ceramics in a number of building and construction activities is expected to boost the market in the upcoming years.
Boric acid and borate salts act as pesticides, herbicides, algaecides, and fungicide. They are preferred above other pesticides for its efficacy in agrochemicals. Moreover, boric acid and sodium borate salt compounds limit pest invasion by blocking pest metabolism at the cellular level. Another popular boron chemical is borate, which absorbs infrared radiation and aids in the reduction of heat loss by infrared transmission in building materials like glass wool and other insulation materials. However, increasing constraints on its in personal care products may curtail its related compounds.
The demand for colemanite mineral products surpassed USD 1.6 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to surpass USD 2.2 billion by 2034 due to its increasing use in the production of heat-resistant glass, as well as various industrial, medical, and cosmetic applications. Colemanite, tincal, and ulexite are of interest in many application areas due to their great properties. Colemanite and ulexite was used individually as fillers to prepare epoxy composites.
Colemanite is a calcium borate mineral that contains water and is made up of boronite and borax. For decades, colemanite has been a favoured natural source of insoluble boron. In terms of oxide contribution to glazes, it is like ulexite. In industry, frits are employed as boron sources, whereas potters and small businesses have relied on colemanite. Colemanite ore, a borate mineral, has been used in ceramic glaze recipes due to its low melting point, low solubility, and its smoothness on unleaded glazes. One of the main reasons for the use of glaze recipes in floor tiles to make the porous and uneven surface much smoother.
Global boron minerals and chemicals market from glass and ceramics applications is anticipated to account for around USD 12.1 billion by 2034. Borax and boric acid are primarily used in the glass and ceramics industries. Boric acid is used in heat-resistant boro-silicate glass, glass fibres, along with industrial and optical glass. The two largest consuming markets, glass, and ceramics are intricately linked to the construction industry and, as a result, have suffered tremendously during the construction industry crises in North America and Europe.
However, both the markets have progressively recovered from the recession, and the market has risen at a healthy pace, mainly due to the growing demand in Asia, followed by, Central and South America, Africa, and the Middle East.
Boric oxide, silica sand, soda ash, and alumina are combined and melted to make borosilicate glass. As borosilicate glass melts at a greater temperature than conventional silicate glass, industrial manufacture requires certain novel procedures. The production process differs according to the product geometry and can be classified as floating, tube drawing, or molding.
Asia Pacific region is projected to register gains at over 3.7% CAGR from 2025 to 2034. In the building and construction industry, Asia market, led by China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and India, is predicted to grow rapidly. Residential constructions and dwellings are expected to be in high demand as per capita income and population rise. High government spending on public infrastructure, such as bridges, dams, roads, and highways, is expected to boost the regional market growth.
Rapidly growing population along with surge in consumer disposable income are expected to augment the demand for glass and ceramics products, thus supporting business expansion. High government investment on public infrastructure development, such as bridges, dams, roads, and highways, might help to drive regional product demand. Besides, increased domestic demand for agrochemicals is anticipated to further boost the regional industry size.
In North America, the boron minerals and chemicals coating market is expanding rapidly, largely due to the presence of established manufacturing sectors and a growing emphasis on advanced coating techniques. The region benefits from significant investments in technology and infrastructure, facilitating the adoption of boron minerals and chemicals solutions. As industries prioritize sustainability and efficiency, the ability of boron minerals and chemicals technology to minimize waste and deliver high-quality coatings positions North America as a leading region in the global boron minerals and chemicals coating market.
A few big players in the boron minerals and chemicals industry are primarily due to large-scale production and strategic resources. The world leader is Turkey's state-owned enterprise, Eti Maden, since it heavily benefits from Turkey's rich boron reserves, which make up much of the global supply. Rio Tinto is another major company that holds an important share mainly because of its diverse mining operations and global presence. The major players have comprised Gremont Chemical Company and American Borate, which cater to the local market as well as export to the international arena. The company is very keen on the individual product that is borate, which is used in the agricultural and construction industries.
Orocobre is essentially a lithium company, though it has other assets in the boron sector as well, particularly in South America, where Argentina has proven boron reserves. Other notable companies include Inkabor in Peru and Searles Valley Minerals in the United States, who focus on boron compounds of high purity. Companies like Boron Specialities. And Minera Santa Rita SRL contribute to this market, offering specialized boron products for niche applications which diversify the competitive landscape.
Major players operating in the boron minerals and chemicals coating industry are:
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