Sodium Sulfide Market Size & Share 2018 - 2024
Market Size by Product (Low Ferric Sodium Sulfide, Anhydrous Sodium Sulfide, Crystal Sodium Sulfide), by Grade (Technical, Purified), by Application (Pulp & Paper, Water Treatment, Tanneries (Leather Industry), Chemical Processing, Textile Industry, Ore Processing, Others), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast.
Report ID: GMI3006
|
Published Date: November 2018
|
Report Format: PDF
Download Free PDF
Authors:
Kiran Pulidindi, Kunal Ahuja
Sodium Sulfide Market Size
Sodium Sulfide Market size was over USD 415 million in 2017, witnessing a CAGR of 6.8% from 2018 to 2024. and industry expects consumption at over 945 kilo tons by 2024.
Rising operational costs and increasing stringent labor regulations in Germany, Italy, France and Belgium have shifted the leather production to several Asian nations including China, India, and South Korea. India has abundant raw material reserves with access to over 20% of the global cattle population and the labor-intensive leather industry provides employment to about 3 million poor citizens which may consolidate the tannery industry.
Chinese leather exports exceeded USD 78 billion in 2017, which indicates ample growth potential for the sodium sulfide market.
Low water availability, significant population rise, rapid city development, and technological advancements in water treatment have led to an increasing necessity of water reuse. In 2017, the global demand for freshwater witnessed a rise of over 60 billion cubic meters annually which presents ample opportunities for water treatment.
The product is routinely used in wastewater treatment for the removal of heavy metals ions such as mercury & lead that results in the formation of heavy metal sulfide particles over 2.5 µm in size, which can then be conveniently removed by sedimentation.
Na2S emits toxic pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide gas through the dissociation process during downstream operations in the pulp & paper industry which may restrain market growth. Moreover, sulfide-rich effluents are commonly associated with ill-effects including sewer corrosion, malodours, and toxicity to humans, livestock & agriculture, which may further hamper the sodium sulfide market growth.
Sodium Sulfide Market Analysis
Low ferric sodium sulfide segment surpassed $180 million in 2017. This product finds wide use in high-grade paper, medicine, leather, PPS plastic, dyeing and printing industries. Moreover, it offers various advantages such as high solubility in alcohol and water, which imparts a tendency to absorb atmospheric moisture and form a solution further stimulating the sodium sulfide market.
Anhydrous Na2S should witness gains of over 6.5% through 2024 owing to its wide use in gold ore hydrometallurgy, rayon dyeing, paper, leather and organic chemical manufacturing industries. Moreover, growing personal care applications for toenail trimming, in which the product performs a softening role for pain reduction may further stimulate the sodium sulfide market share.
Technical grade sodium sulfide market segment surpassed $290 million in 2017 owing to the product’s vital role in dye, oil recovery, ore flotation, and detergent manufacture. Moreover, this product acts as an oxygen scavenging agent in water treatment, dechlorinating agent in tanneries, and as a textile bleaching agent & sulfonation agent in chemical manufacturing.
Purified grade segment may witness gains of over 6.5% in the forecast timeframe. This product is primarily used in the Kraft process in the paper and pulp industries but its high solubility in water compared to oxides and fluorides may increase sodium sulfide market demand from the water treatment industry.
Sodium sulfide market size from pulp & paper applications was valued over USD 45 million in 2017. Increasing demand for hygiene products, tissue papers and packaging may increase the requirement for paper pulp. For instance, Japan’s packaging market size exceeded USD 45 billion in 2017 which indicates ample growth opportunities. The pulp & paper industry converts wood into paper, cardboard & similar products with the aid of sodium sulphide, which may stimulate product demand.
Tanneries applications may witness gains of over 5% in the predicted timeframe. This product is used in the processing of different leather varieties which improves the softness and quality of the manufactured item. It also ensures the removal of other undesirable material such as non-collagenous proteins, epidermis and cementing substances from the skin which may further boost the sodium sulfide market.
Processing applications may exceed $150 million by 2024. This product ensures that the ore surface is free from products of hydrophilic oxidation which is vital for successful ore flotation. It finds usage in the processing of various types of ores such as chalcopyrite, molybdenite, silver, and chromite which may enhance sodium sulphide market.
North America led by the U.S., Canada and Mexico was valued at $110 million in 2017. The region is witnessing rising demand for ferrous metals such as iron & steel along with non-ferrous metals such as zinc, copper & lead which has stimulated ore processing business growth. The product protects the ore surface from hydrophilic oxidation, thereby promoting ore flotation which may further accentuate the sodium sulfide market value.
Europe led by Germany, UK and France should witness gains of over 5% by 2024. This region has a strong leather processing industry which produces & exports various types of leather from livestock including calves, bovine, goat and sheep which caters to the garment, footwear and furniture businesses. This product enables the softening of tough leather and plays a vital role in processing animal skin which may boost the sodium sulfide market.
Asia Pacific led by China, India, and South Korea should reach $305 million by 2024. These countries face an increasing demand for designer leather bags, footwear, and accessories pertaining to rising disposable incomes, significant economic growth, and population rise. This product breaks down cystine bonds in the keratin of animal hair cortexes, ensuring effective hair removal during leather production and increasing the sodium sulfide industry demand.
Sodium Sulfide Market Share
Sodium sulfide market share is highly consolidated and some of the major industry participants include
Prominent manufacturers are focusing on technological advancements to ensure product quality and expanding production capacity to allow steady supply to customers and achieve competitive advantage.
Industry Background
Sodium sulfide (Na2S) is a hygroscopic yellow compound and a colorless water-soluble salt, which gives a strong alkaline solution. It is used in various applications including ore flotation, oil recovery, making dyes, detergents and leather processing. The growing leather industry segment for various products including commercial goods and consumer goods which further includes footwear, luggage, accessories, and belts may drive the sodium sulfide market outlook.
Sodium sulfide market report includes in-depth coverage of the industry, with estimates & forecast in terms of volume in Tons and revenue in USD from 2013 to 2024, for the following segments:
Click here to Buy Section of this Report
By Product
By Grade
By Application
The above information is provided on a regional and country basis for the following:
By Region
Research methodology, data sources & validation process
This report draws on a structured research process built around direct industry conversations, proprietary modelling, and rigorous cross-validation and not just desk research.
Our 6-step research process
1. Research design & analyst oversight
At GMI, our research methodology is built on a foundation of human expertise, rigorous validation, and complete transparency. Every insight, trend analysis, and forecast in our reports is developed by experienced analysts who understand the nuances of your market.
Our approach integrates extensive primary research through direct engagement with industry participants and experts, complemented by comprehensive secondary research from verified global sources. We apply quantified impact analysis to deliver dependable forecasts, while maintaining complete traceability from original data sources to final insights.
2. Primary research
Primary research forms the backbone of our methodology, contributing nearly 80% to overall insights. It involves direct engagement with industry participants to ensure accuracy and depth in analysis. Our structured interview program covers regional and global markets, with inputs from C-suite executives, directors, and subject matter experts. These interactions provide strategic, operational, and technical perspectives, enabling well-rounded insights and reliable market forecasts.
3. Data mining & market analysis
Data mining is a key part of our research process, contributing nearly 20% to the overall methodology. It involves analysing market structure, identifying industry trends, and assessing macroeconomic factors through revenue share analysis of major players. Relevant data is collected from both paid and unpaid sources to build a reliable database. This information is then integrated to support primary research and market sizing, with validation from key stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers, and associations.
4. Market sizing
Our market sizing is built on a bottom-up approach, starting with company revenue data gathered directly through primary interviews, alongside production volume figures from manufacturers and installation or deployment statistics. These inputs are then pieced together across regional markets to arrive at a global estimate that stays grounded in actual industry activity.
5. Forecast model & key assumptions
Every forecast includes explicit documentation of:
✓ Key growth drivers and their assumed impact
✓ Restraining factors and mitigation scenarios
✓ Regulatory assumptions and policy change risk
✓ Technology adoption curve parameter
✓ Macroeconomic assumptions (GDP growth, inflation, currency)
✓ Competitive dynamics and market entry/exit expectations
6. Validation & quality assurance
The final stages involve human validation, where domain experts manually review filtered data to identify nuances and contextual errors that automated systems might miss. This expert review adds a critical layer of quality assurance, ensuring data aligns with research objectives and domain-specific standards.
Our triple-layer validation process ensures maximum data reliability:
✓ Statistical Validation
✓ Expert Validation
✓ Market Reality Check
Trust & credibility
Verified data sources
Trade publications
Security & defense sector journals and trade press
Industry databases
Proprietary and third-party market databases
Regulatory filings
Government procurement records and policy documents
Academic research
University studies and specialist institution reports
Company reports
Annual reports, investor presentations, and filings
Expert interviews
C-suite, procurement leads, and technical specialists
GMI archive
13,000+ published studies across 30+ industry verticals
Trade data
Import/export volumes, HS codes, and customs records
Parameters studied & evaluated
Every data point in this report is validated through primary interviews, true bottom-up modelling, and rigorous cross-checks. Read about our research process →