Global Bromine Market Outlook to 2026

Globally produced bromine serves as a starting material for a variety of products. Bromine is actively used in various applications, from drugs and automotive tires to water cleaners, sanitizers, and additives. According to Publishers Research & Consulting, the global Bromine Market is expected to witness a considerable growth rate during the forecast period. The growing use of bromine in water disinfection is likely to be the driving factor in the coming years. Currently, the market is being driven by the consistent demand from flame retardant applications and growth in the demand for completion fluid in the oil and gas industry. However, environmental and health concerns related to bromine and its compounds are expected to hinder the market growth in the forecast period.

Elemental bromine (Br2), bromine monochloride (BrCl), hypobromous acid (HOBr), and Bromodimethylhydantoin are used as water disinfectants in several applications as a replacement to chlorine. Bromine is more potent than other halogens. The tolerance of Br-mediated disinfection to a broader range of pH and temperature than other halogens makes it an attractive choice for drinking water treatment. Bromine also does not lead to any health-related problems for individuals such as swimmers or lifeguards when they come in contact with disinfected water and is more effective than chlorine. In developed countries, with increased prosperity and leisure time, there is a growing demand for disinfectants for swimming pools and recreational water sources. Bromine at present is primarily used as an alternative disinfectant for swimming pools, spas, and cooling tower water, but not for municipal drinking-water, partly due to cost and partly to concerns about the formation of brominated disinfection by-products (DBPs). Bromine is not covered by regulations as a product for use in public pools; therefore, it can only be used in private pools and SPAs with a maximum limit of 0.4 ppm. Furthermore, bromine-containing compounds purify drinking water on navy ships & offshore oil rigs and industrial water in cooling towers, water recirculation systems, etc. Global warming, pollution of resources, unplanned growth, and social and political instabilities are some of the reasons negatively impacting the access to potable clean water. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 20% of the world's population uses unreliable drinking water. Nearly 200 million people are infected with water-related diseases annually, with more than two million deaths due to diseases related to contaminated waters. Research related to the use of bromine as water disinfection in the municipal water supply is undergoing. Clean water is necessary for healthy communities downstream, and multiple investments are being made in the sector. The consumption of bromine as a water disinfectant is expected to increase due to the growing concern of water cleanliness amid a rising population and pandemics such as COVID-19 that predominantly emphasize hygiene & cleanliness. Currently, the usage of bromine is not relatively high compared to its substitutes in the water treatment industry. However, due to the benefits such as high effectiveness in a wide range of pH values and high suitability for poor quality water, the adoption of bromine is likely to increase during the forecast period.

Bromine-based storage technologies are highly efficient and cost-effective electrochemical energy storage solutions. It provides a range of options to successfully manage energy from renewable sources, minimize energy loss, reduce overall energy use and cost, and safeguard supply security. Typical bromine-based flow batteries include zinc-bromine (Zn-Br) and, more recently, hydrogen bromide (HBr). The hydrogen/bromine flow battery is a promising candidate for large-scale energy storage due to its fast kinetics, highly reversible reactions, and low chemical costs. After years of research and development, electricity storage company Elestor is on the verge of introducing its revolutionary hydrogen bromine flow battery to the market. This technology is considered the next step in low-cost electricity storage at scale.

The global Bromine Market is segmented on the basis of derivatives and application. The Application segment is further segmented as Flame Retardants, Drilling & Completion Fluid, Biocides, Rubber Additive, Agrochemicals, and Others. Among several applications, flame retardants are the dominant market shareholder. Bromine and compounds of bromine derivatives slow down the spread of fire in cell phones, stereos, and other electronic equipment. Moreover, it is used in insulation, furniture, mattresses, fabrics, draperies, and carpeting. The production of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) is the most extensive application of bromine-based compounds and acquires nearly half of the market share in terms of global consumption. Nearly 90% of all electrical components contain flame retardants that are made with bromine. The presence of international and national fire safety regulations related to the use of flame retardants in multiple industries such as construction, transportation, and the electrical & electronics industry drives the use of bromine as a flame retardant rapidly.

There are mainly five classes of BFRs:

1. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) - plastics, textiles, electronic castings, circuitry.

2. Hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDDs) - thermal insulation in the building industry.

3. Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and other phenols - printed circuit boards, thermoplastics (mainly in TVs).

4. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) - consumer appliances, textiles, plastic foams.

5. Other brominated flame retardants.

According to Bromine Science & Environmental Forum (BSEF), TBBPA is the most widely used brominated flame retardant globally. More than 90% of TBBPA produced is used in the production of FR4 type printed wired boards. The remaining 10% of TBBPA produced is used in engineered plastics in electrical and electronics products. Many of the world's developed regions, such as Europe, have growing concerns related to environmental and toxicological effects of brominated flame retardants, which has led to the banning of specific compounds. BFRs face strict regulations in many countries globally. Hexabromocyclododecane, a very common flame retardant in insulation, textiles, and electronics, has been banned in certain regions such as Japan, the European Union, and Canada. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants has voted for a global ban of hexabromocyclododecane. Although the demand for bromine is going to be affected by the ban on certain BFRs due to environmental concerns, the global market will gain pace with substantial growth in the electronics industry. Due to the presence of BFRs in almost all electronic & electrical components, the consumption of BFRs is expected to grow in the foreseeable future.

Based on geography, the global Bromine Market is segmented into Asia Pacific, North America, South America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. In the Asia Pacific, the market for bromine manufacturing is highly consolidated in China. China is the world's third-largest bromine producer after Israel and the United States and produces nearly 120,000 metric tons/year of bromine. 98% of bromine is produced in five countries, namely Israel, the United States, China, Jordan, and Japan.

The United States is the world's largest economy. The country's GDP has decreased at an annual rate of 5% in the first quarter and 9.5% in the second quarter of 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, the economy expanded by an annualized 33.1% in Q3 2020. The United States is one of four leading bromine producers globally, along with some other market players like China, Israel, and Jordan. US, Jordan, and Israel produce more than three-quarters of the world's bromine. Most bromine extracted in the country is from underground brine deposits in Arkansas. The brines in Arkansas have bromine concentrations ranging from 3,000 to 5,000 parts per million (ppm) bromine. According to Industrial Minerals, the price for purified, bulk, 99.95% bromine on an ex-works U.S. basis ranges from USD 2.5 to USD 3 per pound in 2018. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the use and levels of bromine and its compounds in various industries, and adequate controls ensure bromine levels remain below the EPA food additive tolerance level. Due to domestic and international fire safety standards regulating the flammability of construction, home furnishing, and electronic products, BFRs account for the most massive consumption of bromine in the country. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2019, fire departments responded to an estimated 1,291,500 fires in the U.S. These fires caused an estimated 3,704 civilian deaths, 16,600 civilian injuries, and USD 14.8 billion in direct property damage. The demand for BFRs is anticipated to remain strong in the country in the forecasted period due to the possibility of more rigorous fire safety regulations and improvements in standards of living, and increasing demand for electronics. However, environmental and toxicological concerns regarding bromine and bromine compounds are a matter of concern. Under the CERCLA (Superfund) act of 1980 and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) of 1976, along with numerous state and local laws and regulations, bromine is classified as hazardous waste material. Similarly, the U.S. Clean Air act governing toxic substances identifies bromine as an inhalation hazard. Moreover, OSHA lists bromine as an air contaminant. The growing use of BFRs in the country due to growth in end-user industries such as construction, electronics, etc., will impact brominated compounds consumption in the country. The bromine market in the United States is expected to proliferate in the forecasted period.

The bromine market is highly consolidated, with four major key players such as Albemarle, Lanxess, ICL & Jordan Bromine holding nearly 90% of market shares.

On 31st Jul 2019, Albemarle announced an amendment to its definitive agreement with Mineral Resources Limited to form a Lithium joint venture in Western Australia.

Our Global Bromine Market report provides deep insight into the current and future state of the Bromine Market across various regions. The study comprehensively analyzes the Bromine Market by segments based on Derivative (OrganoBromine compounds, Bromide Salts and Hydrogen Bromide), by Application (Flame Retardants, Drilling & Completion Fluid, Biocides, Rubber Additive, Agrochemicals, and Others), and by Geography (Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle-East and Africa). The report examines the market drivers and restraints, along with the impact of Covid-19 are influencing the market growth in detail. The study covers & includes emerging market trend, market developments, market growth opportunities, market size, market analysis, market dynamics, and challenges in the industry. This report also covers extensively researched competitive landscape sections with profiles of major companies including their market share and projects.