Chelating Agents Market

How big is Chelating Agents Market in 2026?

The chelating agents market is estimated at USD 8.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 9.0 billion in 2026 and USD 15.8 billion by 2036 at a 5.8% CAGR.

Chelating agent revenue is estimated at USD 8.5 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 9.0 billion in 2026. Sales are expected to grow at a 5.8% CAGR and reach USD 15.8 billion by 2036. Detergent formulators are replacing phosphates and older synthetic chelants with readily biodegradable grades such as GLDA and MGDA. Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents entered into force on 22 March 2026 and will apply from 23 September 2029, with room for phosphorus limits to tighten.[1] A fixed application date gives European brands about three years to reformulate, so green chelant suppliers can expect a steady run of qualification orders before 2029.

Pulp bleaching ranks first on the demand intensity scale, because each bleached kraft line consumes chelant in tonnes every day to bind manganese and iron. Paper and pulp is likely to hold 29.5% of 2026 application sales, ahead of household and industrial cleaning at an estimated 21.0%. Arauco reported in May 2026 that the Sucuriú mill in Brazil had reached 62.1% overall progress toward 3.5 million tons a year of pulp capacity.[2] Every new bleached pulp line adds a multiyear chelant contract sized in tonnes, so a handful of mill accounts hold the heaviest negotiating weight with suppliers.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• Conventional chelating agents lead product sales at an estimated 59.0% in 2026, and green chelating agents, the faster-growing type, are likely to hold 41.0%. Nouryon launched the Dissolvine MAX range with 100% renewable carbon content in October 2025.[3]
• Paper and pulp is the largest application, at 29.5% of 2026 sales, with household and industrial cleaning second at an estimated 21.0%.
• Synthetic chelation leads technology at about 45.5% (estimated), and biodegradable chelation technology follows near 41.0%.
• Liquid chelants lead form sales at an estimated 63.5%, because detergent and pulp plants dose from bulk tanks.
• Industrial plants buy about 80.5% of chelants by estimate, ahead of farms at near 10.5% and municipal utilities at about 9.0%.

Regional Highlights

• South Korea is projected to grow fastest among profiled countries, at a 6.2% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, on Korean chip and battery plants.
• Demand in Germany is forecast to rise at 6.0%, ahead of the United Kingdom at 5.6% and the United States at 5.5%, and Japan is the slowest at 4.4%.
• Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on detergents entered into force on 22 March 2026 and will apply from 23 September 2029.[1]

Market Size & Forecast

Table 1: Market Size and Forecast for the Chelating Agents Market (USD billion and percentage), 2025 to 2036

Metric	Value
2025 Market Size	USD 8.5 billion
Estimated Market Size in 2026	USD 9.0 billion
Projected Market Size by 2036	USD 15.8 billion
CAGR, 2026 to 2036	5.8%
Added Revenue, 2026 to 2036	USD 6.8 billion
Market Expansion Multiple	1.8x

Chelant orders arrive in blocks tied to plant start-ups and contract renewals, since a pulp mill or detergent line signs supply for several years once trials pass. Nouryon signed a long-term agreement with Arauco to supply sodium chlorate and chlorine dioxide solutions for the new Brazilian pulp mill and is raising Brazilian sodium chlorate capacity by 20%.[4] Pulp production at the mill is scheduled to start in late 2027.[4] Chelant volumes for Brazilian bleaching will therefore rise across 2028. Detergent makers form the second order block, and the dissolvable PVOH detergent pods market will expand at a 6.1% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, so concentrated pod formulas will need more chelant per wash load for hard-water control. FMI estimates USD 6.8 billion of added sales between 2026 and 2036, a 1.8x expansion of the 2026 base. Feedstock and energy costs, the reasons BASF gave for the July 2026 Trilon increase, are the main risk to supplier margins over the decade.

Feedstock Costs, Detergent Rules and Green Chelant Supply

BASF raised North American prices for nine Trilon chelating agents, including Trilon B, Trilon C and Trilon D, by $0.33/kg from 1 July 2026.[5] BASF cited continued increases in key raw material, energy and logistics costs and ongoing supply chain volatility.[5] EDTA and DTPA buyers in the United States will face higher contract prices through 2027, and some laundry formulators will trial green chelants at the next reformulation.

The EU adopted Regulation (EU) 2026/405 on 11 February 2026, and the act allows phosphorus limits to tighten and to cover more product categories.[1] Nouryon offers the Dissolvine MAX range as a lower-carbon substitute for older ingredients such as phosphates.[3] BASF markets Trilon M Max BioBased as a bio-based, readily biodegradable detergent chelant.[6] Two large producers now offer renewable-carbon green chelants, and European detergent makers will have more than one supplier to qualify before the 2029 application date.

Table 2: Price, Regulation and Capacity Indicators for the Chelating Agents Market (prices, dates and capacities), 2025 to 2029

Indicator	Data Point	Relevance	Source
BASF Trilon price change, North America	Up $0.33/kg from 1 July 2026	Higher cost for EDTA-type grades.	[5]
EU Detergents Regulation 2026/405	In force 22 March 2026, applies 23 September 2029	Sets the reformulation window.	[1]
Arauco Sucuriú pulp mill	3.5 million tons a year, start in Q4 2027	New bleaching demand in Brazil.	[2]
Nouryon sodium chlorate, Brazil	Capacity up 20%	Bleaching supply tied to the Arauco mill.	[4]
Nouryon Dissolvine MAX	100% renewable carbon content	Phosphate substitute in cleaning.	[3]
BASF Trilon M Max BioBased	0.96 kg of CO2 cut per kg of product	Low-carbon green chelant for detergents.	[6]
Kemira bleaching chemicals, Q2 2026	Decline in bleaching and base chemicals	Weak pulp output in the Nordics slows chelant orders.	[7]
Henkel award to Nouryon	Degradable water-hardness solution for laundry	Brand demand for degradable chelants.	[8]

Analyst Perspective

“Detergent buyers I speak with have stopped asking only for the lowest EDTA price and now ask for a biodegradable grade with an ecolabel listing in the same tender. Pulp mills in Brazil have changed too, and mill buyers now want one supplier for chlorate, peroxide aids and chelants on a single contract. I expect green chelants to keep gaining product share through 2036 on that buying pattern. Conventional grades will still hold most pulp and water treatment volume.”

- Nikhil Kaitwade, Principal Consultant, Future Market Insights.

How is the chelating agents market segmented?

Product type, application, technology, form and end use define the market alongside region. Conventional grades lead product type at an estimated 59.0%, paper and pulp leads application at 29.5%, synthetic chelation leads technology at about 45.5%, liquid leads form at an estimated 63.5%, and industrial buyers lead end use at around 80.5% in 2026.

By product type: green chelating agents, and conventional chelating agents.

By application: water treatment, agriculture, paper and pulp, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, chemical processing, household and industrial cleaning, oil and gas, and other applications.

By technology: biodegradable chelation technology, synthetic chelation, and hybrid chelation systems.

By form: liquid chelating agents, and powder chelating agents.

By end use: industrial, agricultural, and municipal.

By region: Regional analysis covers North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, and Middle East and Africa.

Why do conventional chelating agents lead chelating agent product type sales?

Conventional chelating agents lead product type with an estimated 59.0% share in 2026, and green chelating agents hold the remaining 41.0%.

Table 3: Product Type Share for the Chelating Agents Market (percentage share), 2026

Product Type	Estimated Share (2026)
Conventional Chelating Agents	59.0%
Green Chelating Agents	41.0%
Total	100.0%

Table 4: Product Type Leadership and Market Growth for the Chelating Agents Market (segment and CAGR percentage), 2026 to 2036

Metric	Value
Global CAGR (2026 to 2036)	5.8%
Leading Segment	Conventional Chelating Agents

Conventional chelating agents are expected to lead with 59.0% share in 2026, because EDTA, DTPA and phosphonates bind metals strongly at a low price per kilogram. Pulp mills and industrial cleaners have run on these grades for decades. Green chelating agents are anticipated to hold 41.0% share in 2026. Green grades such as GLDA and MGDA cost more and bind iron less strongly at high pH, so pulp bleaching still favours DTPA. Household detergent brands are moving first, because ecolabels and brand pledges reward readily biodegradable ingredients. Henkel Consumer Brands gave Nouryon a 2025 sustainability award for a degradable solution that controls water hardness in laundry detergents.[8] Green grades are the faster-growing product type, and each large brand reformulation narrows the gap with conventional chelants.

• Conventional grades span aminocarboxylates such as EDTA, DTPA and NTA plus phosphonates.
• BASF set a $0.33/kg price increase for select Trilon chelating agents in North America from 1 July 2026.[5]

Why does paper and pulp lead chelating agent application sales?

Paper and pulp leads application with 29.5% share in 2026, ahead of household and industrial cleaning at an estimated 21.0% and water treatment at about 15.5%.

Table 5: Application Share for the Chelating Agents Market (percentage share), 2026

Application	Estimated Share (2026)
Paper and Pulp	29.5%
Household and Industrial Cleaning	21.0%
Water Treatment	15.5%
Agriculture	10.5%
Chemical Processing	7.0%
Food and Beverage	5.0%
Oil and Gas	4.5%
Pharmaceuticals	3.5%
Other Applications	3.5%
Total	100.0%

Paper and pulp is projected to lead with 29.5% share in 2026, since a single bleached kraft mill doses chelants by the tonne each day and a few large mills outbuy thousands of detergent plants. Household and industrial cleaning, near 21.0% by estimate, uses smaller doses per kilogram of product but sells through every supermarket. Water treatment holds about 15.5% (estimated) for scale control in boilers and cooling towers, and the water and waste water treatment chemical market is forecast to grow at a 4.60% CAGR from 2026 to 2036. Agriculture holds an estimated 10.5% through chelated iron, zinc and manganese for crops. Chemical processing holds about 7.0%, food and beverage around 5.0% and oil and gas near 4.5%, each on estimate. Pharmaceuticals and other uses are anticipated to hold about 3.5% each, as drug and cosmetic makers buy small lots of high-purity grades. Kraft paper bags use mostly unbleached pulp, and the paper bags market is projected to grow at a 4.4% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, so bag demand adds pulp tonnage with little chelant per tonne. Bleached pulp start-ups in Brazil in 2027 will keep paper and pulp first through 2036.

• Bleached kraft mills using DTPA in the bleaching stage form the core of the segment.
• Arauco's Sucuriú pulp mill reached 62.1% overall progress by 30 April 2026.[2]

Why does synthetic chelation lead technology sales?

Synthetic chelation leads technology with about 45.5% share in 2026 by estimate, ahead of biodegradable chelation technology at about 41.0% and hybrid systems at around 13.5%.

Table 6: Technology Share for the Chelating Agents Market (percentage share), 2026

Technology	Estimated Share (2026)
Synthetic Chelation	45.5%
Biodegradable Chelation Technology	41.0%
Hybrid Chelation Systems	13.5%
Total	100.0%

Synthetic chelation is estimated to lead with 45.5% share in 2026 on steady orders from pulp mills, boiler operators and industrial cleaners. These buyers still choose pure EDTA, DTPA, NTA and phosphonate products for strong metal binding at a low price per kilogram. Biodegradable chelation technology, near 41.0% (estimated), matches the green product share, since every green chelant uses a readily biodegradable molecule such as GLDA or MGDA. Nouryon's Dissolvine MAX range is ISCC Plus certified, which traces renewable feedstock through the supply chain.[3] Hybrid systems, about 13.5% by estimate, blend a conventional chelant with a green one to cut cost and keep binding strength. Hybrid blends count as conventional by product type because the blends still contain EDTA or phosphonate, so synthetic and hybrid systems together match the 59.0% conventional share. Biodegradable chemistry is the faster-growing technology and will gain share each time a detergent brand reformulates a synthetic or hybrid recipe.

• Pulp mills, boiler operators and industrial cleaners are the main buyers of synthetic chelation.
• BASF presented Trilon M Max BioBased at the Shanghai Carbon Neutrality Expo in June 2025.[6]

Why do liquid chelating agents lead form sales?

Liquid chelating agents lead form with an estimated 63.5% share in 2026, and powders hold about 36.5%.

Table 7: Form Share for the Chelating Agents Market (percentage share), 2026

Form	Estimated Share (2026)
Liquid Chelating Agents	63.5%
Powder Chelating Agents	36.5%
Total	100.0%

Liquid chelating agents will lead with 63.5% share in 2026. Pulp mills, liquid detergent plants and water treatment sites pump chelants from bulk tanks, so a 40% solution is the standard delivery form. Powders, at an estimated 36.5%, serve powder detergents, dishwasher tablets, fertiliser blends and export shipments that pay freight by weight. Liquid laundry formats have gained shelf space against powders in Europe and North America, which supports the liquid lead. Demand for powders will hold in India and Africa, as powder detergents still lead household laundry in both.

• Liquid grades ship as 40% solutions in bulk tankers and intermediate bulk containers to mills and detergent plants.
• The EU detergents act, Regulation (EU) 2026/405, was published on 2 March 2026 with stricter biodegradability standards for capsule films.[1]

Why do industrial buyers lead chelating agent end-use sales?

Industrial buyers lead end use with around 80.5% share in 2026 by estimate, ahead of agricultural users at about 10.5% and municipal utilities at an estimated 9.0%.

Table 8: End Use Share for the Chelating Agents Market (percentage share), 2026

End Use	Estimated Share (2026)
Industrial	80.5%
Agricultural	10.5%
Municipal	9.0%
Total	100.0%

Industrial buyers are likely to lead with 80.5% share in 2026, with pulp mills, detergent makers, food plants and oilfield service firms all buying as industrial customers. Detergent makers count as industrial buyers even though the end product reaches homes. Agricultural users, near 10.5% (estimated), buy chelated micronutrients through fertiliser blenders for high-value fruit and vegetable crops. Municipal utilities hold an estimated 9.0% for scale and corrosion control in drinking water and wastewater plants, and tender rules keep those buyers on the lowest-cost grade. Kemira reported steady demand from urban water utilities and weaker packaging, pulp and industrial water demand for April to June 2026.[7] Industrial buyers will keep the lead because every new pulp line and detergent plant adds to the industrial base.

• Pulp mills, detergent makers, food plants and oilfield service firms form the industrial group.
• Henkel Consumer Brands gave Nouryon a sustainability award for laundry detergent ingredients in February 2026.[8]

What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the chelating agents market?

New bleached pulp lines and stricter detergent rules keep chelant volumes growing, as mills and formulators need metal control in every batch. Rising feedstock costs squeeze conventional grades, and brands chasing ecolabels give bio-based chelates a growing part of reformulation work.

• Driver: Each new bleached kraft line signs multiyear chelant supply to protect brightness and peroxide efficiency, so mill expansion converts directly into steady tonnage for DTPA and EDTA suppliers.
• Restraint: Higher feedstock and energy costs pass straight into conventional chelant contracts, squeezing small detergent and water treatment formulators and pushing some toward cheaper imports.
• Opportunity: Detergent brands under ecolabel and phosphate pressure are reformulating with bio-based, readily biodegradable chelates, giving green chelant makers a route into large laundry and dishwasher accounts.

New Pulp Lines in Brazil Add Demand for Bleaching Chelants

Pulp capacity is the most direct source of new chelant tonnage, because bleaching chemistry ties chelant use to every tonne of bleached fibre. Demand for chelating agents in pulp bleaching is building in Brazil as Arauco and Nouryon prepare the Mato Grosso do Sul mill, in FMI's assessment. Growth of the folding carton and paperboard packaging market adds bleached board tonnage, and each peroxide bleaching stage needs a chelant to bind manganese and iron. Nouryon described the Arauco project as a $4.6 billion pulp mill and said the investment marks Nouryon's seventh integrated site in Brazil.[4] Arauco produced 1,138 thousand tonnes of pulp in the first quarter of 2026.[2] DTPA and EDTA suppliers will sign multiyear supply with Brazilian mills before the 2027 start-up, and green chelant suppliers will compete for the peroxide stage.

Feedstock and Energy Costs Push Up Conventional Prices

Cost inflation is the main brake on conventional chelants, because EDTA and DTPA prices track feedstock and energy closely and formulators have little room to absorb increases. Across North America, key challenges in the chelating agents market include rising raw material, energy and logistics costs, which BASF cited when raising Trilon prices in North America.[5] The increase covers liquid and solid forms of Trilon B, BD, BS, BX, C, D and G, plus two food grades.[5] Kemira said in July 2026 that higher raw material and logistics costs linked to the Iran war cut profitability, and that bleaching and base chemical sales declined on a subdued Nordic pulp market.[7] Detergent and water treatment buyers on annual contracts will absorb the increase at renewal, and small formulators will look at Asian EDTA imports. The risks behind the headline growth rate are price-driven, because a 5.8% CAGR in sales can hide flat volumes when price rises account for the growth.

Bio-Based Chelates for Cleaning Brands

From Shanghai to Berlin, sales potential is expected to emerge from cleaning brands in Europe and China that are reformulating with bio-based and degradable chelates. BASF showed Trilon M Max BioBased at the 2025 Shanghai Carbon Neutrality Expo and said the chelant delivers the same cleaning result with less heat and electricity in the wash.[6] BASF also said one kilogram of the product can cut 0.96 kilogram of CO2 emissions under the company's biomass-balance approach.[6] Nouryon launched the Dissolvine MAX range with 100% renewable carbon content at the SEPAWA Congress in Berlin in October 2025.[3] Liquid laundry and dishwasher brands will form the first buyer group. Descaling products also rely on chelants, and the washing machine cleaner market is projected to grow at a 6.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, which gives green grades a second home care outlet.

Which country CAGRs are profiled in the chelating agents market?

Table 9: Country CAGR Comparison for the Chelating Agents Market (CAGR percentage), 2026 to 2036

Country	CAGR (2026 to 2036)
South Korea	6.2%
Germany	6.0%
United Kingdom	5.6%
United States	5.5%
Japan	4.4%

How do country-level CAGRs compare in the chelating agents market?

Northern Ireland follows the new EU detergents act under the Windsor Framework, and DAERA assessed the regulation for the territory in March 2026.[1] FMI estimates South Korea at a 6.2% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, Germany at 6.0%, the United Kingdom at 5.6%, the United States at 5.5% and Japan at 4.4%, against a 5.8% global CAGR. Korea and Germany grow above the global rate because semiconductor rinse water and detergent reformulation add new chelant uses. Japan is lowest, with mature pulp and detergent plants adding little new capacity.

• Korean electronics and battery plants use high-purity chelants in process water.
• German detergent makers will reformulate ahead of the 23 September 2029 application date.[1]
• British brands selling into Northern Ireland and the EU will follow the same detergent rules.
• US EDTA buyers face a $0.33/kg Trilon increase from 1 July 2026.[5]
• Japanese makers of high-purity grades sell into Korean fabs and Southeast Asian plants.

Full report country CAGRs cover: Country tables span Germany and the United Kingdom in Western Europe, the United States in North America, Japan and South Korea within East Asia, and regional tables for Latin America, Eastern Europe, South Asia and Pacific, and Middle East and Africa.

Country-wise Analysis

South Korea Chelating Agents Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Chip fabs drive demand for chelants in South Korea, and FMI projects the highest profiled CAGR for South Korea, 6.2% from 2026 to 2036. Semiconductor fabs and battery material plants in Korea need ultrapure process water, and chelants hold metal ions out of rinse and cleaning baths. Korean detergent brands will add phosphate-free formats for export to Europe ahead of 2029.

Key takeaway: Electronics process water gives Korea a high-purity chelant outlet that few profiled countries match.

Germany Chelating Agents Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Regulation (EU) 2026/405 was published on 2 March 2026 and brings stricter biodegradability standards for surfactants and capsule films to German detergent plants.[1] Nouryon launched the renewable-carbon Dissolvine MAX range at SEPAWA in Berlin.[3] FMI projects German chelant sales to grow at a 6.0% CAGR from 2026 to 2036, with GLDA and MGDA gaining most of the reformulation volume.

Key takeaway: The 2029 application date sets the reformulation calendar for German brands.

United Kingdom Chelating Agents Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Sales of chelants in Britain will grow at a 5.6% CAGR from 2026 to 2036 on detergent and water treatment demand, FMI estimates. DAERA's assessment of the EU detergents act for Northern Ireland, dated 6 March 2026, sets out a 42-month transition period.[1] British brands with one formula for Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the EU will switch to the stricter recipe.

Key takeaway: Shared formulas with the EU pull British brands toward green chelants.

United States Chelating Agents Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Chelant sales in the United States are forecast to grow at a 5.5% CAGR from 2026 to 2036 in the FMI outlook, just under the global figure. BASF's price increase on Trilon grades from 1 July 2026 raises the cost of conventional chelants for American formulators.[5] Henkel presented Nouryon's award at the 2026 American Cleaning Institute meeting in Orlando, and the ingredients meet EPA Safer Choice requirements.[8]

Key takeaway: Price rises on EDTA and Safer Choice listings will steer US cleaning brands toward degradable grades.

Japan Chelating Agents Market Outlook (2026 to 2036)

Japan is likely to grow the slowest of the profiled countries, at a 4.4% CAGR from 2026 to 2036 in FMI's outlook, as pulp mills and detergent plants are mature and few new lines are planned. Japanese makers of high-purity grades will look to export markets in Korea and Southeast Asia.

Key takeaway: Exports of high-purity grades will carry Japanese producers.

Who are the notable companies in the chelating agents market?

BASF, Nouryon, Dow, Nippon Shokubai, LANXESS, Innospec, Actylis, Tosoh, Zhonglan Industry, Jungbunzlauer, Anil Bioplus, Van Iperen International and Arauco are among the profiled companies.

Tanker-scale supply of EDTA, DTPA and green grades comes from large chemical groups, and specialists serve gluconates, micronutrients and pharmaceutical grades. BASF sells the Trilon range and raised North American prices on nine grades in June 2026.[5] Nouryon sells Dissolvine chelates and launched the renewable-carbon Dissolvine MAX range at SEPAWA in Berlin.[3] BASF also sells Trilon M Max BioBased, a bio-based detergent chelant.[6]

Nippon Shokubai, LANXESS and Innospec sell biodegradable chelants into detergents and personal care. Jungbunzlauer and Anil Bioplus make gluconates, and Van Iperen International supplies chelated micronutrients to growers.

• Global chelant producers: BASF, Nouryon, and Dow.
• Biodegradable and specialty chelant makers: Nippon Shokubai, LANXESS, Innospec, Tosoh, and Actylis.
• Gluconate and micronutrient suppliers: Jungbunzlauer, Anil Bioplus, Zhonglan Industry, and Van Iperen International.
• Pulp producers buying chelants: Arauco.

Competitive Benchmarking: Chelating Agents Market

Table 10: Competitive Benchmarking for the Chelating Agents Market (qualitative documentation ratings), 2026

Company	Conventional Grades	Green Grades	Pulp and Detergent Reach	Recency
BASF	High	Medium	High	High
Nouryon	High	High	High	High
Dow	High	Low	Medium	Low
Nippon Shokubai	Low	Medium	Medium	Low
Jungbunzlauer	Low	Medium	Low	Medium

Scores mark the amount of dated company information found on each attribute and do not rank sales or share.

Key Developments in the Chelating Agents Market

• In July 2026, Kemira reported lower bleaching chemical sales on a subdued Nordic pulp market.[7]
• In June 2026, BASF announced a $0.33/kg price increase for Trilon chelating agents in North America from 1 July.[5]
• In May 2026, Arauco reported 62.1% progress on the Sucuriú pulp mill.[2]
• In March 2026, DAERA assessed Regulation (EU) 2026/405 for Northern Ireland.[1]
• In February 2026, Henkel Consumer Brands gave Nouryon a sustainability award for laundry detergent ingredients.[8]
• In October 2025, Nouryon launched the Dissolvine MAX chelate range.[3]
• In August 2025, Nouryon agreed to supply bleaching chemicals to Arauco's new pulp mill.[4]
• In June 2025, BASF presented Trilon M Max BioBased at the Shanghai Carbon Neutrality Expo.[6]

Key Players in the Chelating Agents Market

Global Chelant Producers

• BASF
• Nouryon
• Dow

Biodegradable and Specialty Chelant Makers

• Nippon Shokubai
• LANXESS
• Innospec
• Tosoh
• Actylis

Gluconate and Micronutrient Suppliers

• Jungbunzlauer
• Anil Bioplus
• Zhonglan Industry
• Van Iperen International

Pulp Producers Buying Chelants

• Arauco

Chelating Agents Market - Report Scope

Table 11: Report Scope for the Chelating Agents Market (coverage fields and definitions), 2026 to 2036

Coverage field	Report scope
Market breakdown	Product type; application; technology; form; end use; region
Quantitative units	USD billion
Market definition	Compounds that bind metal ions in solution, including EDTA, DTPA, phosphonates, gluconates, GLDA, MGDA and related chelants, sold to industrial, agricultural and municipal users.
Regions covered	North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; Middle East and Africa
Countries covered	United States; Canada; Brazil; Mexico; Argentina; Chile; Germany; France; United Kingdom; Italy; Spain; Benelux; Nordics; Poland; Czech Republic; Romania; Hungary; China; Japan; South Korea; India; ASEAN; Australia and New Zealand; GCC Countries; South Africa; Türkiye; Israel
Key companies profiled	BASF, Nouryon, Dow, Nippon Shokubai, LANXESS, Innospec, Actylis, Tosoh, Zhonglan Industry, Jungbunzlauer, Anil Bioplus, Van Iperen International, Arauco
Forecast period	2026 to 2036

Chelating Agents Market - Research Methodology

Table 12: Research Methodology for the Chelating Agents Market (research methods and approach), 2026 edition

Method	Approach
Data Sources	Producer price notices, pulp company results, government regulatory assessments and supplier releases dated May 2025 or later.
Desk Research	Desk research covers pulp capacity, detergent rules, chelant prices and green chelant launches.
Market Sizing and Forecasting	Sizing starts from the 2025 base of USD 8.5 billion and the 5.8% CAGR from 2026 to 2036.
Data Validation	Price, capacity and regulation dates follow the producer, pulp company and government releases.

Chelating Agents Market by Segments

Chelating Agents Market segmented by Product Type:

• Green Chelating Agents
• Conventional Chelating Agents

Chelating Agents Market segmented by Application:

• Water Treatment
• Agriculture
• Paper and Pulp
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food and Beverage
• Chemical Processing
• Household and Industrial Cleaning
• Oil and Gas
• Other Applications

Chelating Agents Market segmented by Technology:

• Biodegradable Chelation Technology
• Synthetic Chelation
• Hybrid Chelation Systems

Chelating Agents Market segmented by Form:

• Liquid Chelating Agents
• Powder Chelating Agents

Chelating Agents Market segmented by End Use:

• Industrial
• Agricultural
• Municipal

Chelating Agents Market by Region

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Chile
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Benelux
  • Nordics
• Eastern Europe
  • Poland
  • Czech Republic
  • Romania
  • Hungary
• East Asia
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• South Asia and Pacific
  • India
  • ASEAN
  • Australia and New Zealand
• Middle East and Africa
  • GCC Countries
  • South Africa
  • Türkiye
  • Israel

Research Sources and Bibliography

• [1] Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. (2026, March 6). Published Replacement EU Act Assessment of Impact, Regulation (EU) 2026/405. https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/globalassets/committee-blocks/windsor-framework-democratic-scrutiny-committee/reg-eu-2026405/aoi-detergents-daera.pdf
• [2] Arauco. (2026, May 26). 1Q 2026 Results (Form 6-K, Exhibit 99.1). https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/0001004156/000157587226000366/ara028_ex99-1.pdf
• [3] Nouryon. (2025, October 15). Nouryon advances leadership of cleaning ingredient solutions, launches innovative sustainable technologies at SEPAWA Congress. https://www.nouryon.com/newsroom/news-overview/2025/nouryon-advances-leadership-of-cleaning-ingredient-solutions-launches-innovative-sustainable-technologies-at-sepawa-congress/
• [4] Nouryon. (2025, August 12). Nouryon expands its South America industry-leading sodium chlorate capacity by 20% in support of new Arauco pulp mill. https://www.nouryon.com/newsroom/news-overview/2025/nouryon-expands-its-south-america-industry-leading-sodium-chlorate-capacity-by-20-in-support-of-new-arauco-pulp-mill-and-growing-brazilian-pulp-industry/
• [5] BASF. (2026, June 5). BASF to adjust prices for select Trilon chelating agents in North America. https://www.basf.com/us/en/media/market-news-/2026/BASF-to-adjust-prices-for-select-Trilon-chelating-agents-in-North-America
• [6] BASF. (2025, June 5). Co-drive Sustainable Journey, Co-create for Shared Success: BASF participates in the 2025 Shanghai Carbon Neutrality Expo. https://www.basf.com/cn/en/media/news-releases/asia-pacific/2025/06/cn-25-59
• [7] Kemira Oyj. (2026, July 17). Kemira Oyj's Half-Year Financial Report 2026: Profitability weakened by cost inflation, performance improvement measures continue. https://news.cision.com/kemira-oyj/r/kemira-oyj-s-half-year-financial-report-2026--profitability-weakened-by-cost-inflation--performance-,c4375563
• [8] Nouryon. (2026, February 12). Nouryon recognized by Henkel Consumer Brands with its 2025 Sustainability Award for innovative laundry detergent ingredients. https://www.nouryon.com/newsroom/news-overview/2026/nouryon-recognized-by-henkel-consumer-brands-with-its-2025-sustainability-award---for-innovative-laundry-detergent-ingredients/

This bibliography is provided for reader reference. The full report contains the complete reference list and detailed citations.

This Report Answers

• How big is the chelating agents market during 2026?
• What market size is projected by 2036?
• Which product type holds notable share?
• Which application holds notable share?
• Which countries have notable growth?
• Which companies are notable in the market?