Zeolites Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2025 - 2030)

The Zeolite Market Report Segments the Industry by Product Type (Natural Zeolite and Synthetic Zeolites), Form (Powder, Granules/Pellets, and More), Application (Adsorbents, Catalysts, and More), End-User Industry (Water Treatment, Air Purification, Agriculture, and More), and Geography (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, South America, and Middle-East and Africa). The Market Forecasts are Provided in Terms of Value (USD).

Zeolites Market Size and Share

Zeolites Market (2025 - 2030)
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Zeolites Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The zeolite market is valued at USD 9.56 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 11.6 billion by 2030, expanding at a 3.94% CAGR between 2025 and 2030. Robust demand from water treatment, petrochemical catalysis, and next-generation membrane technologies underpins steady growth. Asia-Pacific leads the global zeolite market as tightening environmental rules spur catalyst and adsorbent uptake. Water treatment is the most dynamic end-use, on the back of stricter heavy-metal discharge limits, while petrochemical applications retain the largest slice due to their entrenched role in fluid catalytic cracking.

Key Report Takeaways

  • By product type, natural grades held 55% of the zeolite market share in 2024, while synthetic variants are projected to log the fastest 5.60% CAGR through 2030.
  • By form, powder accounted for 60% of the zeolite market size in 2024; membranes and coatings are poised to expand at a 6.11% CAGR to 2030.
  • By application, catalysts generated 35% of 2024 revenue, yet adsorbents will record the quickest 5.50% CAGR during 2025-2030.
  • By end-user industry, petrochemicals led with 40% of the zeolite market share in 2024; water treatment is forecast to rise at a 6.50% CAGR to 2030.
  • By geography, Asia-Pacific contributed 45% of global sales in 2024, growing 6.20% to 2030.

Segment Analysis

By Product Type: Natural Grades Maintain Lead While Engineered Variants Accelerate

Natural zeolites commanded 55% of the market in 2024 thanks to vast deposits of clinoptilolite, chabazite, and mordenite that require only crushing and sizing before use. These minerals support agriculture, livestock, and bulk adsorption, giving them a durable cost edge over synthetics. Acid-modified clinoptilolite now removes 94% Pb²⁺ and 84% As³⁺, narrowing the performance gap with engineered frameworks. 

Synthetic zeolites will post a 5.60% CAGR. Precision control of Si/Al ratio and pore topology enables high activity in FCC, hydrocracking, and NOx reduction. The zeolite market size for synthetic Y-type catalysts alone is projected to expand with rising heavy-oil processing. Suppliers devote significant research and development to dual-framework designs that unlock higher light-olefin yields, sustaining premium pricing and margin resilience.

Zeolite Market
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Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

By Form: Powders Dominate While Membrane Coatings Surge

Powders retained 60% revenue in 2024, underpinning detergent, catalyst slurry, and master-batch applications. Their high external surface area guarantees rapid adsorption and easy dispersion. Stable demand from laundry builders and FCC catalysts anchors this segment of the zeolite market.

Membrane/coating formats, while still niche, will rise 6.11% annually. Seamless, defect-free zeolite layers on ceramic or metal substrates now deliver molecular sieving for hydrogen purification and ethanol dehydration. Breakthroughs in secondary growth techniques produce sub-100 nm oriented ZSM-5 films, slashing permeance loss. Several European pilot installations target post-combustion CO₂ capture, hinting at sizeable upside for this advanced form factor within the broader zeolite market.

By Application: Catalysts Lead, Adsorbents Advance Fastest

Catalysts generated 35% of 2024 revenue, anchored by FCC units that treat 15 million barrels per day. W.R. Grace’s NEKTOR 4G, featuring dual-zeolite matrices, exemplifies continuous innovation aimed at heavier feeds. Zeolite frameworks’ shape-selectivity ensures they remain irreplaceable for propylene-maximization and BTX production, safeguarding their dominant share of the zeolite market.

Adsorbents, however, will outpace all other uses at 5.50% CAGR. Synthetic NaP1_FA and zeolite-carbon composites remove more than 90% of pharmaceuticals within a 2-minute contact time, a critical advantage for tertiary wastewater polishing. Growing legislative focus on trace organics will funnel investment toward high-capacity zeolite adsorbents, enlarging the zeolite market size for this application band.

By End-User Industry: Petrochemicals Remain Core, Water Treatment Surges

Petrochemical plants accounted for 40% revenue in 2024, a testament to zeolites’ central role in cracking, isomerization, and alkylation circuits. Research into hierarchically structured Y-zeolites extends cycle length and mitigates vanadium poisoning, reinforcing the segment’s scale.

Though representing a smaller base, water utilities will expand 6.50% per year. Modified zeolite filters now capture 98% Fe³⁺ and 95% Mn²⁺ from well water, enabling compliance with World Health Organization limits at modest operating cost. Heightened investment in decentralized treatment across Asia-Pacific propels this use case, further diversifying the zeolite market.

Zeolite Market
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Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific held 45% of global sales in 2024, reflecting unrivaled petrochemical expansion, rapid urbanization, and stringent regional emission directives. China’s 14th Five-Year Plan backs local catalyst innovation, ensuring secure supply for propylene-rich crackers and driving steady demand across the zeolite market. Parallel policies mandating low-NOx combustion and advanced wastewater plants catalyze broader uptake.

Europe prioritizes environmental performance, pushing automakers to adopt Cu-CHA catalysts and refiners to install desulfurization adsorbers that rely on zeolite frameworks. The European Green Deal’s circular-economy measures, including mandatory waste-oil re-refining targets of up to 85% by 2030, elevate future adsorbent requirements[2]Marschinski, “The Economics of Waste Oil Recycling in the EU,” Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy, tandfonline.com .

North America maintains robust consumption through its established refinery network and rising adoption of zeolite-based SCR and GHG-to-chemicals catalysts. Domestic sourcing initiatives encourage capacity additions for high-silica frameworks, reinforcing supply security for specialty applications and supporting the zeolite market’s steady North American footprint.

The Middle-East leverages abundant crude to build integrated complexes targeting higher-value olefins and aromatics. GCC investments in residue-upgrading hinge on zeolite catalysts able to tolerate sulfur and metals, ensuring consistent order flow. Africa and South America remain emerging but promising; Brazilian projects tackling groundwater contamination via clinoptilolite beds exemplify localized water treatment growth. Collectively, these regions add incremental volume that reinforces global zeolite market expansion.

Zeolite Market
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Competitive Landscape

The zeolite market is moderately fragmented. Strategic alliances align catalyst technology with circular-economy opportunities. Regional specialists in China and India expand capacity at double-digit rates, leveraging cost efficiencies to challenge incumbents in commodity powder grades. Some are pivoting toward membrane products and biomedical niches, evidenced by PMA-Zeolite’s gastrointestinal detox formulations. 

Zeolites Industry Leaders

  1. BASF

  2. Clariant

  3. Honeywell International Inc.

  4. TOSOH CORPORATION

  5. W. R. Grace & Co

  6. *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Zeolites Market - Market Concentration
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Recent Industry Developments

  • January 2024: W.R. Grace & Co. earmarked USD 300 million to expand Louisiana sites, including USD 234 million for larger zeolite water-softening capacity.
  • November 2023: Zeolyst International launched Opal Infinity zeolite products aimed at enhancing advanced plastic-recycling efficiency.

Table of Contents for Zeolites Industry Report

1. Introduction

  • 1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
  • 1.2 Scope of the Study

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Landscape

  • 4.1 Market Overview
  • 4.2 Market Drivers
    • 4.2.1 Increasing Demand from Water Treatment Industry
    • 4.2.2 Increasing Use of Zeolite as Refrigeration Adsorbents
    • 4.2.3 Significant Usage of Zeolites for Catalytic Cracking in the Petroleum Industry
    • 4.2.4 Growth of Petrochemical Capacity Additions in China and Middle East Elevating Demand for FCC Catalysts Based on Y-Zeolite
    • 4.2.5 Growing Demand in Catalysis
  • 4.3 Market Restraints
    • 4.3.1 Abundant Availability of Low-Cost Silica Gel and Activated Carbon Adsorbents Reducing Zeolite Uptake in Industrial Drying
    • 4.3.2 Volatility in Aluminosilicate Feedstock Costs Due to Bauxite Mining Restrictions
    • 4.3.3 Catalyst Disposal Regulations in EU Increasing Spent Zeolite Handling Costs
  • 4.4 Value Chain Analysis
  • 4.5 Regulatory Outlook
  • 4.6 Porter's Five Forces
    • 4.6.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
    • 4.6.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers
    • 4.6.3 Threat of New Entrants
    • 4.6.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services
    • 4.6.5 Degree of Competition

5. Market Size and Growth Forecasts (Value)

  • 5.1 By Product Type
    • 5.1.1 Natural Zeolite
    • 5.1.2 Synthetic Zeolite
  • 5.2 By Form
    • 5.2.1 Powder
    • 5.2.2 Granules / Pellets
    • 5.2.3 Honeycomb / Blocks
    • 5.2.4 Membranes / Coatings
  • 5.3 By Application
    • 5.3.1 Adsorbents
    • 5.3.2 Catalysts
    • 5.3.3 Detergents
    • 5.3.4 Other Application (Refining and Biogas)
  • 5.4 By End-user Industry
    • 5.4.1 Water Treatment
    • 5.4.2 Air Purification
    • 5.4.3 Agriculture
    • 5.4.4 Petrochemical
    • 5.4.5 Construction
    • 5.4.6 Others (Medical, Nuclear)
  • 5.5 By Geography
    • 5.5.1 Asia-Pacific
    • 5.5.1.1 China
    • 5.5.1.2 India
    • 5.5.1.3 Japan
    • 5.5.1.4 South Korea
    • 5.5.1.5 ASEAN
    • 5.5.1.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific
    • 5.5.2 North America
    • 5.5.2.1 United States
    • 5.5.2.2 Canada
    • 5.5.2.3 Mexico
    • 5.5.3 Europe
    • 5.5.3.1 Germany
    • 5.5.3.2 United Kingdom
    • 5.5.3.3 France
    • 5.5.3.4 Italy
    • 5.5.3.5 Nordics
    • 5.5.3.6 Rest of Europe
    • 5.5.4 South America
    • 5.5.4.1 Brazil
    • 5.5.4.2 Argentina
    • 5.5.4.3 Chile
    • 5.5.4.4 Rest of South America
    • 5.5.5 Middle-East and Africa
    • 5.5.5.1 Saudi Arabia
    • 5.5.5.2 United Arab Emirates
    • 5.5.5.3 South Africa
    • 5.5.5.4 Egypt
    • 5.5.5.5 Rest of Middle-East and Africa

6. Competitive Landscape

  • 6.1 Market Concentration
  • 6.2 Strategic Moves
  • 6.3 Market Share(%)/ Ranking Analysis
  • 6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market level overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
    • 6.4.1 BASF
    • 6.4.2 Albemarle Corporation
    • 6.4.3 Arkema
    • 6.4.4 Blue Pacific Minerals
    • 6.4.5 Clariant
    • 6.4.6 GCMIL
    • 6.4.7 Honeywell International Inc.
    • 6.4.8 Huiying Chemical Industry (Quanzhou) Co.
    • 6.4.9 International Zeolite Corp.
    • 6.4.10 Interra Global
    • 6.4.11 KNT Group
    • 6.4.12 NINGBO JIAHE NEW MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CO.,LTD
    • 6.4.13 PQ
    • 6.4.14 Resonac Holdings Corporation
    • 6.4.15 St. Cloud Mining
    • 6.4.16 TOSOH CORPORATION
    • 6.4.17 W. R. Grace & Co
    • 6.4.18 Zeochem
    • 6.4.19 Zeolyst International
    • 6.4.20 Zeotech

7. Market Opportunities and Future Outlook

  • 7.1 Increasing Demand for Compact Detergents
  • 7.2 White-space and Unmet-need Assessment
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Global Zeolites Market Report Scope

Zeolites are solid minerals composed of aluminum, silicon, and oxygen, forming a framework of cavities that can hold water or other small molecules. This three-dimensional crystalline structure is also known as a molecular sieve due to its gaps. Zeolites are either mined from volcanic rocks or synthesized industrially on a large scale from aluminosilicate gels. The zeolites market is segmented by product type, application, end-user industry, and geography. By product type, the market is segmented into natural and synthetic. Based on application, the market is segmented into adsorbents, catalysts, detergents, and other applications. Based on the end-user industry, the market is segmented into water treatment, air purification, agriculture, petrochemical, construction, and other end-user industries. The report also covers the market sizes and forecasts for the zeolites market in 15 countries across major regions. The market sizing and forecasts are based on each segment's value (USD million).

By Product Type Natural Zeolite
Synthetic Zeolite
By Form Powder
Granules / Pellets
Honeycomb / Blocks
Membranes / Coatings
By Application Adsorbents
Catalysts
Detergents
Other Application (Refining and Biogas)
By End-user Industry Water Treatment
Air Purification
Agriculture
Petrochemical
Construction
Others (Medical, Nuclear)
By Geography Asia-Pacific China
India
Japan
South Korea
ASEAN
Rest of Asia-Pacific
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Nordics
Rest of Europe
South America Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Rest of South America
Middle-East and Africa Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
South Africa
Egypt
Rest of Middle-East and Africa
By Product Type
Natural Zeolite
Synthetic Zeolite
By Form
Powder
Granules / Pellets
Honeycomb / Blocks
Membranes / Coatings
By Application
Adsorbents
Catalysts
Detergents
Other Application (Refining and Biogas)
By End-user Industry
Water Treatment
Air Purification
Agriculture
Petrochemical
Construction
Others (Medical, Nuclear)
By Geography
Asia-Pacific China
India
Japan
South Korea
ASEAN
Rest of Asia-Pacific
North America United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe Germany
United Kingdom
France
Italy
Nordics
Rest of Europe
South America Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Rest of South America
Middle-East and Africa Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
South Africa
Egypt
Rest of Middle-East and Africa
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Key Questions Answered in the Report

How large is the zeolite market today, and how fast will it grow?

The zeolite market stands at USD 9.56 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 11.6 billion by 2030, advancing at a 3.94% CAGR.

Which region represents the biggest opportunity for zeolite suppliers?

Asia-Pacific leads with 45% of global revenue in 2024 and is forecast to grow at 6.20% CAGR, buoyed by petrochemical expansion and stricter environmental rules.

What application segment is expanding the fastest?

Water treatment is the most dynamic end-use, growing at 6.50% CAGR as utilities adopt high-capacity zeolite adsorbents for heavy-metal and trace-organic removal.

Why are synthetic zeolites gaining share despite higher cost?

Engineered pore structures and controllable acidity give synthetic zeolites superior catalytic performance, driving a 5.60% CAGR in segments such as FCC and NOx reduction.

How is feedstock volatility affecting zeolite producers?

Restrictions on bauxite mining raise alumina prices, squeezing synthetic zeolite margins; green synthesis using kaolin waste is emerging as a mitigation route.

Page last updated on: June 25, 2025

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