Growing Demand from the Food & Beverage Sector is Influencing the Growth of Sulfur Dioxide Market

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a clear gas or liquid with no color. It is poisonous and has a strong odor. Sulfur dioxide is produced when sulfur is burned in the air. When sulfur dioxide reacts with water, sulfuric and sulfurous acids are formed. As a refrigerant, sulfur dioxide works in a vacuum, to give the desired temperature. When a leak occurs, moisture from the air will enter the system. This means that metal parts will corrode and cause compressor grab. Sulfur dioxide is also used to preserve food items like dry fruits, keeping their vibrant appearance and preventing them from deteriorating. Sulfur dioxide is also utilized in winemaking as an antibacterial and antioxidant. In the coming years, the international sulfur dioxide market is expected to be pushed by demand from all of these varied uses. Sulfur Dioxide Market size is forecast to reach US$280.5 million by 2026, after growing at a CAGR of 1.6% during 2021-2026.

The major application of sulfur dioxide is that it is widely used in the food and drinks industries due its properties as a preservative and antioxidant. As stated by USDA, in 2019, U.S. consumers, businesses, and government entities spent US$1.8 trillion on food and beverages in grocery stores. Sulfur dioxide is added periodically throughout the winemaking process and plays a critical role in quality winemaking as it prevents the wine from reacting with oxygen which can cause browning and off-odors. Countries such as Italy, France, Spain, the USA, and so on are the major producers of wine. In February 2021, Anheuser-Busch, a brewing company announced to invest more than US$1 billion in its U.S. facilities during the next two years. The significant usage of SO2 in the winemaking alongside the significant plant expansions with the rising demand is set to boost the market growth rate. The market forecast outlook for the food & beverages industries in countries such as the USA, China, India, Germany, France, and more is positive over the forecast period. The major food & beverage manufacturing companies are focusing their efforts on these developing countries in order to take advantage of their immense market potential. With this positive outlook, it is projected that the demand for sulfur dioxide in the manufacture of various food & beverage products is expected to grow rapidly during the forecast period.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the food & beverage industry was one of the great success stories for the world and was a great way to highlight the strength of the industry over the last few years. However, due to the closure of the hospitality and tourism sectors, the COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial influence on food and beverage industry growth in 2020, resulting in a loss of sales in restaurants, cafés, bars, and the out-of-home sector around the world. The food & beverage companies faced significantly reduced consumption as well as disrupted supply chains. At-home consumption surged, but out-of-home consumption – which has historically generated the biggest profit margin – came to a halt. And since sulfur dioxide is extensively utilized in the food and beverage industry, this standstill consecutively hampered the market growth of sulfur dioxide in 2020.

Asia-Pacific holds a major share of the sulfur dioxide market owing to the increasing food & beverages industry in Asia-Pacific countries such as China, Japan, and India, which is accelerating the demand for refrigerants, preservatives, and winemaking materials in the region. According to the China Chain Store & Franchise Association, China's food and beverage (F&B) market are worth $595 billion in 2019, up 7.8% from the previous year. Food and beverage products generated by Japan's food processing industry totaled US$216.8 billion in 2018, up marginally from 2017. According to Invest India, India’s food processing sector is one of the largest in the world and its output is expected to reach US$535 Bn by 2025-26. Sulfur dioxide is often used in the food & beverage industry as a preservative, refrigerant, and wine-making material. Thus, with the increasing food & beverage industry in Asia-Pacific, the demand for sulfur dioxide as refrigerant, preservative, and winemaking is significantly increasing, which is substantially driving the sulfur dioxide market growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sulfur Dioxide is the most common chemical compound used in winemaking. It is significantly used owing to preservative and anti-bacterial qualities. Sulfur dioxide is added periodically throughout the winemaking process and plays a critical role in quality winemaking as it prevents the wine from reacting with oxygen which can cause browning and off-odors. Adding to this, the significant rise in the demand for wine in various countries is set to boost the market growth rate during the forecast period 2021-2026. As stated by the wine institute, California wine sales reached US$40 billion in the US. As stated by the International Organization of Vine & Wine, 2020 world wine production is estimated between 253.9 and 262.2 MHL, with a mid-range estimate at 258 MHL. In February 2021, Anheuser-Busch, a brewing company announced to invest more than US$1 billion in its U.S. facilities during the next two years. With a young population, increasing urbanization, and the perception of wine as a status choice, India has parallels with other Asian markets where there is a growing acceptance of and preference for wine among the upper and middle classes thereby escalating the market growth rate. 

The major companies in the fluorosurfactants market include Boliden Group, Ineos Group Ltd., Linde plc, Kemira Oyj, Chemtrade Logistics Inc., Grillo Werke AG, PVS Chemicals, and Esseco Group S.r.l. The key focus of the companies has shifted towards product launches.