Indonesia's sodium hexametaphosphate market has strong demand and is an important export destination for China

Sodium hexametaphosphate is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula (NaPO3) 6. It appears as a white crystalline powder, soluble in water but insoluble in organic solvents, with a density of 2.181g/cm3 and a melting point of 616 ℃.

From the perspective of the industrial chain, the upstream of the sodium hexametaphosphate industry is the supply of raw materials, such as caustic soda, liquid yellow phosphorus, sulfuric acid, etc; The midstream of the sodium hexametaphosphate industry is the production and processing stage, which is prepared through methods such as liquid-phase synthesis and solid-phase reaction. Its products include food grade sodium hexametaphosphate, industrial grade sodium hexametaphosphate, etc; The downstream of the sodium hexametaphosphate industry is the application field, mainly in food, water treatment, metallurgy, etc.

The global market size of sodium hexametaphosphate is expected to reach approximately RMB 3.5 billion in 2023, and is projected to reach RMB 4.7 billion from 2024 to 2029. China is one of the world's largest producers of sodium hexametaphosphate, with a market size of 1.05 billion yuan in 2023; Hubei, Sichuan, Chongqing and other major production areas. Thanks to the active development of downstream industries such as food and paper, the demand for sodium hexametaphosphate in countries such as Indonesia and Brazil is relatively strong.

Firstly, sodium sulfate can be used in the production and processing of meat products, dairy products, canned vegetables, and other products, playing an important role in the Indonesian food industry by preventing fat oxidation, improving taste and color. Secondly, the strong supply capacity of pulp and the improved processing and production capacity of enterprises provide favorable development conditions for the Indonesian paper export market. The trade surplus of Indonesian paper, cardboard and its products in 2022 is about 300 million US dollars, a year-on-year increase of nearly 62.5%; It is expected that its export value will continue to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.0% from 2023 to 2032, and sodium hexametaphosphate can be used as a dispersant and bleaching agent to improve the softness and whiteness of paper. As a result, its market demand has expanded to a certain extent.

According to the in-depth research and analysis report on the Indonesian sodium hexametaphosphate market from 2025 to 2029 released by the New Frontier Industry Research Center, with the continuous release of downstream market demand in China, the total amount of sodium hexametaphosphate imported by Indonesia from China has also shown an increasing trend. According to the data of the General Administration of Customs of China, the total export volume of sodium hexametaphosphate (customs code: 28353911, 28353919) in China in 2024 will be about 71000 tons, and the total export volume will be about 620 million yuan. Saudi Arabia, Turket and other Middle Eastern countries, as well as Indonesia, Italy, India, Brazil and other countries are the main export destinations; The total amount exported to Indonesia in 2023 is about 2816.5 tons, and in 2024 it is about 3852.6 tons, a year-on-year increase of nearly 36.8%.

According to market analysts from New World Indonesia, sodium hexametaphosphate has the potential to extend the service life of steelmaking converters, improve food taste, and prevent color changes in dyes. It has good application prospects in food processing, metallurgy, papermaking, printing and dyeing, water treatment, and other fields. The large population base and the increasing demand for healthy and high-quality food among residents have promoted the development of the Indonesian food market. Coupled with the continuous expansion of the paper export market, this has provided a driving force for the development of the upstream sodium hexametaphosphate market.