Roskill Information Services: LCD Screens Continue to Drive Iodine Demand
LONDON, July 13, 2010--
- Iodine: Global Industry Markets and Outlook (10th edition, 2010)
Global demand for iodine, an essential component in the manufacture of
optical polarising film (OPF) for LCD screens, grew by almost 6%py between
2000 and 2008. Recession-proof human health applications, such as X-ray
contrast media, biocides, nutrition and pharmaceuticals, provided a buffer
against the impact of the global economic downturn on the iodine market,
however its industrial uses were not immune and overall demand declined by
12% in 2009.
Increased demand from Asia, where consumption rose by 15%py from 2000 to
2009, has been the key driver for growth. Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and,
more recently, China have become leading centres of OPF manufacture, with
companies like Nitto Denko, Sumitomo and LG Chem serving local LCD screen
manufacturers. Demand for iodine in the manufacture of OPF has increased by
22%py since 2000 and now accounts for 12% of total consumption.
Rising GDP in China, and other Asian countries, has meant increased
spending on human health related products, boosting iodine consumption in
X-ray contrast media, biocide and pharmaceuticals. Meanwhile, expansion in
manufacturing output has led to growth in industrial uses for iodine, such as
catalysts. In industrialised economies, however, demand for iodine has been
flat or shown only a slight improvement due to the maturity of iodine
products in the market and limited OPF capacity.
Future demand for iodine, forecast to grow at 3.5%py over the next five
years, will continue to be led by OPF for LCD screens. X-ray contrast media
for radiology and biocides for human health are also likely to show strong
growth. Emerging economies will provide the best opportunities for iodine
demand growth, while the outlook in developed economies is more uncertain as
recovery from the global economic downturn becomes more protracted.
World production of iodine remains highly concentrated in Chile and
Japan, with SQM, Cosayach, Ise Chemicals and Godo Shigen accounting for
around two-thirds of installed capacity and a similar level of production.
The relative ease of processing caliche with high iodine content in Chile,
and iodine-rich brines associated with natural gas extraction in Japan, are
the main factors contributing to the leading position of these two countries
in world iodine supply. Smaller amounts of iodine are also extracted from
brines in the USA and the CIS.
Volumes of secondary iodine, sourced mainly from recycling waste OPF
films and used X-ray contrast media, is growing. However, much of this
material remains in a closed-loop between end-users and crude iodine
producers, or is recycled by the end-users themselves. Secondary iodine is
estimated to have accounted for around 14% of total supply in 2009, up from
9% in 2006.
China has limited iodine resources with almost all production coming as a
by-product of seaweed processing, a technique long abandoned in the west.
Production from phosphate rock has been commercialised in recent years, but
it is unlikely that China's output of crude iodine will increase appreciably
in the future. Producers in Chile, Japan, the USA and the CIS are likely to
take advantage of China's domestic supply shortfall to boost iodine export
sales. China, and other emerging market, demand growth will continue to be
the stimulus for capacity expansions worldwide.
Since 2000, over 10,000tpy of new iodine capacity has been opened in
Chile, with smaller amounts added in the USA, Azerbaijan, Iran and China.
Total world capacity increased by only 8,700tpy however, as several plants
have also been closed. Future expansion is dominated by plans to expand
capacity in these same countries, most notably in Chile and the USA.
Crude output of iodine increased by 10,300t between 2000 and 2009, faster
than the rise in new capacity, meaning available capacity became tight
towards the end of the decade. Utilisation rates at iodine plants increased
and, combined with higher input costs, falling stock levels and surging
demand, prices increased almost two-fold. Despite the downturn in demand in
2009, prices have stayed buoyant, mainly as a result of the small number of
producers controlling much of the world's iodine supply.
Iodine: Global industry markets and outlook (10th edition, 2010) is
available at GBP2500 / US$5000 / EUR4000 from Roskill Information Services
Ltd, 27a Leopold Road, London SW19 7BB, England. Tel: +44-20-8944-0066. Fax
+44-20-8947-9568 Email: info@roskill.co.uk Web: http://www.roskill.com/iodine
Note to editors
The report contains 254 pages, 133 tables and 100 figures. It provides a
detailed review of the industry, with subsections on the activities of the
leading producing companies. It also analyses consumption, trade and prices.
For further information or a review copy of this report, please contact
Robert Baylis (robert@roskill.co.uk). To receive press releases via email,
please contact Prakash Ramachandran (prakash@roskill.co.uk).
Table of Contents
1 Summary 1
2 Properties of iodine 7
3 Reserves of iodine 8
3.1 Iodine reserves in Chile 8
3.2 Iodine reserves in Japan 9
3.3 Iodine reserves in the USA 10
3.4 Iodine reserves in Azerbaijan 10
3.5 Iodine reserves in Turkmenistan 11
3.6 Iodine reserves in Russia 11
3.7 Iodine reserves in Indonesia 12
3.8 Iodine reserves in Uzbekistan 12
4 Mining and processing of iodine and iodine derivatives 13
4.1 Mining and processing of caliche and repasos deposits 13
4.2 Extraction of iodine from brines 13
4.2.1 Blowing-out process 14
4.2.2 Carbon absorption process 15
4.2.3 Ion-exchange process 15
4.2.4 Other methods for extracting iodine from brine 17
4.3 Extraction of iodine from seaweed 17
4.4 Specifications of iodine 17
4.5 Iodine derivatives 19
4.5.1 Inorganic iodine compounds 19
4.5.2 Organic iodine derivatives 20
5 Crude iodine and iodine derivative production capacity 22
5.1 Crude iodine production capacity by country 22
5.2 Crude iodine production capacity by company 22
5.3 Changes in crude iodine production capacity 26
5.4 Secondary iodine production capacity by company 27
5.5 Corporate control of iodine capacity 28
5.6 Iodine derivative capacity by country and company 32
6 Production of iodine 35
6.1 Production of crude iodine by country 35
6.2 Reported production of crude iodine by company 37
6.3 Secondary iodine production by country 37
7 Review of iodine and iodine derivative producers
by country 39
7.1 Azerbaijan 39
7.1.1 Producers of crude iodine in Azerbaijan 39
7.1.2 Former producers of crude iodine in Azerbaijan 40
7.1.3 Exports of iodine from Azerbaijan 40
7.2 Belarus 41
7.3 Belgium 41
7.3.1 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in Belgium 43
7.3.1.1 Omnichem 43
7.3.2 Traders in iodine and iodine derivatives in Belgium 43
7.3.3 Belgium trade in iodine derivatives 44
7.4 Brazil 45
7.4.1 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in Brazil 46
7.4.2 Brazilian trade in iodides and iodide oxides of metals 47
7.5 Canada 49
7.5.1 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in Canada 50
7.5.1.1 BGR Chemical Products Incorporated 50
7.5.1.2 Caledon Laboratory Chemicals 50
7.5.2 Canadian trade in iodides and iodide oxides of metals 51
7.6 Chile 52
7.6.1 Producers of iodine in Chile 52
7.6.1.1 SQM 54
7.6.1.2 Compania de Salitre y Yodo de Chile (Cosayach) 60
7.6.1.3 ACF Minera Limitada 61
7.6.1.4 Atacama Minerals Corporation 62
7.6.2 Potential iodine projects in Chile 64
7.6.3 Traders of iodine in Chile 64
7.6.4 Exports of iodine from Chile by region 65
7.6.5 Exports of iodine from Chile by country 65
7.6.6 Exports of iodine from Chile by company 66
7.6.7 Apparent consumption of iodine in Chile 67
7.6.8 Producers of iodine derivatives products in Chile 68
7.6.8.1 Ajay-SQM Chile SA 68
7.6.8.2 Iodinex Quimica Chile Limitada 70
7.6.9 Exports of iodine derivatives from Chile 70
7.7 China 75
7.7.1 Producers of crude iodine in China 75
7.7.1.1 Shandong Jiejing Group Corporation 76
7.7.1.2 Giant & Trust Trade Company Limited 77
7.7.1.3 Qingdao Jiaonan Bright Moon Seaweed Industrial Company
Limited 77
7.7.1.4 Qingdao Nanshan Seaweed Company Limited 77
7.7.1.5 Qingdao Zemu Chemical Company Limited 77
7.7.1.6 Qingdao Lunda Seaweed Industry Company Limited 77
7.7.1.7 Guizhou Wengfu (Group) Company Limited 78
7.7.1.8 Ganyu Hongyuan Seaweed Industrial Company Limited 78
7.7.1.9 Lianyungang Longyuan Seaweed Company Limited 78
7.7.1.10 Lianyungang Zhongda Seaweed Industrial Company Limited 78
7.7.1.11 Shandong Chengwu Tianyuan Seaweed Industrial Company
Limited 78
7.7.1.12 Tianyu Seaweed Company 79
7.7.1.13 Qingdao Fuhua Seaweed Company Limited 79
7.7.1.14 Qingdao Gather Great Ocean Seaweed Industry Company
Limited 79
7.7.1.15 Qingdao Leyoung Seaweed Industrial Company Limited 79
7.7.1.16 Qingdao Liyang Seaweed Industrial Company Limited 79
7.7.1.17 Qingdao Nanyang Seaweed Industrial Company Limited 79
7.7.1.18 Qingdao Shengyang Chemical Industrial Company Limited 80
7.7.1.19 Winterthur Lianyungang Fengtai Seaweed Company Limited 80
7.7.1.20 Lianyungang Defang Ocean Chemical Company Limited 80
7.7.1.21 Penglai Huaxiang Seaweed Industrial Corporation Limited 80
7.7.1.22 Daishan Jili Seaweed Company Limited 80
7.7.1.23 Qingdao Dingli Seaweed Company Limited 80
7.7.1.24 Yantai Xingfu Seaweed Industry Company Limited 81
7.7.1.25 Yantai Xinwang Seaweed Industry Company Limited 81
7.7.1.26 Tianjin Wuyang Seaweed Products Factory 81
7.7.1.27 Lianyungang Changhao Sodium Alginate Company Limited 81
7.7.1.28 Qingdao Haihua Chemicals Company Limited 81
7.7.1.29 Qingdao Yulong Algae Company Limited 81
7.7.2 Imports of iodine into China 82
7.7.3 Apparent consumption of iodine in China 82
7.7.4 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in China 83
7.7.4.1 Hangzhou Sunflower Technology Development Company Limited 84
7.7.4.2 Nanhang Industrial Company Limited 84
7.7.4.3 Zigong City Jindian Chemical Company Limited 84
7.7.4.4 Chongqing Xinyuanxing Pharmaceutical Company Limited 84
7.7.4.5 Zhejiang Hichi Pharmaceutical Company Limited 84
7.7.4.6 China Fluoro Technology Company Limited 85
7.7.4.7 Chongqin Lianhua Chemical Factory 85
7.7.4.8 Fujian Shaowu Yongfei Chemical Company Limited 85
7.7.4.9 Huanghua Jinhua Additives Company Limited 85
7.7.4.10 Jindian Chemical Company Limited 85
7.7.4.11 Pkutop Parmaceutical Company Limited 86
7.7.4.12 Shanghai CarFluor Chemicals Company Limited 86
7.7.4.13 Shanghai Fchemicals Technology Company Limited 86
7.7.4.14 Shine Star (Hubei) Biological Engineering Company Limited 86
7.7.4.15 Other producers of iodine derivatives and products in China 86
7.7.5 Chinese trade in iodine derivatives 86
7.8 France 87
7.8.1 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in France 88
7.8.1.1 Ajay Europe SARL 88
7.8.1.2 Daikin Chemical France S.A.S 89
7.8.1.3 Simafex 89
7.8.2 French trade in iodine derivatives 89
7.9 Germany 91
7.9.1 Producers of secondary iodine in Germany 93
7.9.2 Former producers of secondary iodine in Germany 93
7.9.3 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in Germany 93
7.9.3.1 BASF Pharma Solutions 93
7.9.3.2 Chemetall GmbH 94
7.9.3.3 Honeywell Specialty Chemicals Seelze GmbH 94
7.9.3.4 Metall-Chemie Holding GmbH 94
7.9.3.5 Solvay Fluor und Derivate GmbH 94
7.9.3.6 Merck Schuchardt OHG 94
7.9.4 German trade in iodine derivatives 95
7.1 India 96
7.10.1 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in India 97
7.10.1.1 G. Amphray Laboratories 97
7.10.1.2 Calibre Chemicals Pvt Limited 98
7.10.1.3 Salvi Chemical Industries 98
7.10.1.4 Vishal Laboratories 99
7.10.1.5 Champa Purie-Chem Industries 99
7.10.1.6 Shree Bhavani Iodates 99
7.10.1.7 Adani Pharmachem Pvt Limited 99
7.10.1.8 Canton Laboratories Pvt Limited 99
7.10.1.9 Micron Laboratories 100
7.10.1.10 Prachi Pharmaceuticals Pvt Limited 100
7.10.1.11 Omkar Speciality Chemicals Pvt Limited 100
7.10.1.12 Samrat Pharmachem Limited 100
7.10.1.13 Samrat Remedies Limited 100
7.10.1.14 Triveni Chemicals 101
7.10.1.15 IRIS Pharmachem 101
7.10.2 Indian trade in iodine derivatives 101
7.11 Indonesia 102
7.11.1 Indonesian trade in iodine 103
7.12 Iran 103
7.13 Italy 104
7.13.1 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in Italy 105
7.13.1.1 Uquifa 105
7.13.2 Italian trade in iodine derivatives 105
7.14 Japan 105
7.14.1 Producers of iodine in Japan 106
7.14.1.1 Ise Chemicals Corporation 109
7.14.1.2 Godo Shigen Sangyo Company Limited 110
7.14.1.3 Kanto Natural Gas Development Company Limited (KNG) 110
7.14.1.4 Nihon Tennen Gas Company Limited 111
7.14.1.5 Nippoh Chemicals Company Limited 111
7.14.1.6 Inpex Corporation 112
7.14.1.7 Toho Earthtech Incorporated 112
7.14.1.8 Japan Energy Corporation 113
7.14.2 Iodine projects in Japan 113
7.14.3 Japanese trade in iodine 113
7.14.4 Apparent consumption of iodine in Japan 116
7.14.5 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in Japan 117
7.14.5.1 Daikin Industries 117
7.14.5.2 Kanto Denka Kogyo Company Limited 118
7.14.5.3 Mitsui and Company Limited 118
7.14.5.4 Tokyo Chemical Industry Company Limited (TCI) 118
7.14.6 Japanese trade in iodine derivatives 118
7.15 South Korea 120
7.15.1 Producers of iodine derivatives in South Korea 122
7.16 Mexico 122
7.16.1 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in Mexico 123
7.16.1.1 High Purity Mexico SA de CV 123
7.16.1.2 Uquifa 124
7.17 Netherlands 124
7.17.1 Dutch trade in iodine 124
7.17.2 Producers of iodine derivatives in the Netherlands 126
7.17.3 Dutch trade in iodine derivatives 126
7.18 Russia 127
7.18.1 Producers of iodine in Russia 127
7.18.1.1 Troitsky Iodine Plant 128
7.18.2 Former producers of crude iodine in Russia 129
7.18.3 Potential crude iodine projects in Russia 130
7.18.3.1 LLC AGM 130
7.18.3.2 JSC Arkhangelskgeoldobycha 130
7.18.3.3 JSC Surgutneftegaz 130
7.18.3.4 JSC Tyumeniodobrom 131
7.18.3.5 JSC Tobbi (Tobolsk Bromine Iodine Plant) 131
7.18.3.6 LLC GDK Astrakhangazprom 131
7.18.4 Russian trade in iodine 131
7.18.5 Apparent consumption of iodine in Russia 132
7.18.6 Russian trade in iodine derivatives 133
7.19 Spain 134
7.19.1 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in Spain 135
7.19.1.1 Uquifa 135
7.19.2 Spanish trade in iodine derivatives 136
7.2 Turkmenistan 137
7.20.1 Producers of crude iodine in Turkmenistan 137
7.20.1.1 JSC Turkmenhimiya State Concern 138
7.20.1.2 Joint Venture Senagatsuw 139
7.20.2 Exports of iodine from Turkmenistan 139
7.21 Ukraine 141
7.21.1 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in the
Ukraine 142
7.21.1.1 JSC NPO Iodobrom 142
7.21.1.2 JSC Shostkinsky 142
7.22 United Arab Emirates 142
7.23 United Kingdom 143
7.23.1 Producers of secondary iodine in the UK 144
7.23.2 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in the UK 144
7.23.2.1 William Blythe Limited 145
7.23.2.2 Archimica Gmbh 145
7.23.2.3 Celtic Chemicals 146
7.23.2.4 Johnson Matthey Catalysts 146
7.23.3 Distributors of iodine in the UK 146
7.23.4 UK trade in iodine derivatives 147
7.24 USA 148
7.24.1 Production of crude iodine in the USA 148
7.24.2 Producers of crude iodine in the USA 149
7.24.2.1 IOCHEM Corporation 149
7.24.2.2 Woodward Iodine Corporation (WIC) 150
7.24.2.3 Iofina plc 150
7.24.2.4 North American Brine Resources (NABR) 151
7.24.3 Secondary producers of iodine in the USA 152
7.24.4 Traders of iodine in the USA 152
7.24.5 US strategic stocks of iodine 152
7.24.6 US trade in iodine 153
7.24.7 Apparent consumption of iodine in the USA 154
7.24.8 Reported consumption of crude iodine in iodine
derivatives by product in the USA 155
7.24.9 Producers of iodine derivatives and products in the USA 157
7.24.9.1 Ajay North America LLC 157
7.24.9.2 Deepwater Chemicals Incorporated 157
7.24.9.3 Troy Corporation 158
7.24.9.4 H&S Chemical Company/Iofina Chemical Incorporated 158
7.24.9.5 IodiTech 159
7.24.9.6 Advance Research Chemicals Incorporated 160
7.24.9.7 Barker Industries Incorporated 160
7.24.9.8 BASF Pharma Solutions 160
7.24.9.9 Camphor Technologies Incorporated 160
7.24.9.10 Cooper Chemical Company 160
7.24.9.11 Geoliquids Incorporated 161
7.24.9.12 Honeywell International Incorporated 161
7.24.9.13 Sigma-Aldrich Company 161
7.24.9.14 Symbollon Pharmaceuticals Incorporated 161
7.24.9.15 Anbex Incorporated 161
7.24.10 US trade in iodine derivatives 162
7.25 Uzbekistan 164
8 International trade in iodine and iodine derivatives 165
8.1 Exports of iodine by region 165
8.1.1 South American exports of iodine 165
8.1.2 Asian exports of iodine 166
8.1.3 European exports of iodine 166
8.1.4 North American exports of iodine 167
8.2 Exports of iodine by producing country 167
8.3 Exports of iodine by country 168
8.4 Imports of iodine by region 170
8.4.1 European imports of iodine 171
8.4.2 North American imports of iodine 171
8.4.3 Asian imports of iodine 172
8.4.4 South American imports of iodine 172
8.5 Imports of iodine by country 172
8.5.1 Trade flow of iodine imports in 2009 174
8.6 Exports of iodides 176
8.6.1 Trade flow of iodide exports in 2009 177
8.7 Imports of iodides 178
9 Consumption of iodine 182
9.1 Consumption of iodine by region 182
9.2 Consumption of iodine by market 183
9.3 Applications for iodine by form 185
9.4 Future demand for iodine 185
10 Use of iodine in x-ray contrast media 189
10.1 Types of x-ray contrast media 189
10.2 Producers of iodine based x-ray contrast media 190
10.2.1 GE Healthcare 190
10.2.2 Covidien Limited 191
10.2.3 Bracco Group 191
10.2.4 Bayer Schering Pharma AG 192
10.2.5 Guerbet Group 192
10.2.6 Interpharma Praha (IPP) 193
10.2.7 Zhejiang Hichi Pharmaceutical Company Limited 193
10.3 Future demand for iodine in x-ray contrast media 194
11 Use of iodine in biocides 195
11.1 Antimicrobials 195
11.2 Pesticides 196
11.3 Future demand for iodine in biocides 197
12 Use of iodine in pharmaceuticals 199
12.1 Corticosteroids 199
12.2 Antiarrythmics 199
12.3 Methamphetamine 200
12.4 Radioactivity protection 200
12.5 Iodine radiopharmaceuticals 201
12.5.1 Producers of radioactive iodine products 201
12.5.1.1 Cardinal Health Incorporated 201
12.5.1.2 International Brachytherapy Bebig SA (IBt Bebig SA) 201
12.5.1.3 MDS Nordion 202
12.5.1.4 NTP Radiopharmaceuticals (Pty) Limited 202
12.6 Future demand for iodine in pharmaceuticals 203
13 Use of iodine in optical polarising film 204
13.1 Producers of optical polarising film (OPF) 204
13.1.1 Nitto Denko Corporation 206
13.1.2 Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited 206
13.1.3 LG Chemical Limited 206
13.1.4 Optimax Technology Corporation 206
13.1.5 Daxon Technology Incorporated 206
13.1.6 Sanritz Corporation 207
13.1.7 Samsung Group 207
13.1.8 Polatachno Company Limited 207
13.2 Future demand for iodine in optical polarising film 207
14 Use of iodine in animal nutrition 212
14.1 Future demand for iodine in animal nutrition 215
15 Use of iodine in heat stabilisers 216
15.1 Nylon production 216
15.1.1 World production of nylon 216
15.1.2 Producers of nylon 219
15.1.2.1 BASF 219
15.1.2.2 Rhodia Group 219
15.1.2.3 Arkema Group 219
15.1.2.4 Invista 219
15.1.2.5 DuPont 220
15.1.2.6 Honeywell 220
15.1.2.7 Ascend Performance Materials LLC 220
15.2 Tall oil production 220
15.2.1 Production of tall oil 221
15.2.2 Producers of tall oil and tall oil products 222
15.2.3 Future demand for iodine in heat stabilisers 223
16 Use of iodine in catalysts 224
16.1 Acetic acid production 224
16.1.1 Methanol-carbonylation process for producing acetic acid 224
16.1.2 Producers of acetic acid 225
16.1.3 Uses for acetic acid 226
16.2 Ziegler-Natta catalysts 227
16.2.1 Use of Ziegler-Natta catalysts in synthetic rubber
production 227
16.2.2 Production of synthetic rubber 228
16.2.3 World consumption of synthetic rubber 229
16.2.4 Markets for polybutadiene rubber (BR) 230
16.2.5 Use of Ziegler-Natta catalysts in polyethylene and
polypropylene production 233
16.2.6 Production and end uses of polyethylene 233
16.2.7 Production and end uses of polypropylene 235
16.3 Other catalytic applications 237
16.4 Future demand for iodine in catalysts 238
17 Use of iodine in fluorine derivatives 239
17.1 Iodine pentafluoride (IF5) 239
17.2 Perfluoroalkyl iodides 239
17.3 Future demand for iodine in fluorine derivatives 240
18 Use of iodine in human nutrition 241
18.1 Future demand for iodine in human nutrition 242
19 Use of iodine in other applications 243
19.1 Use of iodine in photography 243
19.2 Use of iodine in batteries 244
19.3 Use of iodine in fire extinguishers 245
19.4 Use of iodine in lamps 245
19.5 Use of iodine in metallurgy 245
19.6 Use of iodine in water treatment 245
20 Prices of iodine 246
20.1 Average value of iodine exports from Chile, Japan
and the USA 247
20.1.1 Average value of iodine exports from Chile 248
20.1.2 Average value of iodine exports from Chile by company 249
20.1.2.1 SQM 250
20.1.2.2 Cosayach 251
20.1.2.3 ACF Minera 251
20.1.2.4 Atacama Minerals 252
20.1.3 Average value of iodine exports from Japan 252
20.1.4 Average value of iodine exports from the USA 253
20.2 Outlook for iodine prices 253
Source: Roskill Information Services
For further information or a review copy of this report, please contact Robert Baylis (robert@roskill.co.uk). To receive press releases via email, please contact Prakash Ramachandran (prakash@roskill.co.uk).