Bleaching Clays Market

Bleaching Clays Market Size-2023-2028

The Bleaching Clay Market was valued at USD 0.9 billion in 2022. the market value is projected to reach USD 1.7 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2023 to 2028.

Bleaching Clays Market Overview:

Bleaching clay is a special kind of clay that can purify and remove color from fats and oils. It contains a material called montmorillonite, which helps it attract and remove unwanted substances like acids, sludge, and metals from oil. This clay is very good at cleaning oils and fats by taking out impurities like pigments, metals, and soaps. People have been using natural bleaching clays to refine edible oils since the early 1800s. When this clay goes through an activation process, it becomes even better at cleaning oils by removing things like carotenes, chlorophylls, and other impurities found in vegetable and mineral oils. This makes the oils look and taste better. The global market for bleaching clay includes companies that mine it to meet the increasing demand for edible and mineral oils. These companies have been increasing their production capacity in recent years.

Bleaching Clays Market Drivers:

Vegetable oils are becoming more popular in the food industry, especially among people following vegan diets. They are also used as dietary supplements for their health benefits. This increasing demand for vegetable oils is expected to drive the need for the bleaching clays market, which is used to purify and clean the oils. The beauty and personal care industry is also contributing to this demand for bleaching clay because of the growing online beauty spending, the popularity of new and high-quality products, and the rise of the upper-middle-class population. Overall, these factors are merely leveling up the bleaching clays market demand.

Bleaching Clays Market Restraints:

The growth and development of the bleaching clays market have been hindered by various restraints. One of the most significant factors hindering the bleaching clays market growth is the strict environmental and safety regulations that the industry has to comply with. Bleaching clays are used in different industrial processes, such as edible oil refining, and manufacturers have to adhere to these regulations, which can increase operational costs and complexities, thereby impacting the market's overall profitability. Another restraint is the fluctuating prices of raw materials used in the production of bleaching clays. The primary material, montmorillonite, and other minerals required for the manufacturing process may experience price variations due to factors such as supply-demand dynamics and geological factors. These fluctuations in raw material costs can impact the pricing and profit margins for companies in the bleaching clays market. Additionally, alternative technologies and materials have emerged as substitutes for bleaching clays, posing a challenge to the market's growth.

Bleaching Clays Market Opportunities:

The demand for edible oils has increased due to factors such as a growing global population, changing dietary preferences, and a greater awareness of healthy eating habits. The bleaching clays market plays a crucial role in refining and purifying these oils, making the market prime for growth. Advancements in technology and research have opened up opportunities for the development of more efficient and effective bleaching clay products. Manufacturers who invest in research and innovation can offer superior and advanced products to gain a competitive edge. While bleaching clays have traditionally been used in the food industry, there are emerging opportunities in non-food sectors such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and petrochemicals. As environmental concerns continue to grow, businesses seek eco-friendly and sustainable solutions. Bleaching clays are a natural and environmentally friendly option for oil refining, allowing manufacturers to align with the sustainability goals of their customers and attract environmentally conscious consumers. The increasing population, urbanization, and economic growth in developing regions create a growing market for processed food and consumer products that rely on refined oils. This presents an opportunity for the bleaching clays market to expand its presence and cater to the rising demands of the consumer base in these regions.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Bleaching Clays Market:

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the bleaching clays' market value. There were disruptions in the supply chain for many bleaching clay products due to the pandemic. Investment shifted towards the biodiesel sector to control the spread of the virus, and some manufacturing companies had to minimize or shut down their operations to protect their workforce. This hindered the demand and supply chain for bleaching clay. However, during the pandemic, there was an increased awareness of sustainable development and health, leading to higher production of vegetable oil and refined products. This, in turn, increased the demand for bleaching clay. While the economic slowdown affected various industries, market insight reports, and intelligence services provided by DBMR helped clients stay ahead of their competitors. They were able to project their sales and revenue and estimate their expenditures to adapt to the changing market conditions and restore growth during the forecast period.

BLEACHING CLAYS MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Key Developments in the Bleaching Clays Market

Clariant acquired Beraca, a Brazilian company that specializes in non-refined and processed oils for cosmetic use, in August 2021. This acquisition will enhance Clariant's Care Chemicals division, which includes beauty products.

Market Segmentation

Bleaching Clays Market By Type 

• Activated Bauxite Activated Clays
• Fuller's Earth

The bleaching clays market is dominated by activated bauxite, a versatile adsorbent material with multiple applications. Thermal-activated bauxite is commonly used in the refining of lubricant oils and waxes, while the activated form is utilized in the petrochemical industry to clarify and regenerate oils like aviation kerosene and paraffin. Additionally, our activated bauxite serves as a catalyst for a range of chemical reactions, including desulfurization, defluorination, cracking, dehydrogenation, and dehydration. It is also commonly employed as a desiccant to remove water in various chemical processes involving gases, vapors, and liquids.

Bleaching Clays Market By Application 

• Industrial Oil

• Mineral Oil

• Waxes

• Vegetable Oil

• Animal Fats

When it comes to the use of bleaching clays, the dominant application is for vegetable oil and animal fat purification. This is because bleaching clay is effective at removing contaminants from these oils during the purification process. Such oils contain pigments like chlorophylls and carotenoids, which, if not eliminated, can degrade the quality of the products. Additionally, it is crucial to get rid of oxidation compounds and undesirable fatty acids to ensure a longer shelf life for vegetable oils. Bleaching clays can effectively eliminate these contaminants and also improve the absorption of trace components, thus enhancing the efficiency of the refining process. During the refining process, there's usually a significant loss of vegetable oil due to minimal retention on the filter cake. However, by using natural bleaching clay, this loss can be minimized, and the filtration rate can be improved.

Bleaching Clays Market-By End-User Industry 

• Food and Beverage

• Cosmetics

• Personal Care

• Chemicals

The food and Beverage segment dominates the bleaching clays market and heavily relies on it. These clays are commonly used to purify and remove color from edible oils and fats. They play an essential role in eliminating impurities, pigments, and unwanted tastes from different types of vegetable oils, such as soybean oil, palm oil, and sunflower oil. Although bleaching clays are also utilized in the Cosmetics, Personal Care, and Chemical industries, their use in the Food and Beverage industry is more significant and widespread.

Bleaching Clays Market-By Region 

• North America

• Europe

• Asia Pacific

• Latin America

• Middle East and Africa

Asia Pacific dominates the bleaching clays market shares. It is the major market for bleaching clays due to its significant consumption and production. The food and beverage industry in the region is vast and growing, leading to a high demand for bleaching clays in the purification and refining of edible oils. Moreover, the Asia Pacific countries play a crucial role in the production of vegetable oils, where the use of bleaching clays is vital to maintain the quality and purity of these oils. Mineral oils and waxes usually contain impurities like phospholipids and metal traces, which increase the risk of contamination. Potassium, calcium, iron, aluminum, and copper are among the metal traces that degrade product quality. To purify mineral oils and wax products, refinement processes like FAME and HVO are used. The use of bleaching clay, along with traditional FAME and HVO techniques, helps to remove trace elements and contaminants associated with mineral oils and wax products. The demand for wax and wax products is increasing in China due to the rise in production and demand. This demand for the bleaching clays market is driven by industrial output, import and export, consumer consumption, and capital investment, making the bleaching clays market highly sought-after across Asia-Pacific.

Key Market Players in the Bleaching Clays Market

• Arkema S.A.

• Qingdao Qiancheng Minerals Co. Ltd.

• DuPont

• The W Clay Industries Sdn Bhd

• Taiko Clay Marketing Sdn Bhd

• Tianjin Yuanjing Bentonite Minchem Co. Ltd.

• Oil-Dri Corporation of America

• HRP Industries, 

• Ashapura Perfoclay Limited (APL)

• EP Minerals, 

• Clariant AG

• Musim Mas

• Refoil Earth Pvt. Ltd.

• AMC (UK) Ltd., 

• Sinoma Attapulgite Clay Co. Ltd.