Research Overview
Use of Reducing Agents in the Cement Industry Likely to Impact Associated Application Markets
The new EU directive 2003/53/EC, effective as of January 2005, restricts the levels of soluble chromium (VI) in cement to below 2 parts per million (ppm). Cement producers carry the main responsibility for implementing this new directive as they need to ensure reducing agents are added early on in the production process in order to reduce the toxic chromium (VI) to its non-toxic chromium (III) form. Ferrous sulphate (FeSO4) is the predominant reducing agent employed by the cement industry, and the subsequent rise in demand is likely to have implications on other application markets such as water treatment, pigments, agriculture, steel and titanium dioxide (TiO2). Companies active in these markets need to align themselves with the changing conditions to deal with the new threats and opportunities created by this legislative change.
This Frost & Sullivan research service is a strategic impact assessment of the EU directive on chromium levels in cement. It gives a detailed insight into the recent legislative developments and provides impact assessments across all affected markets. Challenges, opportunities and threats are identified and market forecasts and strategic recommendations provided.
Increased Costs for Cement Producers
As well as investing in novel dosing equipment and the regular purchasing of reducing agent, cement producers need to label their products with packing date, storage conditions and storage period appropriate to maintaining the activity of the reducing agent used. These increased internal production costs can only be passed on to a limited extent to the end-customer; the fierce competition governing this mature marketplace restricts any significant price rises.
Opportunities for TiO2 Producers
The market for ferrous sulphate is largely dominated by producers of titanium dioxide (TiO2), who recover ferrous sulphate as a by-product from their production process. "Directive 2003/53/EC creates a highly attractive opportunity for TiO2 producers using the sulphate process to off-load large volumes of FeSO4 into the cement application, where it can command high prices and generate good revenues." notes analyst Evelyne Turmes.
Opportunities for Alternative Coagulants in the Water Treatment Market
Heightened demand for ferrous sulphate crystals is expected to lead to certain availability issues, which are likely to result in price increases. This in turn may ease the pricing pressure, which water treatment coagulants have found themselves under and raise margins for all other iron-based coagulants. Furthermore, a change in consumption patterns is expected to happen in the water treatment industry; rising prices for ferrous sulphate are likely to incentivise users of inorganic coagulants to switch to alternative, more performant coagulants.
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