Sodium sulphate is an inorganic salt that is primarily used in the production of glass, which is being increasingly used in the construction sector. In recent years, the expansion of the construction industry has created an extensive requirement for glass, owing to which, the production of sodium sulphate has escalated rapidly. Nowadays, the industry is using larger volumes of glass, as compared to cement and bricks, in the construction of modern buildings. Glass manufacturers use sodium sulphate as a fining agent to remove minute air bubbles from molten glass.

In addition, the soaring demand for powdered detergents from emerging economies of Asia-Pacific (APAC), Latin America (LATAM), and Africa, including Thailand, India, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Colombia, Indonesia, Chile, and Brazil, is expected to drive the sodium sulphate market at a CAGR of 2.6% during the forecast period (2019–2024). The market revenue stood at $2,019.3 million in 2018 and it is projected to exceed $2,109.4 million by 2024. The rising usage of detergents in such countries can be ascribed to the shift from hand to machines for washing clothes and macroeconomic growth of these countries.

The application segment of the sodium sulphate market is categorized into glass, textiles, pulp and paper, soaps and detergents, and others. In 2018, the soaps and detergents category generated the highest revenue, due to the increasing adoption of sodium sulphate as a desiccant and fining agent. The usage of this salt aids in locking the moisture within the detergents. Moreover, the low cost of this salt reduces the manufacturing cost of soaps and detergents.

According to P&S Intelligence, the APAC region consumed the highest quantity of sodium sulphate in the past few years, and it is expected to retain its dominance in the coming years as well. This can be primarily owed to the large-scale consumption of the inorganic salt in China for the production of textiles and soaps and detergents. Additionally, the surge in the personal care sector in China is augmenting the demand for sodium sulphate, as it is required for manufacturing soap bars, shampoos, body washes, and several other hygiene and personal care products.

Furthermore, the APAC sodium sulphate market is also expected to demonstrate the fastest growth throughout the forecast period. This can be ascribed to the escalating demand for paper, glass, soaps, and detergents to cater to the soaring population in the region. Besides, the growing awareness regarding hygiene, the surging popularity of Western culture, burgeoning population, and increasing purchasing power of the people in India, Vietnam, and China will also contribute to the market growth in the region.

Thus, the mounting demand for glass, soaps, and detergents in various parts of the world will boost the need for sodium sulphate in the coming years.