Global Alunite Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth 2030

Alunite Industry Perspective:

The global alunite market size was worth around USD 153.2 Million in 2022 and is further expected to grow to around USD 180.4 Million by 2030, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% during the forecast period.

The report presents comprehensive projections on the growth factors, opportunities, and restraining factors. It also covers the geographical market along with comprehensive competitive landscape analysis.

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Global Alunite Market: Overview

Alunite is also referred to as hydroxylated aluminum potassium sulfate mineral. It is mined on a large scale to prepare alum. Alunite is manufactured from the action of sulphuric acids on potassium-rich feldspar. This process is called alunitization. Alunite is a prominent source of aluminum and potash, which is used for a wide range of applications like pharmaceutical and water treatment. Non-professionals also refer to alunite as alum stone. Alunite has been in use for different purposes for a very long time. It is also obtained from rock-forming sulfate mineral, which is found in volcanic rocks like andesites, trachytes, and rhyolites. It is formed by the chemical reaction of escaping sulfur from molten lava.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global alunite market is expected to grow annually at a promising CAGR of around 3.9% during the forecast period 2022-2030.
• In terms of revenue, the global alunite market size was valued at around 153.2 million in 2022 and is further expected to grow to around 180.4 million by 2030.
• Alunite is a mineral that is formed from the oxidation of sulfide minerals in the presence of potassium and water, and hence it is also referred to as hydroxylated aluminum potassium sulfate mineral. It is typically found in volcanic deposits and hydrothermal veins and can be mined for its economic value. The mineral is composed of potassium, aluminum, sulfur, and oxygen, and has a variety of industrial applications.
• Based on product, the potassium alunite segment held the largest market share in 2022.
• Based on end-user, the agriculture segment is predicted to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.
• Based on region, the Asia-Pacific region held the largest market share in 2022.

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COVID-19 Impact:

The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the growth trajectory of the global alunite market as due to the growing cases of coronavirus, governments all across the globe had announced national lockdowns, which also halted all operations and transportation activities worldwide.

Manufacturing units were shut down, and supply chain logistics were disrupted severely. Such a landscape has downgraded the growth trajectory of the global market. But with the upliftment of global lockdowns, the market is likely to foresee strong growth prospects in the forthcoming years. Market leaders are taking several initiatives to foster growth opportunities in the market. With the resumption of operations in the end-user sector of the alunite, the market is also likely to support the growth of the global alunite market in the forthcoming years.

Alunite Market: Growth Drivers

Growing requirements from the industrial and household sectors will drive the growth of the global market.

A large number of derivatives of alum are widely used in different applications in the household and industrial sectors. Potash alum is one such derivative that is largely used in the industrial and household segment. It helps in manufacturing perfumes and several other essential items. Potash alum also helps in purifying water, fireproofing textiles, leather tanning, dyeing, and many others. Additionally, it also finds a large number of applications in the cosmetics sector as a body deodorant or aftershave treatment.

Potash alum is a crucial member of the generic class of compounds named alums. However, from the industrial perspective, it is now manufactured by adding potassium sulfate to a concentrated aluminum sulfate solution. It is traded in the form of crystal and powder according to the requirements of the end-user sector. In the FMCG sector, alunite is used on the mass scale as pickling and fire-retardant. Also, owing to its versatility, the demand for alunite is constantly growing from other sectors also, including the cosmetic and personal care sector. It is used as a skin-bleaching agent and depilatory waxes. It is also used as an antiperspirant because it does not cause skin irritation, allergy, and the appearance of stains on clothes.

Alunite Market: Restraints

Risks and cautions with alunite are likely to restrain the growth of the global market.

The use of alunite in excessive amounts in different industrial applications can irritate skin and mucus membranes, which in turn poses several health risks. Such a landscape is likely to hamper the growth of the global market.

Alunite Market: Opportunities

Fast proliferating pharmaceutical sector is likely to open new avenues in the global market.

Alunite and its derivatives play a crucial role in manufacturing different chemicals, including flocculation, which is highly used to manufacture styptic pencils. It is applied to injuries and minor cuts to stop bleeding. Furthermore, it is used in manufacturing adjuvant – a chemical that boosts the immune response for vaccines.

Alunite Market: Challenges

Negative impact of mining on the environment is a huge challenge in the global market.

Environmentalists and government leaders are making initiatives to lower the impact of industrialization on the environment. Therefore, the recent prohibition associated with mining to avoid the undesirable and negative impact on the environment is likely to hamper the growth of the global market.

Alunite Market: Segmentation

The global alunite market can be segmented into end-user, product, and region.

Based on product, the market is segmented into potassium alunite and natroalunite. The potassium alunite segment held the largest market share in 2022 and is further expected to occupy a dominant market share and simultaneously cite a notable CAGR during the forecast period. The major reason for the growth of this segment is that potassium alunite is more common and widely used in the mineral industry. In addition, it is extensively used in the production of alumina and aluminum, as well as in water treatment, paper manufacturing, and other industrial applications, whereas, natroalunite is less commonly used and has a more limited range of applications. These factors drive the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

Based on end-user, the market is bifurcated into FMCG, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and others. The agriculture segment is predicted to grow at a notable CAGR during the forecast period. Alunite has several applications in the agriculture industry, primarily in the production of potassium sulfate fertilizer. Potassium sulfate, also known as sulfate of potash, is a key fertilizer used in agriculture to improve crop yields and quality. Potassium is one of the three essential macronutrients required by plants for growth, along with nitrogen and phosphorus. Potassium is important for plant growth and development, helping to regulate water balance and nutrient uptake. Deficiencies in potassium can result in reduced crop yields and quality. These factors drive the growth of the segment during the forecast period.

Alunite Market: Regional Landscape

Global market likely to be dominated by Asia Pacific during the forecast period

Asia Pacific accounts for the largest share of the global alunite market due to the growing investments to build wastewater treatment plants to reuse industrially processed water. Also, the government authorities are taking initiatives to provide safe and clean water to inhabitants, which will also complement the growth of the regional market.

North America is likely to register noteworthy growth in upcoming years due to the growing adoption of alunite in the pharmaceutical sector. Also, the presence of prominent market leaders in the region will further encourage the growth of the regional market.

Recent Developments

• In 2021, Gimpex, a dominant Indian alunite producer announced that they have partnered with OCI, an innovative Korean fertilizer company so to collaboratively produce and market potassium sulfate fertilizer.
• In 2021, Alunite Resources Inc. announced plans to start production of its new alunite mining project in Utah, USA.
• In 2019, American Pacific Borates, an eminent US-based company engaged in the exploration and development of mineral properties announced their strategic partnership with China National Machinery Industry International Co. Ltd. (Sinomach) to jointly develop and market borate and alumina products from AMPAC's Fort Cady borate and alunite deposit in California, USA.

Alunite Market Report Scope:

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Alunite Market: Competitive Landscape

Some of the significant players in the global alunite market include:

• Sun Minerals
• Pacer Corporation
• New Mont Corporation
• Alunite Gold
• American Pacific Corp.
• Bear Creek Mining Corporation
• Rio Tinto Group
• Goldrich Mining Company
• Alcoa Corporation
• Altair International Corp.
• Equinox Gold Corp.
• Spectrum Mine LLC
• Alunite Pretoria
• Baslini
• Det-Al Aluminum
• Det-Al Aluminum
• Lincoln.

Global alunite market is segmented as follows:

By End User

• FMCG
• Cosmetics
• Pharmaceuticals

By Product

• Potassium Alunite
• Natroalunite

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa