Zinc Oxide Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Form (Powder, Pellets), By End User (Automotive, Construction, Paints & Coatings, Pharmaceutical, Agriculture, Others), By Region and Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The Global Zinc Oxide Market, valued at USD 5.61 Billion in 2024, is projected to experience a CAGR of 4.05% to reach USD 7.11 Billion by 2030. Zinc oxide, an inorganic white powder insoluble in water, is a widely utilized compound across various industrial applications. The market's expansion is fundamentally supported by its diverse demand across end-user sectors, including its role as a vulcanization activator in the rubber and tire industry, its application in ceramics and glass for enhanced properties, and its use in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations for UV protection and antimicrobial benefits. Furthermore, the increasing incorporation of zinc oxide in agricultural chemicals and the electronics sector contributes to sustained growth. According to the International Lead and Zinc Study Group, worldwide refined zinc consumption reached 13.6 million tons in 2023. Acknowledging that zinc oxide is a primary derivative, it is understood that a significant portion of this refined zinc contributes to its production, with 9% of global zinc usage allocated to oxides and chemicals in 2022, according to the Government of Canada.

However, the global zinc oxide market faces a considerable impediment due to the inherent price volatility of its primary raw material, zinc. Fluctuations in zinc prices directly impact production costs and overall market competitiveness, posing a challenge for manufacturers and potentially influencing market expansion.

Key Market Drivers

The growing demand from the rubber and tire manufacturing sector continues to be a primary driver for the global zinc oxide market. Zinc oxide is indispensable as a vulcanization activator in rubber processing, a critical step that enhances the strength, elasticity, and durability of rubber products. This demand is intrinsically linked to the expansion of the automotive industry and the replacement tire market worldwide. According to the International Rubber Study Group, in September 2023, "EVs, China growth to drive global rubber demand in 2023", global demand for natural and synthetic rubbers was set to grow by over 2% year-on-year in 2023, underscoring the consistent need for zinc oxide in this substantial industrial application.

Another significant factor is the increasing utilization of zinc oxide across the cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceuticals sectors. In these industries, zinc oxide is valued for its UV-filtering properties in sunscreens, its astringent and antimicrobial qualities in various skincare formulations, and its therapeutic benefits in medicinal creams and ointments. This expansive application base contributes robustly to market growth. The European cosmetics market, for instance, reached a total value of €103.9 billion in 2024, as reported by Cosmetics Europe in July 2025, demonstrating substantial market scale and a continuous need for active ingredients such as zinc oxide. Overall, the global zinc market faces dynamic supply and demand conditions; according to the International Lead and Zinc Study Group, in October 2024, "The Global Zinc Market Faces a Sizeable Supply Deficit in 2024", indicating a shortage of 164,000 metric tons in 2024.

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Key Market Challenges

The global zinc oxide market's expansion is significantly impeded by the inherent price volatility of its primary raw material, zinc. Fluctuations in zinc prices directly influence the production costs for zinc oxide manufacturers. This instability makes cost forecasting and stable pricing strategies difficult, impacting overall market competitiveness. Such unpredictable raw material costs create an environment of uncertainty for businesses operating within the zinc oxide value chain.

This persistent price instability hampers strategic planning and investment decisions within the zinc oxide industry. For instance, according to the International Lead and Zinc Study Group, prices for zinc were up 5% in 2024. Such sudden increases in raw material costs directly compress profit margins for manufacturers or necessitate price adjustments, which can deter buyers and slow market uptake. This unpredictability in expenditure limits capacity expansion, research and development into new applications, and ultimately restricts the sustained growth of the global zinc oxide market.

Key Market Trends

The global zinc oxide market is significantly influenced by the growing demand for sustainable production and eco-friendly products. This trend drives manufacturers to adopt greener processes, reduce environmental impact, and develop materials aligning with ecological standards. Industries are increasingly focusing on circularity and minimizing carbon emissions across the supply chain, responding to both regulatory pressures and consumer preferences for responsibly sourced components. According to the International Zinc Association's 2024 Annual Report, an additional seven Zinc Marks were earned in 2024, underscoring the industry's commitment to verifiable responsible production standards and enhancing the sustainability profile of zinc-based products.

Another pivotal trend is the expanding integration of zinc oxide into advanced electronics and energy storage applications. Its semiconductor properties, including a wide bandgap and high electron mobility, make it crucial for next-generation devices like transparent conductive films and piezoelectric sensors. In the energy sector, zinc oxide is emerging as a vital material for innovative battery technologies, offering enhanced safety and performance for various grid-scale and portable solutions. According to Energy-Storage. News, in March 2025, Eos Energy Enterprises, a manufacturer of zinc hybrid cathode batteries, projected its 2025 revenues to reach between US$150 million and US$190 million, a substantial tenfold increase from the prior year. This growth highlights the increasing commercial viability and market penetration of zinc oxide-based energy storage systems.

Segmental Insights

The powder segment is a primary growth driver within the Global Zinc Oxide Market, exhibiting rapid expansion due to its indispensable and multifaceted properties across critical industrial applications. This accelerated growth is primarily attributed to the powder form's vital role as a vulcanization activator in the rubber and tire industry, significantly enhancing product durability and performance. Furthermore, its excellent UV-blocking, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory characteristics make it a crucial ingredient in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations, including sunscreens, where regulatory shifts favor mineral-based UV filters. The versatility and ongoing innovations, particularly in nano-scale applications, further solidify the powder segment's leading position.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific stands as the leading region in the Global Zinc Oxide Market, primarily driven by its robust industrial expansion and burgeoning end-use sectors. The region's significant automotive industry, particularly its prominent tire manufacturing hubs in countries like China and India, fuels substantial demand for zinc oxide in rubber vulcanization to enhance durability. Furthermore, rapid urbanization and infrastructure development across Asia Pacific boost consumption in construction materials, paints, and coatings. The flourishing cosmetics and personal care sector, coupled with a growing pharmaceutical industry in nations like India, further contributes to this dominance due to the extensive use of zinc oxide in sunscreens and various medical formulations.

Recent Developments

• In September 2025, U.S. Zinc announced a significant investment of $120 million for the expansion of its manufacturing facility located in Tennessee. This strategic expansion is intended to substantially increase the company's output of zinc oxide. The augmented production capacity will primarily serve the growing demands from the rubber and tire manufacturing sectors, highlighting zinc oxide's critical role in these industrial applications and supporting the continued growth of the global zinc oxide market.

• In August 2025, Mitsui Chemicals announced a collaboration with Shiseido, a prominent cosmetics company, to develop advanced zinc oxide formulations. This partnership focuses on enhancing UV protection in skincare products. The initiative aims to leverage innovative technologies to create next-generation formulations that offer superior sun defense while potentially addressing consumer preferences for improved texture and transparency, further advancing the application of zinc oxide in high-performance personal care solutions.

• In May 2024, EIT InnoEnergy announced an investment in Catalyco, aiming to enhance the sustainable production of zinc oxide. This initiative is designed to improve the extraction of zinc oxide from industrial waste streams. The investment underscores a commitment to developing more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes within the global zinc oxide market, fostering circular economy principles by utilizing waste as a resource. This move contributes to reducing the environmental footprint associated with traditional zinc oxide production.

• In April 2024, Uviva Technologies introduced its new natural zinc oxide product, Eclipse Z1-ZST, at the New York Supply Day Trade Show. This advanced formulation was specifically designed for sun care and cosmetic applications, integrating a proprietary blend of zinc oxide and zinc stearate. The product achieved a natural index value of 1 (ISO 16128) and received Cosmos v4 certification, catering to the growing demand for natural and sustainable ingredients within the personal care industry, and reinforcing the role of zinc oxide in such formulations.

Key Market Players

• Akrochem Corporation
• EverZinc GroupSA
• Hakusui Tech Co Ltd
• Hindustan Zinc Limited
• Silox SA
• Weifang Longda Zinc Industry Co. Ltd
• Zinc Industrias Nacionales SA
• ZM SILESIA SA
• Zochem LLC
• Rubamin Pvt Ltd

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Zinc Oxide Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Zinc Oxide Market, By Form:

o   Powder

o   Pellets

• Zinc Oxide Market, By End User:

o   Automotive

o   Construction

o   Paints & Coatings

o   Pharmaceutical

o   Agriculture

o   Others

• Zinc Oxide Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies presents in the Global Zinc Oxide Market.

Available Customizations:

Global Zinc Oxide Market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

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

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