Calcium Sulfate Market - Forecast(2024 - 2030)

The Calcium Sulfate Market size is estimated to reach US$3.5 billion by 2030, after growing at a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period 2024-2030. Calcium sulfate is an inorganic substance, also known as gypsum, that has relatively low toxicity and is available in solid form and in various particle sizes. The growing pulp & paper sector is driving the calcium sulfate market growth, to be utilized as a surface sizing agent and to be applied as a pigment to manufacture coated paper of high brightness and whiteness. Moreover, the increasing requirement for calcium sulfate as a desiccant in the anhydrite form in the pharmaceutical & healthcare industry and also as a calcium supplement, which is important for cell and bone growth, is anticipated to upsurge the growth of the calcium sulfate industry during the forecast period.

A significant trend involves the rising adoption of calcium sulfate as a soil amendment in agriculture for its role in improving soil structure and nutrient absorption. As sustainable practices gain prominence, the eco-friendly attributes of calcium sulfate, coupled with its versatile applications, position it as a key ingredient in the agriculture sector. The growing sustainability trend also acts as an opportunity for calcium sulfate as it is highly recyclable. It can be recycled in various applications, such as in the production of plaster, drywall, and agricultural amendments. This recyclability reduces the need for new raw materials, contributing to resource conservation.

The “Calcium Sulfate Market Report – Forecast (2024 - 2030)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the calcium sulfate industry.

By Form Type: Anhydrous and Hydrated.

By Grade: Technical Grade, Food & Pharma Grade and Others.

By Function: Coagulant, Thickening Agent, Excipient, Desiccant, Additive, Intermediate, Colorants, Coating Agent, Drying Agent, Anti-Caking Agent and Others.

By End-use Industry: Food & Beverages, Cosmetic & Personal Care, Pulp & Paper, Building & Construction (Residential, Commercial, Industrial, Infrastructure), Chemical & Petrochemical, Pharmaceutical & Healthcare, Agriculture, Mining and Others.

By Geography: North America (the USA, Canada and Mexico), Europe (the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Rest of South America), Rest of the World (the Middle East and Africa).

• The Asia-Pacific region dominates the Calcium Sulfate market owing to the rising construction demand.

• Rapidly rising demand for Calcium Sulfate in the pulp & paper industry as a surface sizing agent and to be applied as a pigment to manufacture coated paper of high brightness and whiteness, has driven the growth of the calcium sulfate market.

• The increasing demand for Calcium Sulfate in the pharmaceutical & healthcare sector, due to its usage as a calcium supplement, has been a critical factor driving the growth of the calcium sulfate market in the upcoming years.

The anhydrous form segment held the largest Calcium Sulfate market share in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period 2024-2030. The anhydrous form is a fine white odorless powder or crystalline solid. It is employed in a large number of applications such as in the production of cement and as a filler in paper production. The anhydrous form of calcium sulfate, when utilized as a filler in pulp & paper production, enhances the quality of paper and makes it firmer, brighter and easier to draw, print and write on. Also, the anhydrous or anhydrite form of calcium sulfate can be used as a desiccant in the healthcare sector such as in dentistry. Thus, all these exhibit characteristics of the anhydrous form of calcium sulfate make it a preferred choice over the other forms of calcium sulfate which is driving its segmental growth.

The building & construction industry held a significant Calcium Sulfate market share in 2023 and is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030. In the building & construction industry, calcium sulfate is utilized as an additive in aerated blocks, as a shrinkage reducing agent and in cement mixtures. It is used as a raw material for manufacturing various construction products such as plasters, drywall and other products. The building and construction industry is growing, for instance, according to the U.S Department of Commerce, the privately owned housing units authorized by building permits in March 2022 were around 1,873,000 which is 0.4% above February 2022 of 1,865,000 units and is 6.7% above March 2021 of around 1,755,000 units. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s construction output is estimated to be worth approximately US$4.9 trillion in 2022, up by 3.8% over 2021. China plans to invest US$1.43 trillion in key construction projects as part of its 14th five-year plan. Thus, the growing building and construction industry will require more calcium sulfate due to their exhibit characteristics, which will drive the demand for the calcium sulfate market growth during the forecast period.

Asia-Pacific region held the largest Calcium Sulfate market share in 2023 up to 43%, due to the increasing requirement for calcium sulfate in developing countries such as China, Japan, India and South Korea. China is expected to continue its dominance in the calcium sulfate market during the forecast period. This is due to the growth of the building & construction industry in the region. The Japanese construction industry is expected to boom as the World Expo will be hosted in Osaka, Japan in 2025. The six-month event is estimated to attract some 30 million people and generate $15 billion in revenue. According to the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, Cambodia's construction sector attracted a total investment of $2.27 billion in the first five months of 2023, a year-on-year increase of 138%. According to Invest India, by 2025, the building and construction industry is estimated to reach US$1.4 trillion. Such increasing building & construction activities in the APAC countries are anticipated to increase the demand for calcium sulfate as an additive, reducing and drying agent in the forecasted period and are proving to be a market booster for the calcium sulfate market size in this region.

The pulp & paper industry utilizes Calcium Sulfate as a surface sizing agent for papers in paperboard mills. It can be applied as a pigment to manufacture coated paper of high brightness and whiteness. The pulp & paper industry is growing, for instance, according to the China Paper Association, China’s total pulp production reached 85.87 million tons in 2022, an increase of 5.01% over 2021. In terms of demand, China consumed around 112.95 million tons of pulp in 2022, an increase of 2.59% from 2021. Additionally, according to Invest India, India’s paper and paperboard market is estimated to grow at 6-7% per annum. The per capita consumption of paper in India is 15kgs. The Indian packaging market was is expected to reach US$204.81 billion by 2025. Specialty paper manufacturer, Nordic Paper has announced its plans to invest $78 million at the Bäckhammar pulp and paper production mill in Värmland, Sweden. Thus, the growing pulp & paper industry will require more calcium sulfate as a surface sizing agent, which will drive the calcium sulfate industry growth during the forecast period. 

The pharmaceutical & healthcare sector utilizes Calcium Sulfate, also known as gypsum, as a calcium supplement, which is important for cell and bone growth and as a whitening or coloring agent. It provides a natural organic excipient with essential calcium nutrients and also used as a desiccant in the anhydrite form. Calcium sulfate creates an inexpensive binder, filler, coating, disintegrant or bulking agent for tablets and capsules, decreasing the requirement for synthetic polymers and other non-organic agents. It is also used in toothpaste, powders, creams and other healthcare products. An increasing portion of the population utilizes dietary supplements regularly; 77% of Americans, according to a US poll, regularly take such products. The most commonly taken vitamins are Vitamin D, C, and multivitamins as well as minerals like Calcium and Iron are also very popular among consumers. Thus, the growing pharmaceutical & healthcare sector will increase the demand for calcium sulfate as a calcium supplement and is anticipated to drive the growth of the market over the forecast period.

Calcium sulfate, also known as gypsum, has a lot of applications in various industries, however, it causes health effects as well. Acute exposure to calcium sulfate can create redness and itching of the eyes, sore throat, runny nose and irritation of the skin and respiratory tract. Calcium sulfate causes irritation to the mucous membrane and can impair the sense of smell and taste and even can cause nose bleeding. It can also create pulmonary nodular fibrosis. Its high intake can cause constipation and can also hinder the absorption of iron and zinc in the body. Moreover, in the supplements form, calcium sulfate can create a risk of kidney stones, cardiovascular diseases and prostate cancer on high intake. Thus, the health effects associated with calcium sulfate will create hurdles to the growth of the calcium sulfate market.

Technology launches, acquisitions and R&D activities are key strategies players adopt in the Calcium Sulfate markets. The top 10 companies in the calcium sulfate market are:

1. LafargeHolcim Ltd.

2. Knauf  

3. American Gypsum

4. National Gypsum Company

5. Saint-Gobain Group

6. Carmeuse

7. Graymont Limited

8. Mississippi Lime Company

9. Honeywell International Inc.

10. MAPEI