Sulfur Dioxide Market Report 2026

The sulfur dioxide market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $6.08 billion in 2025 to $6.33 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of chemical manufacturing, expansion of pulp and paper industry, demand for food preservatives, early adoption in refrigeration systems, sulfur based industrial processing.

The sulfur dioxide market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.3 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growth of food and beverage industry, rising chemical production, increasing water treatment applications, regulatory driven emission control, expansion of agricultural fumigation. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use in food preservation, growing application in chemical manufacturing, rising demand from pulp and paper industry, expansion of winemaking applications, higher focus on emission control and safety.

The increasing demand for fertilizer is expected to propel the growth of the sulfur dioxide market going forward. Fertilizer refers to a substance added to the soil to provide one or more plant nutrients essential for plant growth and development. With urbanization and a declining agricultural workforce, there is a need for more intensive and efficient farming practices, including the increased use of fertilizers to boost crop yields. Fertilizers containing sulfuric acid can effectively provide plants with sulfur, a vital nutrient for their growth and development while aiding in the acidification of alkaline soils to improve nutrient availability and enhance plant health. For instance, in December 2023, according to a report published by the International Fertilizer Association (IFA), a France-based fertilizer association that provides plant nutrition solutions, global fertilizer consumption (N + P2O5 + K2O) is projected to increase by 3% to 191.5 million metric tons (Mt) of nutrients in fiscal year 2023, compared to previous years. Moreover, global fertilizer consumption is expected to rise by 2% in FY 2024 to reach 195.4 Mt. Therefore, increasing fertilizer demand drives the sulfur dioxide market.

Growth in industrial pulp and paper production is expected to drive the expansion of the sulfur dioxide market going forward. Industrial pulp and paper production refers to large-scale processing of wood into pulp and paper used for packaging, paperboard, and other paper products. Demand for industrial pulp and paper production is rising as manufacturers in regions such as North America and Asia increase output of market pulp and paper in response to growing packaging and hygiene paper needs. Sulfur dioxide supports this demand because pulp mills commonly use SO₂ in sulfite pulping processes to delignify wood and efficiently produce chemical pulp. For instance, in 2023, according to CEPI, a Brussels-based European pulp and paper association, European market pulp production rose by 4.8%, largely due to strong exports to China. Therefore, rising pulp production directly boosts demand for sulfur dioxide as a key chemical input in the pulping process.

Major companies operating in the sulfur dioxide market are focusing on advancing innovative technologies, such as cloud-connected gas detection solutions, to enhance monitoring efficiency, improve data accuracy, and streamline regulatory compliance processes. Cloud-connected gas detection solutions identify the presence of sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in the air and transmit the data to a cloud platform for continuous monitoring and analysis. For instance, in June 2023, Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, a Germany-based safety technology manufacturer, introduced the X-am 5800 portable multi-gas detector. The X-am 5800 can detect up to six different gases depending on sensor configuration, provides cloud-enabled live data transmission via Bluetooth, and includes rugged Ex Zone 0 certification for use in explosive environments. These capabilities enhance monitoring precision, support remote compliance management, and improve worker safety, though companies must ensure proper sensor calibration and maintain robust data security for cloud-based systems.

Major companies operating in the sulfur dioxide market are ESSECO Srl, Grillo-Werke AG, PVS Chemicals Inc., Ercros, Union Sulphur Company, Manufacturas Químicas Juan Messina SA, Calabrian Corporation, Boliden Group, Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd., WeylChem International GmbH, Aarti Industries Ltd., KMG Chemicals, Shiva Pharmachem Ltd., Jaysons Chemical Industries, Sarex Chemicals Ltd., Lanxess, BASF SE, INEOS, Arkema S.A., Solvay SA, Adisseo.

North America was the largest region in the sulfur dioxide market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the sulfur dioxide market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the sulfur dioxide market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The sulfur dioxide market consists of sales of sulfuric acid, sodium bisulfite, and sulfites. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.