Stearates Market is expanding rapidly with Baerlocher expanding it production capacity with the addition of new 10,000 tons/year production line for metal stearates

 

As an important ingredient of polymeric and thermoform materials, metallic stearates are a vital material. Metallic stearate is a liquid oil-based compound that can be viscous, semi-viscous, oily, or crystal clear. The stearates and their relevant products have been witnessing robust demand from building and construction sector. Calcium stearate is typically used in waterproofing, while it is also used to prevent efflorescence. Generally, it is mixed with concrete and used in various construction activities including building, flooring, as well as in prefabrication sector. As India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) suggests, India is expected to become the world’s third-largest construction market by 2022, for which it will require US$ 777.73 billion investment across infrastructure for sustainable development. Such factors can stimulate growth of the stearates market in the near future.

Stearates has numerous industrial applications. They are commonly found as lubricating oils and solvents in the manufacture of rubber and plastic materials, as physical lubricants, heat, and moisture removing processes, as a reagent in the production of a range of polymers, as a component in the manufacture of polycarbonate and polyester resins, and as a component in an aqueous gel concrete construction. Another key application of stearate is in the pharmaceutical and medical devices industry. Typically, magnesium stearate is widely used as a lubricant during tablet compaction and capsule filling operations. It is a widely preferred product due to its low cost, high melting point, chemical stability, and high lubrication potential. Such advantages can augment growth of the stearates market in the near future.

Recently, in May 2019, Baerlocher expanded its production capacity with the addition of new 10,000 tons/year production line for metal stearates.

Several distinct varieties of the stearates family are present, and each has specific physical characteristics that make them unique. In addition to the common alkaline salts, there are two other forms non-volatile (table) and volatile (cross-linked). The volatile variety is commonly used for fuel blends and solvents, whereas the non-volatile types are more prevalent as lubricant additives. They are also used in the printing industry. The demand for stearates is increasing rapidly in emerging economies such as India and China. Since the key end-use industries including paint, construction, and plastic are expanding rapidly, the regional stearates market likely to bolster. China is a leading country when it comes to stearate consumption since there is higher demand for paints & coatings.  

That being said, there are various factors that can pose a negative impact on the development of the market in the discussion. Raw materials prices used for the production of stearate are constantly increasing, which increases the overall price of stearate. Besides, stringent government regulations on the use of stearates can potentially inhibit growth of the stearates market in the near future.