Ulexite Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Ulexite Market is projected to expand from 1.08 million Tonnes in 2025 to 1.55 million Tonnes by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 6.21%. Chemically characterized as a hydrated sodium calcium borate mineral, ulexite serves as a vital industrial raw material for manufacturing boron-based compounds, ceramics, and heat-resistant glass. The global market is primarily underpinned by sustained requirements from the fiberglass insulation and borosilicate glass sectors, where the mineral acts as a fluxing agent to reduce melting points and improve thermal durability. Furthermore, the agricultural industry functions as a foundational driver, utilizing ulexite to provide essential, slow-release boron micronutrients that enhance crop quality and yield, ensuring steady consumption levels regardless of temporary market fluctuations.

A major obstacle hindering broader market growth is the severe geographical concentration of commercially viable reserves, which leaves the supply chain acutely vulnerable to disruption. Reliance on a select few extraction sites subjects the global market to potential logistical bottlenecks and price instability during periods of regional unrest. According to the National Boron Research Institute, Turkey possessed roughly 73% of the world's total boron reserves in 2024, emphasizing the intense global dependence on this single jurisdiction for the bulk of primary ulexite supplies.

Market Drivers

The escalating global demand for boron-based agricultural fertilizers stands as a key propeller for the Ulexite market, given the mineral's role as a critical source of boron for plant reproductive growth and cell wall formation. Ulexite is increasingly preferred in fertilizer blends due to its solubility characteristics, which facilitate a sustained boron release to rectify soil deficiencies that limit crop yields in intensive farming areas. This growing agricultural need has prompted major producers to significantly expand capacities to guarantee supply security. According to the U.S. Geological Survey in January 2025, Turkey responded to this sector's growth by inaugurating a new granular boron production plant in September 2024 with an annual capacity of 35,000 tons, specifically engineered to serve the fertilizer industry.

Simultaneously, the surging market demand for borosilicate glass products functions as a strong catalyst, with ulexite widely used as a fluxing agent to lower melting temperatures and provide thermal shock resistance. This driver is further bolstered by the growing use of high-strength glass in pharmaceutical packaging, solar panels, and laboratory equipment, all of which require consistent, high-grade boron feedstock.

The magnitude of this industrial demand is underscored by substantial raw material flows; according to Mining.com in November 2025, Rio Tinto's boron operations satisfy roughly 30% of global demand, with a large portion feeding glass and ceramics supply chains. To satisfy the combined needs of these core sectors, production has accelerated, with the U.S. Geological Survey reporting in January 2025 that Turkey's borate production rose by 36% by the end of August 2024 compared to the previous year.

Market Challenges

The geographical concentration of commercially viable reserves serves as a primary obstruction to the Global Ulexite Market. This centralization compels the global supply chain to rely heavily on a small number of extraction sites, generating significant susceptibility to regional instability and logistical disruptions. When production is dominated by a single region, the market lacks the resilience to absorb supply shocks, resulting in periods of scarcity that interrupt manufacturing schedules within the agriculture and glass sectors. Consequently, potential buyers often show reluctance to commit to the long-term use of ulexite, fearing that raw material insecurity might jeopardize their operational continuity and production goals.

This dominance by a single jurisdiction also impedes competitive pricing mechanisms, rendering the market vulnerable to volatility influenced by local rather than global economic dynamics. The absence of alternative supply sources precludes the natural cost stabilization that typically characterizes diversified markets. According to Eti Maden, Turkey held a global boron sales market share of approximately 63% in 2024. This statistic underscores the intense reliance on one source for the majority of supply, creating a bottleneck that confines broader market development and maintains high entry barriers for new applications.

Market Trends

The transition toward natural ulexite in eco-friendly personal care products represents a rapidly growing trend as consumers increasingly reject synthetic chemical additives in favor of mineral-based ingredients. This movement is propelling the formulation of sustainable soaps and detergents where ulexite derivatives function as natural water softeners and cleaning agents, effectively substituting phosphate-based compounds. The commercial viability of this segment is demonstrated by the sales distribution of leading producers who have incorporated finished consumer goods into their industrial offerings. According to Türkiye Today in September 2024, domestic sales figures from Eti Maden showed that 11% of its total distribution in 2023 was specifically allocated to boron-based cleaning products, emphasizing the rising consumer adoption of these mineral-derived solutions.

Concurrently, the emergence of ulexite as a feedstock for boron nitride production is transforming the market's industrial value chain to support high-tech applications, such as thermal management in electric vehicles. As the demand for high-purity boron precursors rises within the advanced ceramics and electronics sectors, mining firms are activating new extraction capabilities to ensure a diversified supply of these critical materials. This advancement in the advanced materials supply chain was highlighted by a recent commercial achievement; according to 5E Advanced Materials in November 2024, the company successfully shipped its first full truckload of boric acid to a U.S. customer, establishing a vital domestic feedstock channel for downstream advanced processing.

Key Players Profiled in the Ulexite Market

• InCide Technologies Inc.
• Eti Maden
• American Borate Company
• Minera Santa Rita S.R.L.
• Bisley & Company Pty Ltd.
• Amalgamated Metal Corporation (M) Sdn. Bhd. (AMC)

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Ulexite Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Ulexite Market, by End-Use:

• Fertilizer
• Glass & Ceramics
• Chemical
• Others

Ulexite Market, by Sales Channel:

• Direct Sale
• Indirect Sale

Ulexite Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Ulexite Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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