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Aug-2019

Oxygen Scavengers Market Dynamics and its Application

Oxygen Scavengers Market is a growing market with an average CAGR of 5.2 % during the forecast period. As of 2018, the Oxygen Scavengers Market industry is valued at 2.0 billion USD, and it is estimated to reach 2.58 billion USD by the year 2023. Asia- Pacific (APAC) region is expected to be the fastest-growing market for the Oxygen Scavengers Market during the forecast period.

Introduction

An oxygen scavenger, usually termed as an oxygen absorber, is an element, which is a combination of one or more reactive compounds with oxygen to decrease or eliminate oxygen in an enclosed packaging.

Purpose of using oxygen scavengers:

The purpose of using an oxygen scavenger is to restrict the quantity of oxygen that is possible for deteriorative reactions and which leads to the degraded functionality of various products such as pharmaceuticals, metals, food, etc. The oxygen absorbers are used to:

  • To reduce oxygen influenced corrosion in applications such as oil and gas installation and generation, therefore prolonging their service life.
  • Deteriorative reactions caused by oxygen may lead to nutritional loss, lipid oxidation, changes in flavor and aroma, microbial spoilage, and alteration of texture in pharmaceutical products and many other food items. So, the oxygen scavengers manage the safety of products, maintain customer acceptability, and enhance shelf life.
  • An oxygen absorber is used to stop alloy and metal made things from corrosion, which is formed by dissolving of oxygen in the steam boiler at the atmospheric condition, and also to restrain corrosion of industrial liquid separation process like in extraction, distillation, and in wastewater treatment plants. Since the production of saltwater is usually high in the process of wastewater treatment.

Chemicals Used as Oxygen Scavengers:

Available in sachet form, an oxygen scavenger is primarily a mixture of sodium, activated charcoal, and iron powder. The iron powder serves as a principal component, and sodium functions as an activator, and activated charcoal works as a gas absorbent. Iron can efficiently decrease the oxygen level of the atmosphere by 0.05%. Additionally, several other chemicals can also be used as oxygen absorbers to reduce the oxygen level in the products. These chemicals include enzymes, ascorbic acid, photosensitive polymers, etc. They can decrease the level of oxygen to 0.4%–4% in the traditional system of adjusted atmosphere. The oxygen scavenger packs are prepared for substances that enable moisture and oxygen to enter. However, they do not allow the leakage of iron powder.  Sodium is a widely used element in oxygen scavenger bags. Sodium sulphite (Na2SO3) and Hydrazine (N2H4) are sold as catalyzed systems to improve reactivity with oxygen at weaker temperatures and pressures.

Application of Oxygen Absorbers:

Oxygen absorbers have several applications in the industrial sector. The oxygen scavengers not only support to preserve the fresh flavor of nuts and coffee but also assist in dodging oxidation of oleoresins available in seasoning foods and spices. They also support in prolonging the pharmaceutical drug's shelf life. An oxygen absorber can accommodate many advantages such as enhancing operational reliability, improving production efficiency, and securing safety compliance simultaneously with environmental regulations. They also help in solving the issues that are caused by dissolved oxygen and provide trouble-free and regular steam production by boilers.

Oxygen Scavengers Market Dynamics and Future:

The rising demand for food packaging is driving the global oxygen scavengers’ market. The increasing interest in healthy snacks in developed countries is expected to encourage the adoption of food packaging technologies. With the expanding benefits of FMCG companies to adopt recyclable and eco-friendly packaging material, the demand for oxygen scavengers will increase in the coming years.

Furthermore, the addition of new methods for providing oxygen scavengers is undoubtedly influencing the market. One of the latest approaches to present oxygen absorbers is by utilizing aerobic microorganisms as the active compound, particularly for the packaging of food. The advancement of new methods for providing oxygen scavengers drives many end-user industries into the market. The growing requirements for packaged food linked with the addition of new techniques for providing oxygen absorbers are driving the growth of the market.

Key Players in Oxygen Scavengers Market:

Some of the key market players are Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company (Japan), BASF SE (Germany), Kemira OYJ (Finland), Clariant Ltd. (Switzerland), and Ecolab Inc. (US).

Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Japan, is one of the preeminent companies providing oxygen scavengers, has adopted a new product launch or product developments as its principal growth policy. The company produces oxygen scavengers with its advanced materials business segment and information. Mitsubishi Company is establishing its footing in the oxygen scavengers’ market by launching new products and showcasing them. For example, the company has taken part in Interphex Osaka in Japan, in 2017, exhibited its pharmaceutical oxygen scavengers, viz, Ageless Omac, and Ageless ZM. The exhibition of the product will further increase the position of the outcomes of the company in the market. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company launched Oxycapt multilayer-plastic containers for injectable drugs in a show in the US in 2016.

BASF SE is likewise another major provider of oxygen scavenger in the water treatment application. The company has acquired a strong client base by increasing its distribution network to serve its customers in a better way and provide customized products in the Asia Pacific, North America, and Europe. The company produces oxygen scavengers in the performance of its products segment that is accounted for 25% of the total revenue of the company in 2016. The company is concentrating on establishing its place in the market by adopting organic development strategies. In March 2017, the company financed nearly USD 55 billion in India for its innovation campus that has stimulated the growth of BASF in the oxygen scavengers’ market.

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WRITTEN BY: Shiva