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Market Overview

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The global oxygen scavengers market is projected to reach $4,318 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.4% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2031. Oxygen scavengers are materials used to reduce or completely remove oxygen in fluids or enclosed packaging. They are used in various industries such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals to limit the amount of oxygen available for deteriorative reactions.

The market for oxygen scavengers is driven by the increasing usage of active and intelligent packaging and technological advancements in this field. Governments and regulatory organizations are also focusing on implementing stringent rules and regulations, which has led to the wider utilization of oxygen scavengers for extending the shelf life of food and pharmaceutical products.

The market is still growing for applications in the food and beverages and pharmaceutical industries, while it is comparatively more mature for oil and gas and chemicals. The shift towards sustainable technologies and zero wastage has created sales and financing opportunities in active and intelligent packaging, particularly in regions like North America, Europe, the Middle East, and some Asian countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the production of oxygen scavengers, with disruptions in supply and demand chains due to shutdowns and labor shortages. However, the pandemic had a positive impact on the food and pharmaceutical packaging sector, leading to increased sales of oxygen scavengers. As the world recovers from the pandemic, the demand for oxygen scavengers is expected to remain robust due to increased research and development activities and the need for sustainable packaging.

Key drivers for the market include rising consumer awareness related to food quality, increasing demand for convenience foods and active food packaging, and developments in the pharmaceutical industry. However, challenges such as hazards associated with chemicals in oxygen scavengers and the inconvenience of using oxygen scavenger sachets in food packaging may limit market growth.

Overall, the oxygen scavengers market shows promising growth prospects, driven by the demand for extended shelf life and improved quality of packaged products in various industries.

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Market Segmentation

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The market is segmented based on various factors, including end user, form, type, and region.

Segmentation by End User
Pharmaceuticals
Food and Beverages
Chemicals
Oil and Gas
Others

Segmentation by Form
Canisters
Sachets
Stickers
Resin
Liquid
Others

Segmentation by Type
Organic Oxygen Scavengers
Inorganic Oxygen Scavengers

Segmentation by Region
North America – U.S., Canada, and Mexico
Europe – Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Rest-of-Europe (RoE)
China
U.K.
Asia-Pacific and Japan – Japan, India, South Korea, and Rest-of-Asia-Pacific
Rest-of-the-World – South America and the Middle East and Africa

During the forecast period from 2022 to 2031, the food and beverages segment is expected to be the largest among various end users. This can be attributed to the growing use of oxygen scavengers in the packaging of food and beverage products, driven by an increased need for oxygen scavenging. The food and beverages industry is one of the leading industries globally, with changing consumer food habits, rising disposable income, and growing adoption of packaged foods being key factors in its current growth. Major markets for food and beverages include the U.S., China, India, Spain, Japan, the U.K., Brazil, Italy, and Thailand. According to the Food and Drink Industry report published by the U.K.’s Food and Drink Exporters Association (FDEA) in 2020, the U.K.’s food and drink exports increased by 5.1% in the first half of FY2019, reaching over $12.5 billion. This growth was primarily driven by major economies such as the U.S., Japan, China, India, and the U.A.E. In Europe, the food and beverages industry has experienced significant growth between 2011 and 2020.

In terms of form, sachets are expected to dominate the oxygen scavengers market, accounting for approximately 42.4% of the market share in 2021. Other forms, such as resin, canisters, liquid, stickers, and other types of oxygen scavengers, accounted for the remaining market share. Sachets, commonly used for packaging food and beverages and pharmaceutical applications, are highly effective in absorbing oxygen and extending the shelf life of products. They are widely used in the Asia-Pacific region and gaining traction in North America. Sachets are cost-effective compared to other forms of oxygen scavengers and must meet safety requirements, being compact in size and free from toxic substances or offensive odors and gases. Iron powder and ascorbic acid are commonly used chemicals in sachets. The selection of oxygen scavenger sachets depends on factors such as water activity, storage temperature, initial oxygen levels, and package permeability. Sachets can also be used in combination with moisture absorbers and carbon dioxide absorbers to enhance overall product quality.

Among different types, inorganic oxygen scavengers are expected to lead the market during the forecast period from 2022 to 2031. Inorganic oxygen scavengers are widely used in food and pharmaceutical packaging, as well as a corrosion inhibitor in the chemical and oil and gas industries. They are mineral-based and do not contain carbon atoms in their compounds. Inorganic scavengers are generally more affordable than organic scavengers but add dissolved solids to water, which must be removed through blowdown to maintain proper boiler water chemistry. Common examples of inorganic oxygen scavengers include sulfites, bisulfites, hydrazine, and others. Sulfites and bisulfites are the most commonly used inorganic oxygen scavengers, especially when combined with catalysts. Inorganic oxygen scavengers are more temperature dependent, requiring higher quantities at lower temperatures. However, catalyzing them with cobalt salts can increase reaction rates at lower temperatures. In food and pharmaceutical applications, inorganic oxygen scavengers help achieve extended shelf life and high product quality. They are also used in boiler water treatment and feed water treatment to reduce equipment corrosion, making them suitable for various industries such as chemicals and oil and gas.

China is expected to dominate the oxygen scavengers market throughout the forecast period. This is due to the significant presence of food, pharmaceutical, and chemical manufacturers in the region, driving demand from diverse end-use applications. Technological advancements and environmental restrictions aimed at reducing packaging waste further contribute to the growth of the market in China. The country is expected to be a major consumer of oxygen scavengers globally, with increasing demand from sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, oil and gas. China is anticipated to develop low-cost oxygen scavengers due to technological advancements, making them more cost-effective compared to other countries. The entry of foreign food industries into the Chinese market, along with investments in logistics, is expected to drive the demand for oxygen scavengers. Additionally, China’s strong and rapidly growing chemicals sector will increase the demand for oxygen scavengers as corrosion inhibitors.

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Competitive Landscape

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The selection of the profiled companies was based on inputs obtained from primary experts, analysis of company coverage, product portfolio, and market penetration.

Key companies profiled in this report include Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Multisorb Technologies, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Clariant AG, Multisorb Technologies , TPG CO., LTD., Desiccare, Inc., Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Multisorb Technologies, Clariant AG, Avient Corporation, Indorama Ventures, Sherwin-Williams Company, BASF SE, Arkema, SUEZ Group, Accepta Water Treatment, Schlumberger Limited, Eastman Chemical Company.

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Recent Industry Developments

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In September 2017, the SUEZ Group completed the acquisition of GE Water & Process Technologies for approximately $3.4 billion. This strategic move aimed to expand the group’s offerings for industrial clients, strengthen its global presence, and enhance its digital and innovation platforms, particularly in the field of oxygen scavengers.

In 2019, Indorama Ventures successfully acquired a 100% stake in the PET business of INVISTA Resins and Fibers GmbH in Germany. This acquisition provided Indorama with significant competitive advantages, including the intellectual property rights to POLYSHIELD PET and OXYCLEAR Barrier PET, Invista’s barrier technology, allowing Indorama to leverage these assets in global markets.

In 2021, Solenis was acquired by Platinum Equity from Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) and BASF in a transaction valued at $5.25 billion. As part of this acquisition, Solenis merged with Sigura Water, an existing portfolio company of Platinum Equity, resulting in a combined transaction value of approximately $6.5 billion. The combined company now generates approximately $3.5 billion in revenue.

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Key Questions Answered

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What are the primary factors and trends influencing the global oxygen scavengers market?

How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected the oxygen scavengers market worldwide?

What measures have existing players taken to enhance their market position, and what strategies have new entrants adopted in this market?

Which type, form, and end user currently dominate the market, and what is their expected performance in the future?

What are the latest global developments in the oxygen scavengers market, and what are the prevailing consumption patterns?