Sodium Bicarbonate Market - Industry Analysis, Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth And Forecast 2022-2027

Sodium Bicarbonate Market Overview

The sodium bicarbonate market size is forecast to reach US$3.4 billion by 2027 after growing at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period 2022-2027. Sodium carbonate is also known as baking soda or bicarbonate of soda. Sodium bicarbonate is used as an ingredient in baking powders, effervescent salts, and beverages, and as a pH buffer in the food industry. Tartaric acid is commonly mixed with sodium bicarbonate and is sold commercially as baking powder. Sodium bicarbonate also functions as an important ingredient of dry-chemical fire extinguishers. Its slight alkalinity makes it useful in treating gastric hyperacidity and acidosis. So in pharmaceutical applications it is mainly used as an acidity regulator and is available as an antacid. The exponential growth of baked goods drives the sodium carbonate industry.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every industry worldwide in one way or another. The core industries such as pharmaceutical, food, beverage, and chemical industries were highly impacted. The chemical industry plays an important role in the production of agrochemicals, medicines, detergents, etc. Hence, the chemical industry can be regarded as the backbone of most of the manufacturing industries. The pharmaceutical industry is also dependent on the chemical industry to carry out its manufacturing activities as it cannot function without basic chemicals. Due to social distancing policy, most of the chemical manufacturing plants were shut down, which resulted in a decline in production. In addition, border closures and travel bans caused major hurdles such as supply chain disruptions due to raw material delays or non-arrival. According to a report from Eurostat, Europe’s chemicals output was 4.4% lower year on year in the first nine months of 2020 compared to 2019. The widespread nature of restrictions on movement and on retail, alongside the continued impact of the virus on air travel, second and third waves, the emergence of new variants, have severely impacted the chemical industry and thereby, the sodium bicarbonate market.

Sodium Bicarbonate Report Coverage

The report: “Sodium Bicarbonate Market – Forecast (2022-2027)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the sodium bicarbonate industry.

By Production Source: Sodium Carbonate, Sodium Hydroxide, and Nahcolite
By Form: Powder, Pellets and Granules, and Others
By Grade: Food Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade, Technical Grade, and Feed Grade
By Application: Food Additive, Chemical Synthesis, Water Treatment, Flue Gas Treatment, Fire Extinguisher, and Others
By End-Use Industry: Food and Beverage (Leavening Agent- Bread, Cakes, Cookies and Biscuits, and Others; Effervescent Agent (Powder Drinks, Sparkling Drinks, and Others; and Others) Pharmaceutical (Antacid, Electrolyte, Tablet Coating, and Others), Cosmetics & Personal Care (Mouthwashes, Toothpaste, Deodorant, Bath Bombs, Dry Shampoo, and Others), Agriculture, Chemical, and Others
By Geography: North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle East, and Africa)

Key Takeaways

• Asia-Pacific dominates the sodium bicarbonate market, on account of the growing construction activities in the region. According to Invest India, the pharmaceutical industry in India is expected to reach US$120 billion by 2030
• Sodium bicarbonate is also known as baking soda due to its heavy usage as a leavening agent in baked goods.
• Sodium bicarbonate is used in baking powder, effervescent salts and beverages, fire extinguishers, pharmaceutical drug coatings, and cleaning compounds, among other uses.

Figure: Asia-Pacific Sodium Bicarbonate Market Revenue, 2021-2027 (US$ Billion)

Sodium Bicarbonate Market Segment Analysis – By Form

The powder segment held the largest share in the sodium bicarbonate market up to 35% in 2021. Sodium bicarbonate is a white, crystalline powder that is commonly used as a food additive, an electrolyte replenisher, and a cleaning agent among other uses. It is odorless and has a slightly alkaline taste. It is soluble in water and readily dissociates to form sodium ions and bicarbonate ions. Its powder form is used in the manufacturing of many sodium salts, as a source of carbon dioxide, as an ingredient of baking powder, in effervescent salts and beverages, in fire extinguishers, and in cleaning compounds. As the powdered form is used in many industries, it is anticipated to dominate the sodium bicarbonate market.

Sodium Bicarbonate Market Segment Analysis – By Grade

The food grade held the largest share in the sodium bicarbonate market up to 41% in 2021. Sodium bicarbonate is widely used in the food industry. It is used as a leavening agent in bread, cakes, cookies and biscuits, pies, waffles, and a host of other baked goods earning the name, baking soda. It is also used in drinks as an effervescent agent as it releases carbon dioxide resulting in carbonation of the beverage. The effervescent property is also used to produce foam for powder drinks like a cappuccino when water is added. Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. According to the International Coffee Organization, estimates of total coffee production for the year 2020/21 was 169.66 million bags, a 0.4% increase as compared to 169.00 million bags during 2019/20. Instant cappuccino powder is commonly used in households all over the world because of its easy and quick preparation. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies sodium bicarbonate as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) as a direct food additive. It is authorized and registered as a food ingredient with the reference E500 in Europe. Therefore, the food grade is set to dominate the sodium bicarbonate market during the forecast period.

Sodium Bicarbonate Market Segment Analysis – By End-Use Industry

The food and beverage segment held the largest share in the sodium bicarbonate market up to 40% in 2021. In the food industry, sodium bicarbonate is used as a leavening agent, effervescent agent, pH buffer, and other applications. It is commonly used as baking soda or baking powder in bread, cakes, biscuits, pies, and various other baked goods. Baking powder is a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and a weak acid such as tartaric acid. It is used to give baked goods light, airy and soft textures while also making them rise. During the pandemic when people were confined to their houses many took up baking as a hobby. A survey commissioned by NABIM (The National Association of British and Irish Millers), undertaken by YouGov, found that 53% of respondents baked between the start of lockdown and mid-May, equating to 27 million UK adults. The survey also showed that 37% of the baked goods was bread and cookies came in second place, with 34%. A similar trend was seen around the world which led to rising sales of baking ingredients. Mercadona, a major Spanish supermarket chain, has revealed that in April 2020 it was selling over 26,000 units of baking soda every day. Hence, this industry is set to dominate the sodium bicarbonate market.

Sodium Bicarbonate Market Segment Analysis – By Geography

The Asia-Pacific region held the largest share in the sodium bicarbonate market in 2021 up to 35% owing to the presence of a large number of chemical industries. After the recession of 2008, many chemical industries have come up in Asia making the region an attractive chemical hub. Asian countries hold a monopoly over the chemical market and most of the chemical manufacturers come from this region especially from China, Japan, India, and South Korea. According to Invest India, the market size of the chemicals & petrochemicals sector in India is currently around $178 billion and is expected to grow to $300 billion by 2025. China is the world’s largest exporter of inorganic products. Another contributing factor is the growth of the pharmaceutical industry in Asia. According to Invest India, the pharmaceutical industry in India is expected to reach US$65 billion by 2024 and US$120 billion by 2030. On account of this, the sodium bicarbonate market is expected to grow rapidly over the forecast period. Furthermore, favorable government policies, such as those relating to foreign direct investments, healthcare facilities, and infrastructure development also contribute to the growth of the pharma industry in this region. Therefore, this region dominates the sodium bicarbonate market.

Sodium Bicarbonate Market Drivers

Exponential Growth of Baked Goods

Sodium bicarbonate works as a leaving agent which allows various baked goods such as cake, biscuits, bread, waffles, etc. to expand and rise which gives the goods airy and spongy textures. In the food industry, sodium carbonate is used as baking soda or baking powder. Baking soda is just food-grade sodium bicarbonate and usually requires an acidic ingredient such as buttermilk, lemon juice, yogurt, etc. to activate whereas baking powder contains a mild acid such as tartaric acid or fumaric acid in the mix. According to Delifrance’s Great British Bakery report, 23% of UK respondents have increased consumption of bakery products in 2020. Four in ten Brits eat bread daily. According to Cargill India, consumption of baked goods has increased drastically over the past six to eight months during the pandemic resulting in very high demands for baked goods from the end-users. According to UN Comtrade, the USA was the largest importer of baked goods in the world in 2020. The USA imported 17.6% of the world’s bread, pastries, cakes, biscuits, and other baked goods. The exponential growth of baked goods drives the sales for baking soda and baking powder and in turn, the sodium bicarbonate industry. 

Increasing Usage of Antacids

Antacids are used for the relief of mild gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) associated with heartburn. Antacids are medications that do not require a prescription. Antacids are a combination of various compounds with various salts of alkaline nature. The antacids act by neutralizing the acid in the stomach and by inhibiting pepsin, an enzyme. Sodium bicarbonate is a natural antacid used to relieve heartburn. indigestion. The estimated prevalence of heartburn at least once per week in North America ranges from 18% to 28%, with 25% of adults reporting heartburn daily. Sodium bicarbonate is available as a tablet and effervescent powder. When using sodium bicarbonate as an antacid, it should be taken 1 to 2 hours after meals. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, heartburn affects an estimated 15 million people daily. With the increasing prevalence of acidity and heartburn, the usage of antacids has gone up which drives the sodium bicarbonate industry.

Sodium Bicarbonate Market Challenges

Rising Threat of Substitutes

Sodium bicarbonate is an alkaline substance that acts as an acidity regulator by neutralizing excess stomach acid and providing temporary relief from indigestion. The Canadian Society of Intestinal Research says that baking soda can affect how the body absorbs medications. This can cause various side effects. Another concern is over sodium. High intake of sodium is associated with increased blood pressure and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and coronary heart disease. As sodium bicarbonate is readily available in the kitchens, there are some concerns regarding its overuse. There are several substitutes such as potassium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, etc. available in the market. Calcium carbonate also works s an antacid and is relatively safer. Potassium bicarbonate is being used as a food additive in baking. For instance, Jungbunzlauer, one of the leading producers of biodegradable ingredients in the world, presented a healthy baking powder based on potassium bicarbonate or microencapsulated glucono-delta-lactone. These combinations demonstrated impressive baking quality, whilst reducing sodium contribution to nil. These substitutes pose a challenge to the sodium bicarbonate market.

Sodium Bicarbonate Industry Outlook

Product launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the market. Sodium Bicarbonate top 10 companies include:

1. GHCL Limited
2. Solvay S.A.
3. CIECH S.A
4. Tata Chemicals
5. Natural Soda
6. FMC Corporation
7. Novacarb
8. Natrium Products Inc.
9. Jost Chemical Co.
10. Tornox Alkali Corporation

Recent Developments

• In March 2021, Tata Chemicals Europe has announced that it is planning to build a new plant in Winnington to produce sodium bicarbonate for use in the pharmaceutical industry. Ecokarb will be the world’s first sodium bicarbonate to be made with net-zero carbon emissions. 
• In September 2019, Solvay announced the expansion of its sodium bicarbonate capacity by 200 kilotonnes in its Devnya plant in Bulgaria, addressing worldwide demand growth for flue gas treatments that improve air quality. Solvay’s sodium bicarbonate capacity expansion by 200 kilotonnes in Devnya, Bulgaria is part of the existing 75/25 joint operation with Sisecam

Relevant Reports

Sodium Carbonate Market- Forecast (2022-2027)

Report Code: CMR 0567

Inorganic Salts Market- Forecast (2022-2027)

Report Code: CMR 0420

For more Chemicals and Materials Market reports, please click here