Growth of Boron Industry is Driven by Chinese Demand
By Roskill Information Services, PRNETuesday, March 2, 2010
Boron: Global Industry Markets and Outlook (12th Edition, 2010)
LONDON, March 3, 2010 - Global demand for boron, an essential component in the manufacture of
fibreglass and borosilicate glass, grew strongly in the three years to 2008.
Products containing boron in the form of borates or boric acid pervade every
part of everyday life from borosilicate glass in LCD screens to composites
used in car body panels to glass wool for loft insulation.
Growth has been driven by an expansion of demand from China, where
consumption rose by 15%pa from 2000 to 2008. The increase in market share
held by Asian countries reflects the shift in production of textile-grade
fibreglass, borosilicate glass and ceramics away from North America and
Europe to countries with lower production costs.
Following the years of strong growth, 2009 saw a sharp drop in demand for
borates, but, in the second half or the year, markets for both textile-grade
fibreglass and borosilicate glass recovered and demand for borosilicate glass
in LCD screens is expected to grow by 15% in 2010. The main factors affecting
future demand for textile-grade fibreglass are continued growth in electronic
products, increased penetration of fibreglass in markets traditionally held
by steel and concrete and the emergence of new markets such as turbine blades
for wind power generation.
An up-turn in construction activity and the increase in government-led
initiatives to reduce energy consumption will provide a recovering market for
insulation-grade fibreglass in the medium term.
World production of natural and refined borates remains highly
concentrated in Turkey and the USA, with Rio Tinto Minerals and Eti Mine
accounting for around 75% of supply. The high B2O3 content (>26%) of the
colemanite, tincal and kernite mined in Turkey and California is the main
factor contributing to the leading position of these two companies in world
borates supply.
The gap between China's domestic production and demand (and the
relatively low-grade of locally mined borates) has been, and will continue to
be, the main factor driving capacity expansions worldwide. Since 2003,
expansions undertaken by Rio Tinto Minerals in the USA, Quiborax in Chile,
Eti Mine in Turkey and Manufacturas Los Andes in Argentina, have raised boric
acid capacity by over 200,000tpy and were mainly aimed at the Chinese market.
Future expansion is dominated by plans to expand capacity for refined
borates, boron oxide and calcined tincal in Turkey. Other projects under
consideration are to increase boric acid production in Argentina and Bolivia
and to exploit brine deposits in Tibet and Qinghai. In addition, Rio Tinto
Minerals has plans to exploit the Jadar lithium borate deposit in Serbia.
Note to editors
The report contains 243 pages, 152 tables and 41 figures. It provides a
detailed review of the industry, with subsections on the activities of the
leading producing companies. It also analyses consumption, trade and prices.
For further information or a review copy of this report, please contact
Robert baylis (robert@roskill.co.uk). To receive press releases via email,
please contact Prakash Ramachandran (prakash@roskill.co.uk).
Table of Contents
1 Summary 1
2 Introduction and occurrence of boron minerals 5
2.1 Properties of boron 5
2.2 Occurrence of boron minerals 6
3 Mining and processing of borates 9
3.1 Mining of boron minerals 9
3.2 Processing of refined borates 9
3.2.1 Processing of sodium borates 10
3.2.2 Processing of boric acid 11
3.2.3 Processing of brines 13
3.3 Processing of speciality boron compounds 14
3.4 Grades of borates 16
3.5 Impact of REACH on borates 18
4 World production of borates 21
4.1 World production of boron minerals 21
4.1.1 Leading producers of boron minerals 25
4.2 World production of boric acid 26
4.3 Future trends in production of borates 29
5 Review of borate-producing countries and companies 32
5.1 Argentina 32
5.1.1 Producers of borates in Argentina 33
5.1.1.1 Boro2000 33
5.1.1.2 Compania Minera Gavenda 34
5.1.1.3 Electroquimica El Carmen 34
5.1.1.4 Empresa Minera ULEX 34
5.1.1.5 Manufacturas Los Andes 35
5.1.1.6 Minera Santa Rita 35
5.1.1.7 Procesadora de Boratos Argentinos 36
5.1.1.8 RTM-Argentina 36
5.1.1.9 Potential producers of borates in Argentina 37
5.1.2 Exports of borates from Argentina 39
5.2 Australia 40
5.3 Austria 41
5.4 Belgium 41
5.5 Bolivia 41
5.5.1 Producers of borates in Bolivia 42
5.5.1.1 Quiborax 42
5.5.1.2 Sociedad Industrial Tierra 42
5.5.1.3 Sociedade Colectiva Minera Rio Grande 43
5.5.1.4 Socomirg 43
5.5.2 Potential producers of borates in Bolivia 43
5.5.2.1 COMIBOL 43
5.5.2.2 New World Resources 44
5.5.3 Exports of borates from Bolivia 45
5.6 Brazil 46
5.7 Chile 46
5.7.1 Production of borates in Chile 46
5.7.2 Producers of borates in Chile 48
5.7.2.1 Quimica Industrial del Borax 48
5.7.2.2 Sociedad Quimica y Minera Pentabor 49
5.7.2.3 SQM 49
5.7.3 Exports of borates from Chile 50
5.8 China 50
5.8.1 Reserves of boron minerals in China 51
5.8.2 Production of natural borates in China 52
5.8.3 Production of refined borates in China 55
5.8.3.1 Production of refined borates by region in China 55
5.8.3.2 Production of refined borax in China 56
5.8.3.3 Production of boric acid in China 57
5.8.3.4 Production of ferro-boron in China 58
5.8.3.5 Production of boron carbide in China 59
5.8.3.6 Production of calcium borates in China 60
5.8.4 Producers of boron compounds in China 61
5.8.4.1 CITIC Guoan Sci-Tech Development Co 63
5.8.4.2 Dalian Zhengxing Abrasive Co 63
5.8.4.3 Dandong Chemical Engineering Institute Co 63
5.8.4.4 Dandong Kuandian Boron Mine 64
5.8.4.5 Dangxiongcuo Salt Lake Project 64
5.8.4.6 Dashiqiao Xing Peng Compound Fertilizer Co 65
5.8.4.7 Deli Boron Industry 65
5.8.4.8 Dunhua Zhengxing Abrasive Co 65
5.8.4.9 Guangzhou Youyuan Metals & Chemicals 65
5.8.4.10 Hongwei Boronalloy Co 66
5.8.4.11 Jinan Sanyuantong Ferroalloy Co 66
5.8.4.12 Lianyungang Zhaoling Abrasives Co 66
5.8.4.13 Liaoning Fengcheng Mine 66
5.8.4.14 Liaoning Fengcheng Wengqiuangou Iron Boron Project 67
5.8.4.15 Liaoning Jiayuan Chemical Co 67
5.8.4.16 Liaoyang International Boronalloys Co 67
5.8.4.17 Mudanjiang Jingangzuan Boron Carbide 67
5.8.4.18 Mudanjiang Qianjin Boron Carbide 68
5.8.4.19 Qinghai Jihua Jiangyuan Industrial Co 68
5.8.4.20 Qinghai Zhongtian Boron and Lithium Mine 68
5.8.4.21 Sanmei Chemical Industry Co 68
5.8.4.22 Shandong Linuo Group 68
5.8.4.23 Shanghai JinYin Boron Chemicals Manufacturing Co 69
5.8.4.24 Sunxing Chemical Industries 69
5.8.4.25 Tianjin Yahong Chemical Co 69
5.8.4.26 Tieling Bomet Boron Alloys 69
5.8.4.27 Xi'an Unique Electronic and Chemical Co 70
5.8.4.28 Yingkou Boron Mine 70
5.8.4.29 Yingkou Liaobin Fine Chemicals 70
5.8.4.30 Yingkou Xingdong Chemical Plant 70
5.8.4.31 Zhejiang Jinke Chemicals 70
5.8.4.32 Zhejiang Jinmei Chemical Industry 70
5.8.4.33 Zibo BOR Chemical Co 71
5.8.4.34 Zibo Juncheng Chemical Co 71
5.8.4.35 Zibo Linzi Xinqiang Chemical Co 71
5.8.4.36 Zibo New Liyuan Chemical Plant 71
5.8.4.37 Zibo Wuwei Industrial Co 72
5.8.4.38 Zibo Zichuan Chuanjun Chemical 72
5.8.5 Imports of borates into China 72
5.9 Czech Republic 74
5.1 Finland 74
5.11 France 75
5.12 Germany 76
5.12.1 Producers of boron compounds in Germany 76
5.12.1.1 BASF 76
5.12.1.2 Chemetall 77
5.12.1.3 Durferrit 77
5.12.1.4 ESK Ceramics 77
5.12.1.5 GfE 78
5.12.1.6 H.C. Starck 78
5.12.1.7 Solvay 78
5.13 India 79
5.13.1 Producers of boron compounds in India 79
5.13.1.1 Borax Morarji Ltd 79
5.13.1.2 Borochemie (India) Pvt Ltd 80
5.13.1.3 Boron Carbide (India) Pvt Ltd 80
5.13.1.4 C-Tech 80
5.13.1.5 Indo Borax & Chemicals 80
5.13.1.6 Lakshmi Metallurgy 80
5.13.1.7 Minex Metallurgical 81
5.13.1.8 National Peroxide Ltd 81
5.13.1.9 Navin Fluorine 81
5.13.1.10 Tanfac Industries 81
5.14 Iran 82
5.15 Italy 82
5.15.1 Societa Chimica Larderello 82
5.15.2 Imports of borates into Italy 83
5.16 Japan 84
5.16.1 Producers of boron compounds in Japan 84
5.16.1.1 Denki KK Kabushiki Kaisha 84
5.16.1.2 Japan New Metals 84
5.16.1.3 Mizushima Ferroalloy Co 84
5.16.1.4 Morita Chemical Industry Co 85
5.16.1.5 NGK Spark Plug Co 85
5.16.1.6 Nippon Denko 85
5.16.1.7 Shin-Etsu Chemical 85
5.16.1.8 Showa Denko KK 86
5.16.1.9 Stella Chemifa Corp 86
5.16.1.10 Sumitomo Electric Hardmetal Corp 87
5.16.1.11 Tomiyama Pure Chemical Industries 87
5.17 Kazakhstan 87
5.17.1 Past and potential natural borate operations in Kazakhstan 87
5.17.1.1 JSC Inderbor 87
5.17.1.2 JSC KazInvestNedry 88
5.17.1.3 TOO Satbor 89
5.18 North Korea 90
5.19 South Korea 90
5.2 Netherlands 90
5.21 Norway 91
5.22 Peru 91
5.22.1 Inkabor SAC 91
5.23 Poland 92
5.24 Russia 93
5.24.1 Reserves of boron minerals in Russia 93
5.24.2 Production of borates in Russia 94
5.24.3 Producers of boron compounds in Russia 95
5.24.3.1 JSC Aviabor 95
5.24.3.2 JSC Halogen 95
5.24.3.3 MMC BOR 95
5.24.3.4 NLMK 100
5.24.3.5 South Urals Cryolite Plant (JSC YuUKZ) 100
5.24.3.6 Other producers 100
5.24.4 Trade in borates in Russia 100
5.25 Serbia 103
5.26 Slovenia 104
5.27 South Africa 104
5.27.1 Producers of boron compounds in South Africa 104
5.28 Spain 105
5.28.1 Producers of boron compounds in Spain 105
5.28.1.1 Borax Espana SA 105
5.28.1.2 Derivados del Fluor 105
5.28.1.3 FMC Foret 105
5.28.1.4 Mario Pilato Blat 106
5.29 Taiwan 106
5.3 Turkey 106
5.30.1 Reserves of boron minerals in Turkey 108
5.30.2 Eti Mine (Eti Maden IÅŸletmeleri) 109
5.30.2.1 Mine operations 109
5.30.2.2 Refining operations 111
5.30.2.3 Sales of boron compounds 113
5.30.3 NNT 117
5.31 UK 117
5.31.1 Producers of boron compounds in the UK 118
5.32 Ukraine 119
5.33 USA 120
5.33.1 Reserves of boron minerals in the USA 120
5.33.2 Production of boron minerals in the USA 121
5.33.3 Rio Tinto Minerals 122
5.33.3.1 Reserves of natural borates 123
5.33.3.2 Production of borates 124
5.33.3.3 Refined borates 126
5.33.4 Searles Valley Minerals 129
5.33.5 Producers of boron compounds in the USA 130
5.33.5.1 Air Products and Chemicals 130
5.33.5.2 Akzo Nobel 130
5.33.5.3 Albemarle 131
5.33.5.4 American Elements 131
5.33.5.5 American Gas Group 131
5.33.5.6 BASF 131
5.33.5.7 Ceradyne 131
5.33.5.8 Chemtura 132
5.33.5.9 Frontier Scientific 132
5.33.5.10 Hammond Lead 132
5.33.5.11 Honeywell Specialty Materials 133
5.33.5.12 InCide Technologies 133
5.33.5.13 INVISTA 133
5.33.5.14 KB Alloys 133
5.33.5.15 Matheson Tri-Gas 134
5.33.5.16 Rohm and Haas 134
5.33.5.17 Rose Mill 134
5.33.5.18 SB Boron 135
5.33.5.19 Tronox 135
5.33.5.20 Voltaix 135
5.33.5.21 Westinghouse Electric 136
5.33.5.22 W.R. Grace 136
5.33.6 Producers of boron carbide and boron nitride in the USA 136
5.33.7 Trade in borates in the USA 137
5.33.7.1 Distributors of boron compounds 140
5.34 Uzbekistan 141
6 International trade in borates 142
6.1 Trade in natural borates 142
6.2 Trade in boric acid 147
6.3 Trade in refined borax 152
6.4 Trade in perborates 158
7 World consumption of borates 160
7.1 World consumption of borates by end-use 160
7.2 Supply/demand balance for borates 165
7.3 Future trends in consumption of borates 166
8 End-uses for borates 170
8.1 Use of borates in fibreglass 170
8.1.1 Types of fibreglass 170
8.1.1.1 Insulation-grade fibreglass 170
8.1.1.2 Textile-grade fibreglass 171
8.1.2 Market trends for fibreglass 174
8.1.3 Leading producers of fibreglass 177
8.1.4 Trends in demand for borates in fibreglass 179
8.2 Use of borates in borosilicate glass 182
8.2.1 Leading producers of borosilicate glass 183
8.2.2 Trends in demand for borates in borosilicate glass 185
8.3 Use of borates in ceramics 188
8.3.1 Use of borates in glazes and enamels 188
8.3.2 Use of borates in tile bodies 190
8.3.3 Markets for borates in ceramics 190
8.3.4 Trends in demand for borates in ceramics 193
8.4 Use of borates in fertilisers 194
8.5 Use of borates in detergents, soaps and cleaning products 195
8.5.1 Use of borates in laundry detergents 195
8.5.2 Use of borates in other soaps and cleaning products 197
8.5.3 Trends in demand for borates in detergents, soaps and
cleaning products 198
8.6 Use of borates in flame retardants 199
8.6.1 Use of zinc borate in plastics and rubber compounds 199
8.6.2 Use of boric acid in cellulosic insulation 202
8.7 Use of borates in wood preservation 203
8.8 Use of borates in paints and coatings 205
8.9 Use of borates in pharmaceuticals and toiletries 206
8.1 Use of borates in starch adhesives 207
8.11 Use of borates in industrial fluids 208
8.11.1 Use of borates in wire-drawing lubricants 209
8.11.2 Use of borates in antifreeze 209
8.11.3 Use of borates in brake fluids 209
8.11.4 Use of borates in metalworking fluids 210
8.11.5 Use of borates in fuel additives 210
8.11.6 Use of borates in water treatment chemicals 210
8.12 Use of borates in plasterboard 210
8.13 Use of borates in paper production 212
8.13.1 Use of borates in pulp bleaching 212
8.13.2 Use of borates in causticising 214
8.14 Use of borates in metallurgical applications 215
8.14.1 Use of borates in fluxes 215
8.14.2 Use of borates in steel smelting 216
8.14.3 Use of borates in grain refining 216
8.14.4 Use of borates in gold refining 217
8.14.5 Use of borates in refractories 218
8.14.6 Use of borates in mining 218
8.14.7 Use of borates in electroplating 218
8.15 Use of borates in chemical applications 219
8.15.1 Use of borates in batteries 219
8.15.2 Use of borates in catalysis 219
8.16 Use of sodium borohydride in fuel cells 221
8.17 Use of ferro-boron in metallurgical applications 222
8.17.1 Use of ferro-boron in steel 222
8.17.2 Use of ferro-boron in permanent magnets 223
8.17.3 Use of ferro-boron in amorphous alloys 225
8.17.4 Supply of ferro-boron 225
8.18 Use of boron hard materials 226
8.18.1 Use of boron carbide 227
8.18.2 Use of boron nitride 229
8.18.3 Use of borides 231
8.18.4 Use of nanometric boron diamond powder 232
8.19 Use of boron fibre 233
8.2 Use of elemental boron 234
8.21 Use of boron isotopes 235
9 Prices of borates 237
9.1 Prices of natural borates 237
9.2 Prices of refined borates 239
9.3 Future trends in prices of borates 243
Boron: Global industry markets and outlook (12th edition, 2010) is
available at GBP2500 / US $5000 / 4000 Euros from Roskill Information
Services Ltd, 27a Leopold Road, London SW19 7BB, England. Tel:
+44-20-8944-0066. Fax +44-20-8947-9568 Email: info@roskill.co.uk w:
www.roskill.com/reports/molybdenum
For further information or a review copy of this report, please contact Robert baylis (robert at roskill.co.uk). To receive press releases via email, please contact Prakash Ramachandran (prakash at roskill.co.uk). Boron: Global industry markets and outlook (12th edition, 2010) is available at GBP2500 / US $5000 / 4000 Euros from Roskill Information Services Ltd, 27a Leopold Road, London SW19 7BB, England. Tel: +44-20-8944-0066. Fax +44-20-8947-9568 Email: info at roskill.co.uk w: www.roskill.com/reports/molybdenum
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