Middle East and Africa Insoluble Sulfur Market for Automotive Sector – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030

Middle East and Africa Insoluble Sulfur Market for Automotive Sector Market Analysis and Size

Data Bridge Market Research analyzes that the Middle East and Africa insoluble sulfur market for automotive sector is expected to reach USD 24,480.74 thousand by 2030 from USD 16,771.78 thousand in 2022, growing with a substantial CAGR of 4.9% in the forecast period of 2023 to 2030.  

The Middle East and Africa Insoluble Sulfur Market for Automotive Sector report provides details of market share, new developments, and the impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, products approvals, strategic decisions, product launches, geographic expansions, and technological innovations in the market. To understand the analysis and the market scenario, contact us for an analyst brief. Our team will help you create a revenue-impact solution to achieve your desired goal.

Market Definition

Insoluble Sulfur (IS) is a form of sulfur polymer that is insoluble in CS2 and works well as a vulcanizing agent for rubber. It comes in two types, that is, oil-filled and non-oil-filled. It is a crucial component of rubber additives. It raises the level of wearability and fatigue and aging resistance for products. In addition to being generally accepted as the best vulcanizing agent, it is also utilized in the production of latex, all types of automotive rubber components, rubber pipe, shoes, cable and wire insulating materials, and belt tires. As a result, IS, which has the property of not blooming, is frequently employed in the production of radial rubber and other synthetic rubber products, as well as in the production of light-colored rubber products where common sulfur is present in considerable proportions.

Middle East and Africa Insoluble Sulfur Market for Automotive Sector Market Dynamics

This section deals with understanding the market drivers, opportunities, restraints, and challenges. All of this is discussed in detail as below:

Drivers

• Manufacturing and Sales of Tires Around the World Makes Use of Insoluble Sulfur Extensively

The demand for convenient and low-maintenance tire replacements has risen as a result of the increasing number of on-road vehicles and the distance that they travel. As a result, tire production, sales, and demand are all mostly rising globally. Consequently, there is a growing need for efficient tires. In the rubber industry, insoluble sulfur is primarily utilized as an accelerator and vulcanization agent. It makes it possible for the rubber to adhere more firmly, prevents the rubber from disintegrating, and increases resistance to heat and tire wear. For these reasons, it is a crucial raw material in the manufacture of tires. As a result, the production of tires makes substantial use of insoluble sulfur. Furthermore, the demand, manufacturing, and sales of the tire have the potential to be a major driving force in the market expansion.

• Worldwide Increase in the Number of On-Road Vehicles Utilization

The automotive industry, a key economic indicator, is on the verge of significant technological advancements. The car industry is currently being driven by customers' demands for distinctive and expensive features. The automotive industry has the potential to stimulate activity and create jobs in various spheres of the economy, including the production of automobiles, tires, accessories, logistics, trade, and financial services. Growing urbanization, population growth, rising disposable income, and the ease of obtaining credit and finance are the main drivers of the automobile industry's expansion. Globally, customers use all-purpose vehicles such as passenger cars, trucks, electric cars, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers, which is propelling the market growth. The need for new tires and convenient, low-maintenance tire replacements has surged as a result of rising auto sales and the world's increasing number of on-road automobiles. As a result, it will considerably boost tire manufacturing and consumption. As the primary curing ingredient used in the production of rubber and tires is insoluble sulfur, the automobile industry has the potential to be a major driving force in the market expansion.

Opportunity

• New Product Innovation and Increasing R&D Activities

The insoluble sulfur stops the rubber in the surrounding rubber layer from moving. The migration speed of regular sulfur is particularly high in rubber compounds made of cis rubber and butyl rubber; however, this may be prevented by adding insoluble sulfur. The curing process is sped up. A step known as activation, or chain depolymerization, occurs when the vulcanization temperature is achieved. This stage accelerates vulcanization and lowers sulfur content.

Even while insoluble sulfur has a lot of advantages, it also has certain disadvantages, such as the use of dangerous chemicals, complicated processes, and a high amount of sulfur and carbon sulfide. Manufacturers need to increase investment and expertise in R&D, develop new products for existing lines, build new facilities, collaborate with other players, and launch new products to overcome these drawbacks.

Furthermore, the company can invest money and do R&D regarding environmentally friendly green technology, and innovate more efficient products, which is expected to create an excellent opportunity for market growth.

Restraint/Challenge

• Stringent Rules and Regulations

Increasing concern about the use of hazardous chemicals in its manufacturing process has led to strict rules and regulations being applied to the insoluble sulfur sector. These guidelines and laws cover the use of specific chemicals as raw materials, including sulfur, carbon disulfide, and hydrocarbon oil. Further, the rules and regulations made for the rubber products such as tires also play a major role as restraining factors.

Even though these stringent rules and regulations are essential for the reduction of environmental health concerns, they will intrude with the usage of raw materials, chemicals, production processes, and technologies. As a consequence of this, manufacturers will be forced to take the respective steps which may lead to an increase in production price and investments required, which in turn, will affect the insoluble market by increasing its product cost.

Synthetic rubber manufacturing and usage have a negative impact on the environment due to energy use, the use of fossil fuels as raw materials, CO2 emissions into the air and water, and waste products. These substances are not readily biodegradable, therefore when wastewater is dumped into water, it can deplete the ocean's oxygen content and raise the amount of poisons that can harm marine life.

Tires do not break down. Tires may leak chemicals into the air, ground, and water that can disrupt the ecosystem when they accumulate in landfills or junkyards. In the event of the tire catching fire, poisonous black smoke may be released into the atmosphere. Many chemicals used in tire manufacturing are carried in this smoke. The majority of tire materials come from fossil fuels. They are extremely combustible and difficult to extinguish once they catch fire. A modest mound of burning tires may continue to burn for months before running out of fuel.

Recent Developments

• In October 2022, China Sunsine Chemical Holdings introduced the MBT project which involves new technology that helps them to increase their production phase-wise to meet their demands.
• In May 2022, FLEXSYS’s business went to Hannover, Germany's "Tire Technology Expo 2022". This would demonstrate the new technological developments in the insoluble sulfur market and would also improve the company's reputation in the marketplace.
• In December 2021, OCCL started its first phase of expansion of insoluble sulfur production capacity, which is 5,500 MTPA. These IS products are sold under the name “DIAMOND SULF” mainly as vulcanizing agents in the tire industry.
• In November 2021, One Rock Capital Partners, LLC, a value-driven, operationally focused private equity firm, announced today that one of its affiliates has successfully completed the previously announced acquisition of Eastman Chemical Company's tire additives business, FLEXSYS. Eastman Chemical Company is a leader in essential specialty chemicals for the tire industry with a global asset footprint and top-notch technical services.

Middle East and Africa Insoluble Sulfur Market for Automotive Sector Market Scope

The Middle East and Africa insoluble sulfur market for automotive sector is segmented into three notable segments based on grade, product, and application. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyze major growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to make strategic decisions to identify core market applications.

Grade

• Regular Grades
• High Dispersion Grades
• High Stability Grades
• Special Grades

On the basis of grade, the market is segmented into regular grades, high dispersion grades, high stability grades, and special grades.

Product

• Oil Filled Insoluble Sulfur
• Non-Oil Filled Insoluble Sulfur

On the basis of product, the market is segmented into oil filled insoluble sulfur and non-oil filled insoluble sulfur.

Application

• Tire
• Non-Tire

On the basis of application, the market is segmented into tire and non-tire.

Middle East and Africa Insoluble Sulfur Market for Automotive Sector Regional Analysis/Insights

The Middle East and Africa insoluble sulfur market for automotive sector is segmented into three notable segments based on grade, product, and application.

The countries covered in this market report are Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Rest of Middle East and Africa. 

United Arab Emirates is expected to dominate the Middle East and Africa insoluble sulfur market for automotive sector due to the increasing need for IS in the rubber industry as a vulcanizing agent.

The country section of the report also provides individual market-impacting factors and changes in market regulation that impact the current and future trends of the market. Data point downstream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends, Porter's five forces analysis, and case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of regional brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, the impact of domestic tariffs, and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.   

Competitive Landscape and Middle East and Africa Insoluble Sulfur Market for Automotive Sector Share Analysis

The Middle East and Africa insoluble sulfur market for automotive sector competitive landscape provides details of competitors. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, production sites and facilities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product trials pipelines, product approvals, patents, product width and breadth, application dominance, and technology lifeline curve. The above data points provided are only related to the companies’ focus related to the market.

Some of the major market players operating in this market are Grupa Azoty, SHIKOKU CHEMICALS CORPORATION (a subsidiary of SHIKOKU KASEI HOLDINGS CORPORATION), FLEXSYS, Lions Industries s.r.o, China Sunsine Chemical Holdings, Oriental Carbon and Chemicals Limited, LANXESS, Joss Elastomers & Chemicals, SANSHIN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO., LTD., Leader Technologies Co., Ltd, and WUXI HUASHENG RUBBER TECHNICAL CO., LTD among others.

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