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Published: August 2012
Globally, sodium sulfate is consumed primarily in detergents, textile dyeing and printing, glass production, and kraft pulping operations. Detergent applications have shown steady growth, especially in developing countries, but pulp and paper applications have declined as a result of technology changes and product substitution, as well as increased environmental legislation.
China is the largest producer and exporter of sodium sulfate. Mirabilite ore is a major source of natural sodium sulfate in China. The total mirabilite resource is estimated to be over 30 billion metric tons, with proven reserves approaching 18 billion metric tons, spread over more than 100 fields in thirteen provinces. The largest deposits are in salt lakes in Qinghai and Sichuan provinces. Production of anhydrous sodium sulfate is concentrated in Shanxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang Uygur and Inner Mongolia. China's production, consumption and exports of sodium sulfate have been increasing significantly in the past few years. In 2011, China represented more than three-fourths of global capacity and more than 70% of global production.
The following pie chart shows consumption of sodium sulfate by major region:
China accounts for an estimated 65% of the market. Europe accounts for slightly over 8%. Exports from China have increased by more than 50% since 2005, with over two-thirds going to locations other than Asia. Brazil and Argentina are becoming significant consumers in Latin America, as are Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Republic of Korea in Asia.
The Chinese market for sodium sulfate is growing at over 2–3% annually. China has the world's largest reserves of mirabilite and has been building and expanding capacities to meet global demand. As production costs are relatively lower than the rest of the world, China has become the major supplier of sodium sulfate for global consumption.
Global demand is expected to exhibit growth of 2–3% per year in the near future as exports to Central and South America increase to satisfy the expanding demand for powdered detergents. A similar growth pattern is also expected in Asia and other developing countries. Growth in developing countries, where dry powder is typically used instead of liquid detergents, is expected to be above GDP levels. The current market in North America is balanced to slightly tight.
Mexico has been a developing market for sodium sulfate lately, mostly as a result of demand from the detergent sector. Along with production, exports to South America grew steadily until 2005. However, with increasing domestic demand, Mexican exports have been declining and imports have been increasing for the past three to four years. Liquid cleaners have not taken hold in the Mexican market and powder continues to dominate, resulting in the use of more sodium sulfate. Also, with Chinese textile companies facing increasing costs for wages, some textile operations have returned to Mexico and this trend is expected to continue. As a result, sodium sulfate consumption in this market segment is expected to continue to grow.