Hydrogen Cyanide Market

Global Hydrogen Cyanide Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The global Hydrogen Cyanide Market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 1.9% from 2024 to 2029 and the market size is expected to be valued at USD 6.23 billion by 2029 from USD 5.67 billion in 2024.

MARKET OVERVIEW

Hydrogen cyanide is a colorless gas or liquid whose chemical formula is HCN, rapidly acting and highly poisonous. It has a faint and bitter almond smell. Hydrogen cyanide also has other names, such as prussic acid or hydrocyanic acid. The boiling point of hydrogen cyanide is very low, and it is liquid at room temperature. While manufacturing plastics and drugs, hydrogen cyanide plays an important role as a fumigant for grain storage. For manufacturing sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide, and others, Hydrogen cyanide is widely used in industries for manufacturing purposes. Combustion products of wool, silk, cotton, paper, and synthetic substances such as plastic and other polymers result in the formation of hydrogen cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide is applied for the production of adiponitrile, acetone cyanohydrin, and others. Hydrogen cyanide interferes with the ability of cells to use oxygen and produces an abnormal heart rhythm, nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath. Hydrogen cyanide is widely used in various industries to prepare sodium cyanide, potassium cyanide, and others in blast furnaces, gas works, and coke ovens. When the reaction between hydrocyanide ions (HCI) with hydrogen takes place, it gives the end product as hydrogen cyanide. For the production of Zyex, which is a chemical compound that has many industrial uses, hydrogen cyanide is used. By both the dry and wet processes, Zyex can be obtained. In the wet process, during the manufacturing of synthetic rubber using ethylene and oxygen, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas is generated as a by-product.

MARKET DRIVERS

Growing demand for manufacturing of sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide

Growing demand for the manufacturing of sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide can drive the growth of the hydrogen cyanide market; for mining silver and gold, sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide are used. There is great demand for the application of gold. Gold is used in the production of electronic goods and technical equipment, which is almost 10%. Gold has properties like high resistance to corrosion, excellent conductivity, and easy processing, making gold a very valuable material, especially when it is necessary to guarantee individual components for permanent and highly resistant functionality despite environmental influences. For this reason, gold plays an especially important role in the manufacture of satellites.

Escalated use in the production of adiponitrile, which is the precursor to manufacture nylon 66.

Adiponitrile is a clear liquid used to make a material called hexamethylenediamine, which is used to produce a type of strong plastic called nylon 6-6. Adiponitrile is used in many things, like carpet fibers, conveyor belts, insulation, plastics, cars, musical instruments, tires, textiles, and ropes. The use of Adiponitrile is growing in the plastic, fiber, and textile industries, which is increasing the demand for the hydrogen cyanide market. The demand is also rising because the plastic and automotive industries need nylon 6-6.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Toxic nature and safety concerns

Hydrocyanic acid is a poison that acts quickly and can be used for suicidal or homicidal purposes. Accidental cyanide poisoning can occur during activities like fumigation, electroplating, or extracting gold or silver from ore. Certain plants, like choke-cherry trees, produce toxic seeds containing cyanide, which can cause unintentional poisoning if ingested or chewed. Cyanide is a toxic substance that affects the body's cells. It inhibits the activity of enzymes involved in producing energy, leading to asphyxia. The side effects caused by hydrogen cyanide can hinder the growth of the hydrogen cyanide market. Benzyl cyanides specifically inhibit the production of norepinephrine, a neurochemical, and initially stimulate the central nervous system before causing paralysis. Cyanide can also interact with another substance in the brain to create a biologically active compound that contributes to its neurotoxic effects. Hydrogen cyanide is rapidly absorbed by the body when ingested or inhaled. Once absorbed, it combines with a substance called thiosulfate in the liver and other tissues, forming a relatively harmless compound called thiocyanate, which is eliminated through urine. Another natural defense mechanism involves combining hydrocyanic acid with a form of iron in the blood called methemoglobin to neutralize its toxicity. However, these natural detoxification mechanisms can be overwhelmed quickly if there is a large amount of cyanide present. Excessive amounts of cyanide react with a specific iron-containing enzyme called cytochrome oxidase, forming a stable complex that prevents cellular respiration. This disruption in electron transport halts the chain of cellular respiration, leading to severe consequences that are harmful to the human body. 

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Increasing application in the mining industry

Cyanide is an important substance used in different industries like metal processing, chemical production, plastics, insecticides, jewelry-making, and photography. For about 150 years, the mining industry has been using cyanide to extract valuable metals from ore. Approximately 15% of the cyanide produced is used by the mining industry, while the remaining 85% is utilized by other industries. This has created numerous opportunities for the hydrogen cyanide market.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Hydrogen Cyanide Market

The COVID-19 pandemic had a big effect on the Hydrogen Cyanide market. It caused disruptions in supply chains and decreased the demand for products and services in various industries, including the hydrogen cyanide market. One of the main impacts was a decrease in consumer spending because people were hesitant to buy non-essential items during lockdowns and social distancing. Manufacturing and supply chain operations were also disrupted, leading to delays and shortages of HCN products. However, as vaccination programs roll out and restrictions ease, the HCN market is expected to recover gradually. Businesses are adapting by using digital strategies to improve their competitiveness. While COVID-19 had a significant impact, businesses are taking steps to recover and grow in the post-pandemic world.

REPORT COVERAGE

SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS

Global Hydrogen Cyanide Market By Production Process

Andrussow process is widely used to produce hydrogen cyanide. In this industrial process, the production of hydrogen cyanide takes place. It is named after its developer Leonid Andrussow, which involves the reaction of methane and ammonia in the presence of oxygen and a platinum catalyst for producing Hydrogen Cyanide 

Global Hydrogen Cyanide Market By Application

In the Electronics industry, Hydrogen Cyanide is employed in a wide range of components such as connectors, relays, switches, housings, plugs, cables, knobs, buttons, input/output ports, face plates, insulators, transformers, terminal blocks, coil bobbins. Using hydrogen cyanide has increased the demand for hydrogen cyanide market. Another significant use of Hydrogen Cyanide is in the production of Acetone Cyanohydrin. Acetone Cyanohydrin is primarily used to produce Methyl Methacrylate (MMA), which finds applications in coatings, sealants, and the production of poly-methyl-methacrylate. Additionally, MMA can also be produced from ethylene. Lucite International has developed Alpha Technology, a new patented method that utilizes ethylene, methanol, and carbon monoxide.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

North America is the leading region for the hydrogen cyanide market because they produce less adiponitrile and sodium cyanide compared to other regions. Europe is expected to experience slow growth in the hydrogen cyanide market. On the other hand, Asia-Pacific is predicted to have steady growth in the hydrogen cyanide market due to the use of hydrogen cyanide in producing adiponitrile, with China being the main consumer in the coming years.

KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL HYDROGEN CYANIDE MARKET

The major key players in the global Hydrogen Cyanide Market are Invista, Butachimie, Evonik, INEOS, DowDuPont, Adisseo, Cyanco, Cornerstone Chemical, Sterling Chemicals, CSBP, Asahi Kasei, Mitsubishi Chemical, Kuraray, Sumitomo Chemical, and others.

 RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET

• In July 2022, a study was conducted to find an environmentally friendly method to synthesize sodium cyanide. The study focused on extracting hydrogen cyanide from cassava leaves under a vacuum. The researchers successfully produced sodium cyanide by saturating a sodium hydroxide-absorbing solution with the extracted HCN. The process involved macerating cassava leaves for 120 minutes at 30 degrees Celsius and recovering HCN under a vacuum for 45 minutes at temperatures ranging from 35 to 40 degrees Celsius.

• In April 2022, LUKOIL announced its plans to continue developing petrochemical projects in Saratov. Saratovorgsintez LLC, a fully-owned subsidiary of PJSC LUKOIL, is the sole Russian manufacturer of acrylonitrile, acetonitrile and a significant producer of sodium cyanide. The petrochemical plant is working on constructing new units to increase production capacity and enhance operational efficiency.

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL HYDROGEN CYANIDE MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This research report on the global hydrogen cyanide market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on production process, application, and region.

By Production Process

• Andrussow
• Acrylonitrile

By Application

• Acetone Cyanohydrin
• Adiponitrile
• Sodium Cyanide
• DL-Methionine
• Cyanuric Chloride

By Region 

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa