Metallic stearates are salts or esters of long-chain fatty acids with various alkali metals of different valency. They are obtained by replacing stearic acid’s carboxylic hydrogen with a metal cation from metal oxide, metal sulfates, and metal chlorides. The presence of long-chain fatty acids makes the metal stearate highly water-resistant. Besides, the stearates have a higher melting point than other metal soaps and are good for lubrication.
Metallic stearates have a wide range of applications due to their excellent water repellence, gelling capacity, and lubricating properties. This blog post provides an overview of the most common metallic stearates in the market. Also, it details how the metallic stearates market is expanding and what factors are fueling its growth.
A Look at the Various Metallic Stearates
Aluminum stearates: These stearates are available in three main forms – monostearate, distearate, and tristearate. Aluminum stearates are commonly used as lubricants in polycarbonate formulations. Also, they have the application of gelling plasticizers in vinyl plastigels. Furthermore, they can repel water and maintain thermal stability in plastic manufacturing.
Zinc stearates: These stearates take the form of a fine, bulky powder having a peculiar odor. Zinc stearates aren’t soluble in polar solvents like ether, but they do get soluble in aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene upon heating. Owing to their high heat stability and dispersion abilities, zinc stearates are widely used as lubricants and dispersing agents in the rubber and plastic industry.
Calcium stearate: These stearates are known for their low bulk density. Calcium stearate plays an important role as an acid scavenging agent in the polymer synthesis process to determine long-term properties, such as the thermal conductivity of polymer for UV degradation. Also, calcium stearates developed by key manufacturers are used in polypropylenes and polyolefins system applications.
Barium stearate: Barium stearate is renowned for its high melting point, enabling the faster processing of PVC. As a co-stabilizer, it gives good gloss and color to the final product. Also, it can be used as a lubricant for PVC applications.
Growth Drivers
The metallic stearates market was valued at USD 3,414.87 million in 2022 and is expected to grow to USD 5,849.67 million at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period.
Metallic stearates are often preferred over their traditional counterparts owing to their numerous advantages, such as biodegradability and environmental compatibility. The need for metal stearates has increased due to the growing emphasis on sustainability, further bolstering the market’s growth.
The shortage of natural rubber is another factor boosting the demand for metallic stearates. Manufacturers are increasingly seeking synthetic rubber as an alternative to natural rubber. This, in turn, has increased the demand for metallic stearates in artificial rubber production. Moreover, metallic stearates play an important role in enhancing the properties and performance of various rubber compounds, further driving the metallic stearates market sales.
Zinc Segment Is Anticipated to Witness the Fastest Growth
The zinc segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest rate over the forecast period. This is because zinc stearates have many applications across numerous sectors, including rubber, paints, coatings, and pharmaceuticals. Besides, the versatility of zinc stearates to enhance surface properties and offer thermal stability makes them an integral part of various applications.
Geographic Analysis
Asia Pacific: Asia Pacific is expected to witness a higher growth rate in the near future. APAC provides a favorable manufacturing environment with lower production and labor costs than other regions. This has led to increased investment and the establishment of manufacturing plants by multinational firms, creating a robust market for metallic stearates in the Asia Pacific.
North America: North America is anticipated to hold a large revenue share of the metallic stearates market. This is because the region has the presence of a significant number of well-established industries with high demand for metal stearates. The steady growth of these sectors drives the sales of metallic stearates in the region.
To Conclude
Metallic stearates are metal salts that are being used in the rubber industry for quite a while now. The physical properties of metallic stearates make them useful for a wide range of purposes, including the production of electric vehicles. The demand for metallic stearates has gained significant momentum in the automotive industry as the sector transitions towards more eco-friendly mobility solutions. As a result, the metallic stearates market is expected to grow at a steady rate in the upcoming years.