Antimony Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Rising Utilization in Flame Retardant Materials with Growing Accident and Death Cases[SD1] - As of 2020, the flame retardants industry was valued at approximately USD 7 billion which is further forecasted to reach around USD 15 billion in 2030[SD2] . Antimony is mainly used in flame retardation in the form of trioxide. Antimony trioxide is used in various products by physical blending or chemical insertion such as in textiles. Antimony is combined with halogens in the preparation of flame retards as lead can suppress flames when coming in contact with any type of halogen. The government regulations by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to maintain emergency flame retards to rise the demand for the market.
• Significant Utilization of Antimony in Glass & Ceramic to Boost Market Growth- Yellow, orange, and red pigments are made using antimony compounds and used in ceramics for decoration and to enhance the properties of the materials. The value of glass-ceramic was estimated to be around USD 1 billion in 2021 which is further expected to reach approximately USD 1.5 billion by the year 2026.[SD3] 
• Rising Demand for antimony in Cable Sheathing Owing to Rising Internet Needs- Cable sheathing is generally associated with fiber cable technology which is highly utilized to circulate internet services. The World Bank released a set of data showing that in 2020, 60% of the global population was using the internet.
• Higher Requirements in Paint and Coating with Increasing Commercial Buildings- Flame retardant antimony trioxide is frequently used in paint and coatings to increase their fire resistance. The consumption of antimony-based paints and surface coating is anticipated to rise with the expansion of the construction sector and the rising need for fire-safe structures.  The worth of the paint & coating industry is projected to reach more than USD 195 billion by the year 2018.
• Escalating Antimony Utilization in Battery Production- Antimony is combined with lead to create lead-acid battery packs, which are frequently used in cars and back - up power systems. The rising need for electric cars and renewable energy sources is predicted to increase the consumption of lead-acid batteries, which would, in turn, boost the market for antimony The Li-ion battery recycling industry is anticipated to reach around USD 10 billion by the year 2027.

Challenges

• Increasing availability of alternatives to substitute antimony - Antimony can be easily substituted in some places by using other metals such as a mixture of chromium, zinc, tin, titanium, and zirconium. Further, antimony can be used in flame retardation by compounds such as alumina trihydrate, zinc borate, and magnesium hydroxide. Cardium, germanium, calcium, lead, zinc, tin, and barium are used to replace antimony in plastic manufacturing which slows the market growth.
• Tension Among Nations Regarding Convenient Antimony Supply
• Lack of Requisite Technology to Harness the Material