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Oxygen Scavenger Market Report Scope & Overview:
The Oxygen Scavenger Market size was valued at USD 5.1 Billion in 2023. It is expected to grow to USD 8.2 Billion by 2032 and grow at a CAGR of 6.0% over the forecast period of 2024-2032.
The demand for oxygen scavengers in the oil and gas sector is increasing predominantly because the oil and gas industry is becoming increasingly stringent in terms of protection against corrosion and oxidation in upstream and downstream processing. With the process of crude oil and gas extraction, oxidation, and corrosion that follows, if oxygen scavenging measures are not taken, production equipment, storage tanks, and pipelines are put in various forms of danger. Oxygen scavengers help to prevent oxidation by removing oxygen from the environment. The modern trend of strict emission control and environmental sustainability drives the demand even further, with the recommendation gradually becoming obligatory.
In recent years, the number of oil deposits found in the world has been increasing and the number of extraction and treatment facilities have been on the rise in humid climates or tough geographical locations. In particular, the use of pollutants has grown due to the need to keep the industry’s assets valid for longer and protect the pipelines otherwise at risk of corrosion.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. alone has over 2.6 million miles of pipeline infrastructure, which requires rigorous maintenance to prevent corrosion and ensure operational safety. This extensive infrastructure, along with increased investment in oil & gas projects, is driving the demand for oxygen scavengers as a vital component of corrosion control measures, helping to extend the lifespan of equipment and prevent costly downtime due to maintenance issues.
With the rising importance of sustainability, it has become evident that more and more industries opt for eco-friendly and non-toxic oxygen scavengers. While the new generation of these oxygen scavengers may be slightly more expensive than its traditional counterparts, their advantages outweigh the potential costs. In particular, non-toxic oxygen scavengers have become particularly popular in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Given the various safety and environmental considerations, as well as the growing concern of the target audience for sustainability, businesses find it reasonable to consider making the switch to non-toxic oxygen scavengers. Currently, a range of companies invest in oxygen scavengers that would not only facilitate the process of removing oxygen from the sealed environment but also disintegrate safely, without leaving chemical residue.
In municipal solid waste alone, more than 82 million of food and packaging waste appeared which equals 21 percent of the material that was sent to landfills and later combusted. The use of non-toxic oxygen scavengers could significantly contribute to the goal of generating less waste, as well as improve the approach to its further disposal. In conclusion, the trend toward the use of sustainable approaches, meaning non-toxic oxygen scavengers particularly, provides companies with opportunities to not only comply with safety and NWA requirements but also meet the expectations of the target audience with regard to being sustainable.
Category |
Details |
Key Function |
Prevents oxygen-induced degradation; Oxygen scavenger sachets reduce oxygen levels from 21% to <0.01% in sealed packaging. |
Types of Oxygen Scavengers |
- Inorganic: Iron-based scavengers are commonly used in food packaging. - Organic: Ascorbate and glucose-based scavengers are widely used in pharmaceuticals and food industries. |
Industries of Application |
- Food & Beverage: Major use in preserving packaged foods and preventing spoilage. - Pharmaceuticals: Oxygen scavengers used in blister packaging enhance shelf life by 20-25%. - Oil & Gas: Usage in pipelines reduces corrosion by 25%, saving millions annually in maintenance. - Power Generation: Boiler feedwater treatment with oxygen scavengers cuts operational costs by 10-15%. |
Packaging Solutions |
- Sachets and bottle caps are the most common, with sachets widely used in packaging applications. |
Benefits |
- Prolonged food shelf life by 30-50%, reducing spoilage and waste. - Corrosion reduction in industrial systems extends equipment life by 15-20%. |
Challenges |
- Iron-based oxygen scavengers are costlier by 20-25% compared to organic alternatives, affecting adoption in smaller firms. |
Regulatory Considerations |
- FDA-approved oxygen scavengers are used in 85% of food packaging in the U.S. |
Drivers
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Demand for fresh and quality packaged food is growing
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Growing demand from end-use industries for process water
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Consumer concern over reducing food waste and demand for advanced packaging is growing.
Increasing consumer interest in food waste reduction has a strong impact on the expansion of the advanced packaging industry. As people become more environmentally conscious, they look for opportunities to decrease their personal contribution to pollution, and food waste, as an extensive problem, becomes the object of serious concern. Therefore, the demand for packaging solutions that increase a product’s shelf life has grown significantly. Many of these packages use special compounds that actively remove oxygen from the product environment, which significantly enhances its freshness. This trend is especially characteristic of produce, meat, and dairy, where spoilage happens at much faster rates than in any processed foods.
According to the United Nations Environment Programme, up to 931 million tons of food are wasted worldwide every year, and the modern primary cause of food waste is the packages that are not sufficiently good at preserving the product. Businesses can positively affect both the environment and stakeholders by investing in innovative packages that remove oxygen. Instead of constantly raising demand for new products, people are increasingly interested in obtaining the maximum possible quality from a purchase, and using innovative packages as an attempt to respond to a critical global issue is bound to leave a positive impression on the conscious environmentally conscious customer.
Restraint
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Oxygen scavengers are non-volatile substances
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Several oxygen scavenger compounds have health risks that hamper the market growth.
There are health risks associated with using certain oxygen scavenger compounds, which can be a disadvantage to their use and lead to market growth. For example, traditional oxygen scavengers containing aqueous sodium sulfite or metallic iron powder and an aqueous acid release hazardous chemical compounds that can be dangerous if not handled carefully or if in contact with consumable materials. In the case of food packaging, the potential health risks will be because consumers can accidentally ingest the substance, or poor food processing packaging techniques dispose of the food scavenger along with the food. There are also many sensitive products in pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging, and health hazards and they can be adversely affected by potential toxic elements in the oxygen scavenger. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and other regulatory bodies, have very strict guidelines on the use of chemical additives in packaging materials when there is contact with food or other medical products. The disadvantages of this are that it increases the overall cost and that its health risk control may fuel innovation, but at the same time, hinder market growth in its entirety.
Opportunity
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Growing disposable incomes and a rise in the demand for packaged food in emerging economies.
The changes in regional disposable incomes associated with growing rural areas, particularly in emerging economies, are notably fostering emerging opportunities for oxygen scavenger market growth. Especially, the regions of Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa feature a segment of the population with rising purchasing power. As a result, the dominant drivers of the food market in the specified countries include a significant shift from basic nutrition to a middle-class preference for convenient, ready-to-eat foods, and pre-packaged meals. The stated change is relevant, as the number of urbanized and employed individuals in need of time-saving solutions is increasing. Besides, the expanding middle class is showing a rising interest in food safety and quality. Other drivers of market growth include the development of food preservation technology and the growing use of advanced packaging solutions by manufacturers in the mentioned areas. Consequently, the feasibility of the market growth is supported by the growing middle-class population worldwide. According to the World Bank, the global middle class is to grow by almost 70 million people annually, while the majority of representatives of the class reside in developing countries. Resultantly, the number of companies, producing food packaging and requiring high oxygen scavenger performance standards, is to grow, extending market demand.
Market segmentation
By Type
The inorganic oxygen scavengers held the largest market share around 62% in 2023. A wide range of inorganic compounds including but not limited to iron powder and sodium sulfite are increasingly being used in different types of packaging, especially in food, pharmaceutical, and oil & gas industries due to the robust nature of these scavengers. Their usage is limited only by their effectiveness in removing oxygen and preventing oxidation. Moreover, as oxygen is usually present in industrial settings or directly from the atmosphere, the inorganic scavengers are known for their ability to operate in a broad range of challenging environmental conditions. However, there are also organic oxygen scavengers including but not limited to ascorbic acid and certain polymers, which are increasingly being used especially by the food and pharmaceutical industries due to their non-toxic nature. While the inorganic oxygen scavengers would maintain their dominant market position in the foreseeable future, the market for scavengers is changing so that the organic types are increasing in demand too and the trends toward green innovation influence the overall market.
By End-Use Industry
The food and beverage industry held the largest market share around 32% in 2023. As consumers prioritize freshness and safety, the adoption of advanced packaging solutions that incorporate oxygen scavengers has surged, allowing manufacturers to effectively inhibit oxidation and spoilage. This trend is particularly pronounced in perishable goods, such as meat, dairy, and ready-to-eat meals, where maintaining product integrity is crucial. While the pharmaceutical sector also represents a significant application for oxygen scavengers due to the need to preserve the stability of sensitive medications its growth is not as rapid as that of the food and beverage industry. Other sectors, including oil and gas, chemical, pulp, and paper, contribute to the overall market but generally utilize oxygen scavengers for specific corrosion control applications rather than for mass consumer products. As such, the food and beverage sector remains the key driver of growth in the oxygen scavenger market, reflecting broader consumer trends toward convenience and safety in food consumption.
Regional Analysis
The North America region held the largest market share around 44% in 2023. It is primarily driven by the robust demand from the food and beverage, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors. The region benefits from a well-established food packaging industry, where the emphasis on food safety and quality has led to the widespread adoption of oxygen scavengers to enhance product longevity and reduce spoilage. Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry in North America is one of the largest globally, with stringent regulations regarding product integrity and efficacy, further propelling the use of oxygen scavengers in packaging solutions. The region's focus on innovation and technology has fostered the development of advanced scavenging solutions, making them more effective and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, the rising consumer awareness regarding food waste and the growing preference for packaged goods are contributing to the increasing demand for oxygen scavengers in North America.

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Key Players
Key Manufacturers
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SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions (Oxygen Scavenger Products)
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BASF SE (BASF Oxygen Scavengers)
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Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc. (MGK Oxygen Scavenger)
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Arkema Group (Arkema Oxy-Saver)
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Ecolab Inc. (Ecolab Oxygen Scavenger Solutions)
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Clariant AG (Clariant OxyGuard)
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Accepta (Accepta 8206)
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Kraft Chemical Company (Kraft Oxygen Scavenger)
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Cargill, Inc. (Cargill Oxygen Absorbers)
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Sealed Air Corporation (Sealed Air Oxygen Scavenger Film)
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Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. (Mitsui Oxygen Scavenger)
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Tianjin Dagu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Dagu Oxygen Scavenger)
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SABIC (SABIC Oxygen Scavenger Additives)
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Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (Air Products O2 Scavenger)
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Brenntag AG (Brenntag Oxygen Scavenger Solutions)
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ProAmpac (ProAmpac Oxygen Absorber Packets)
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Nippon Gohsei (Nippon Gohsei Oxygen Scavenger)
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Global Closing Solutions, Inc. (GCS Oxygen Scavenger)
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MagneGas Corporation (MagneGas Oxygen Scavenger)
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Synlogic, Inc. (Synlogic Oxygen Scavenger Technologies)
Key Users in End -Use Industry
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Nestlé S.A.
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PepsiCo, Inc.
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Coca-Cola Company
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Johnson & Johnson
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Pfizer Inc.
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ExxonMobil Corporation
Recent Development:
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In 2023, BASF launched a new line of biodegradable oxygen scavengers designed to enhance the shelf life of food products while minimizing environmental impact.
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In 2023, SUEZ launched innovative oxygen scavenging technology tailored for industrial applications, focusing on corrosion prevention in water treatment systems.
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In 2022, Ecolab introduced advanced oxygen scavenger solutions that improve the efficiency of water treatment processes in food processing plants, contributing to reduced waste and energy use.
Report Attributes | Details |
---|---|
Market Size in 2023 | US$ 5.1 Billion |
Market Size by 2032 | US$ 8.2 Billion |
CAGR | CAGR of 6.0% From 2024 to 2032 |
Base Year | 2023 |
Forecast Period | 2024-2032 |
Historical Data | 2020-2022 |
Report Scope & Coverage | Market Size, Segments Analysis, Competitive Landscape, Regional Analysis, DROC & SWOT Analysis, Forecast Outlook |
Key Segments | • By Type (Inorganic oxygen scavengers, Organic oxygens scavengers) • By End-use industry (Food & beverage, Pharmaceutical, Power, Oil & gas, Chemical, Pulp & paper, Others) |
Regional Analysis/Coverage | North America (USA, Canada, Mexico), Europe (Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, South Korea, China, India, Australia, Rest of Asia-Pacific), The Middle East & Africa (Israel, UAE, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa), Latin America (Brazil, Argentina, Rest of Latin America) |
Company Profiles | SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions, BASF SE, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., Arkema Group, Ecolab Inc., Clariant AG, Accepta, and other players. |
DRIVERS | • Demand for Fresh and Quality Packaged Food Is Growing • Growing Demand from End-Use Industries for Process Water • Consumer concern over reducing food waste and demand for advanced packaging is growing |
Restraints | • Oxygen scavengers are non-volatile substances. • There are several oxygen scavenger compounds that have health risks. |