U.S. Hydrochloric Acid Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Oil Well Acidizing, Food Processing, Steel Pickling, Ore Processing, Pool Sanitation, Calcium Chloride), By States, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

Report Overview

The U.S. hydrochloric acid market size was valued at USD 510.1 million in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% in terms of revenue from 2021 to 2028. This is attributed to the increasing water treatment activities across the country due to rising awareness regarding the environment. Hydrochloric acid is used in various applications such as oil well acidizing, food processing, steel pickling, ore processing, pool sanitation, calcium chloride, and others. The market has witnessed substantial growth over the past couple of years due to the growing construction activities in states such as California, Georgia, New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. In 2020, food processing applications dominated the demand for hydrochloric acid due to high utilization for producing corn syrup, soy sauce, and other products. HCL is also used in oil well drilling applications to encourage the flow of crude oil and gas into the well.

The key raw materials used to produce HCL include hydrogen and chlorine. HCL can be produced in many ways, including the chlorination of organic compound (chlorination reaction), a combination of hydrogen and chlorine, the production process of salt-sulfuric acid, and as a co-product in the manufacturing of silica. About 90% of HCL is produced from the chlorination process in the U.S. owing to its low cost and high purity obtained through this process. Some examples of chlorination reactions include the production of trichloroethylene, dichloromethane, and perchloroethylene in which HCL is obtained as a byproduct.

The prices of hydrochloric acid have been steadily increasing over the years, this can be attributed to the fact that the prices of the raw materials have been steadily increasing due to disturbance in the supply scenario. Also, the increase in research and development activities coupled with the increasing cost of technology has resulted in increased prices over the year. However, over the forecast period, the prices are expected to decrease owing to the stability of the supply chain and the easy availability of raw materials.

Application Insights

The food processing segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 30% in 2020. This is attributed to higher usage of hydrochloric acid in food processing applications such as the production of hydrolyzed vegetable protein and soy sauce. It is used as an acidifier in products such as vegetable juices, sauces, and canned goods and for acidulating crushed bones in the manufacturing of gelatin.

The calcium chloride segment is anticipated to expand at the highest CAGR over the forecast period. Hydrochloric acid is used in the production process of calcium chloride which is used in several applications such as industrial processing, dust control, concrete treatment, tire ballasting, oil recovery, and others. Wide industrial applications of calcium chloride are forecasted to bolster its demand, which, in turn, is likely to have a positive impact on the demand for hydrochloric acid in the predicted years.

Hydrochloric acid is used in several other applications to produce organic chemicals. It can be used to produce polycarbonate resins, p-phenylenediamine, polyvinyl chloride resins, ethanol, and bisphenol-A. In the pharmaceutical industry, hydrochloric acid is used for pH control, as a reduction agent, as a catalyst in synthesis, and for the deionization of water.

Regional Insights

California accounted for the largest revenue share of around 60% in 2020. This is attributed to the fast construction growth in California over the past few years owing to the rising investments in the sector. Steel is a major component used in construction activities due to its immense strength, ductility, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. Thus, it is in high demand from the construction industry, which is anticipated to fuel the demand for steel picking applications in the state.

New Mexico is predicted to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period. Oil and gas is one of the major industries in New Mexico and accounts for a large amount of government spending in the state. According to the State’s Oil Conservation Division, New Mexico produced around 367.8 million barrels of oil in 2020, registering a 10.8% increase compared to 2019. The increasing rate of oil and gas production in the state is expected to bolster the demand for hydrochloric acid in the oil well acidizing over the forecast period.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The key raw material suppliers in the market include NextEra Energy, Inc.; Air Liquide; Linde plc; Dow; Olin Corporation; Occidental Petroleum Corporation; and Westlake Chemical Corporation. These suppliers are well-established and have been operating for a long time in the industry with a strong distribution network. These companies dominate the U.S. hydrochloric acid market with their extensive presence throughout the value chain. HCL manufacturers are focusing on improving their product solutions and enhancing their manufacturing capabilities to distinguish their products and gain a higher market share. Some of the prominent players operating in the U.S. hydrochloric acid market are:

• ASHTA Chemicals

• Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

• ERCO Worldwide

• Continental Chemical Company

• Miles Chemical Company Inc.

• Tronox Holdings plc

• Jones-Hamilton Co.

• Olin Corporation

• Spectrum Chemical Manufacturing Corp.

• Detrex Corporation

• TRInternational

• Formosa Plastics Corporation, U.S.A.

U.S. Hydrochloric Acid Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2028. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the U.S. hydrochloric acid market report based on application and region:

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • Oil Well Acidizing

  • Food Processing

  • Steel Pickling

  • Ore Processing

  • Pool Sanitation

  • Calcium Chloride

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2028)

  • U.S.

    • Utah

    • California

    • Nevada

    • Arizona

    • Idaho

    • Colorado

    • Oregon

    • Wyoming

    • Montana

    • New Mexico

    • Rest of U.S.