Profile on Barium sulphate

SECTION I PRODUCT ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................ 2

1.1.

General details ......................................................................................................................... 2

1.2.

Specifications ........................................................................................................................... 2

1.3.

Product application .................................................................................................................. 3

SECTION II INDIAN TRADE ANALYSIS ........................................................................................................ 5

2.1.

Import...................................................................................................................................... 5

1.2.

Export ...................................................................................................................................... 7

SECTION III SUPPLY ANALYSIS .................................................................................................................. 8

3.1.

Indian Producers ...................................................................................................................... 8

3.2.

Indian production..................................................................................................................... 8

SECTION IV INDIAN DEMAND SCENARIO .................................................................................................. 9

4.1.

Consumption norm .................................................................................................................. 9

4.2.

Indian demand for Barium sulphate Period 2014 ................................................................... 9

4.3.

Demand pattern....................................................................................................................... 9

4.4.

Sample of Importers............................................................................................................... 10

SECTION V GLOBAL SCENARIO ............................................................................................................... 11

5.1.

Global demand....................................................................................................................... 11

5.2.

Global demand pattern .......................................................................................................... 11

Profile on Barium sulphate

SECTION I
PRODUCT ANALYSIS
1.1.

General details

Appearance

white crystalline solid that is odorless and insoluble in water

It occurs as the mineral barite, which is the main commercial source of barium and materials prepared from
it. The white opaque appearance and its high density are exploited in its main applications

Barites is a material with environmental protecting function, it has a lot of advantages, such as a strong
inertia, good stability, acid and alkali proof, moderate rigidity, high specific gravity, high whiteness,
absorb in harmful radial.

1.2.

Specifications

Barytes powder Chemical grade

BaSO4: 96%min
SrSO4: 0.7%max
CaSO4: 0.6%max
SiO2: 3.5%max
White rate: 88%min.
Powder Size: 325 mesh
Barytes Lumps Chemical grade
BaSO4 96%min
SrSO4 0.7%max
CaSO4 0.6%max
SiO2 3.5%max
White rate: 80% min.
Oil Drilling Grade Barite Crude (Standard Grade)
Specific Gravity: 4.23 minimum
Calcium: 250 ppm maximum
Mercury (Hg): 1.0 ppm maximum
Cadmium (Cd): 3.0 ppm maximum
Carbonates: 2500 mg/l maximum
Sulfides: 50 mg/l maximum
Moisture: 1.0% maximum
Lump Size (0-150mm): 95% minimum

Profile on Barium sulphate

1.3.

Product application

Drilling fluids
Major application of barium sulphate worldwise is as a component of oil well drilling fluid.
It increases the density of the fluid.
Pigment
Used as a component of white pigment for paints.
In oil paint, barium sulfate is almost transparent, and is used as a filler or to modify consistency.
Oil paint named "permanent white" contains a mixture of titanium white pigment (TiO2) and barium
sulfate.
The combination of barium sulfate and zinc sulfide (ZnS) is the inorganic pigment called lithopone. In
photography it is used as a coating for certain photographic papers.
Paper brightener
A thin layer of barium sulfate called baryta is first coated on the base surface of most photographic
paper to increase the reflectiveness of the image.
The light-sensitive silver halide emulsion is then coated over the baryta layer. The baryta coating limits
the penetration of the emulsion into the fibers of the paper and makes the emulsion more even,
resulting in more uniform blacks.
Plastics
In polypropylene and polystyrene plastics, it is used as a filler in proportions up to 70%. It has an effect
of increasing acid and alkali resistance and opacity.
Rubber
In rubber industry, the products less than 500 mesh can be used as the filling of rubber products to save
cost. It can improve the intensity, and acid, alkali, and water proof, and also has benefit for the Natural
Rubber and Synthetic Rubber.
Radiocontrast agent
Barium sulfate in suspension is frequently used clinically as a radiocontrast agent for X-ray imaging and
other diagnostic procedures. It is most often used in imaging of the GI tract during what is colloquially
known as a 'barium meal'. It is administered orally, or by enema, as a suspension of fine particles in a
thick milklike solution (often with sweetening and flavoring agents added).

Profile on Barium sulphate

Catalyst support
Barium sulfate is used as a catalyst support when selectively hydrogenating functional groups that are
sensitive tooverreduction. With a low surface area, the contact time of the substrate with the catalyst is
shorter and thus selectivity is achieved. Palladium on barium sulfate is also used as a catalyst in the
Rosenmund reduction.
Pyrotechnics
As barium compounds emit a green light when burned, barium salts are often used in green pyrotechnic
formulas, but the nitrate and chlorate salts are more common. Barium sulfate is commonly used as a
component of "strobe" pyrotechnic compositions.
Copper industry
As barium sulfate has high burning point and is insoluble in water, it is used as a coating material in
casting of copper anode plates. The anode plates are cast in copper molds, so to avoid the contact of the
liquid copper and the solid copper mold, a solution of barium sulfate in water is used as a coating
material on the mold surface. Thus when the liquid copper solidifies in form of an anode plate it can be
easily released from its mold.
Cosmetics Industry
In cosmetics, it can be a substitute of titanium dioxide, for its white and gentle, and harmless to the skin.
Pharmaceutical Industry
In medicine, it can be used as barium meal material for the intestines and stomach reflection, and also
the filling for plaster and dope to extend the time limit.
Niche uses
Barium sulfate is also used during the procedure of the soil pH test. In this test it is used so that it
precipitates out any particles (usually clay particles) that would otherwise 'cloud' solution preventing
one from seeing the colour of the pH indicator i.e. the result of the test.
It is also used in Episal salt, brake linings, anacoustic foams, powder coatings, and root canal filling.
In colorimetry barium sulfate is used as a near-perfect diffuser when measuring light sources.
In metal casting, the moulds used are often coated with barium sulfate in order to prevent the molten
metal from bonding with the mould.

Profile on Barium sulphate

SECTION II
INDIAN TRADE ANALYSIS
2.1.

Import

Annual import
In tones
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Import in Tonnes

Apr 11-Mar 12

Apr 12-Mar 13

Apr 13-Mar 14

9426

12288

12910

Import quantity during the period April to October 2014

Source

9891 tonnes

Government of India , Department of Commerce , Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Profile on Barium sulphate

Countrywise import Period April 2013 to March 2014

FRANCE 1%
UNITED STATES
OF 2%

IRAN 1%

UNITED
KINGDOM 4%
THAILAND 2%
ITALY 5%
JAPAN 7%

GERMANY 13%
CHINA 65%

Portwise import Period April 2013 to March 2014

MUNDRA 1%
LUDHIANA 1%

DELHI AIR 2%
CALCUTTA 2%
GOA SEA 5%
FARIDABA 6%

NHAVA 53%
CHENNAI 14%

DELHI ICD
16%

Profile on Barium sulphate

1.2.

Export

700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
Apr 11-Mar 12

Apr 12-Mar 13

Import quantity during the period April to October 2014

Apr -13-Mar 14

259 tonnes

Source Government of India Ministry of Commerce and Industry Department of Commerce

Profile on Barium sulphate

SECTION III
SUPPLY ANALYSIS
3.1.

Indian Producers

Indian producers of barium sulphate include the following

Company Name

3.2.

Location

Rayalaseema Chemicals,

Cuddapah

Sri Annapurna Chemical Industries

Hyderabad

Sree Rayalaseema Alkalies & Allied Chemicals Ltd

Kurnool

Kalpana Chemicals

Ahmedabad

Parekh Platinum Ltd.

Ahmedabad

Famous Minerals And Chemicals Pvt Ltd

Mumbai

Kalpana Minerals Pvt. Ltd

Mumbai

Parekh Platinum Ltd.,

Mumbai

Chemfab Alkalis Ltd

Pondy

Indian production

Andhra Pradesh accounts for more than 95% of barite production in India.
Indian production of barium sulphate / barytes Period 2014

1.8 million tonnes

Profile on Barium sulphate

SECTION IV
INDIAN DEMAND SCENARIO
4.1.

Consumption norm

End product
Pigment SU Blue
Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device Copper T 380 A
Opaque White Polyester Chip
4.2.

Indian demand for Barium sulphate Period 2014

Indian demand for barium sulphate / Baryte

4.3.

Consumption in kg
per kg of finished
product
0.404
0.049
0.185

1.82 million tonnes

Demand pattern
Glass, rubber,
paper, paint etc
5%

Chemical 18%

Oil well drilling 77%

Profile on Barium sulphate

4.4.

Sample of Importers
20 MICRONS LTD.
ASK AUTOMOTIVE PVT LTD
AVON BEAUTY PRODUCTS INDIA PVT LTD
BANKIM PLAST PVT.LTD.
ESDEE PAINTS LTD.
GARDEN SILK MILLS LIMITED
ICI INDIA LIMITED
JINDAL POLY FILMS LTD.
K. T. QUALITY CONTROL PVT. LTD.
KANSAI NEROLAC PAINTS LTD.
MICAS ORGANICS LIMITED
NISHIGANDHA POLYMERS PRIVATE LIMITED
RANE BRAKE LINING LIMITED
RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LTD.
SIENA CHEMICAL PVT. LTD.
SUDARSHAN CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES LTD
TATA AUTO COMP GY BATTERIES PRIVATE LIMITED
TITAN PAINTS & CHEMICALS LTD,
VARROC EXHAUST SYSTEMS PVT.LTD.
VIPRAJ THERMOSETS PVT LTD
ZOCHEM INDUSTRIES

10

Profile on Barium sulphate

SECTION V
GLOBAL SCENARIO
5.1.

Global demand

Global demand for Barium sulphate - Period 2014

5.2.

9 million tonnes

Global demand pattern

Others 15%

Drilling fluid 85%

Drilling fluids consume some 85% of the world's total barytes consumption, making them easily the
largest market. The price of drilling grade barytes depends primarily on demand from the oil and gas
exploration industry and on the price of oil.
The USA is easily the largest barytes consumer, accounting for around 40% of world demand, most of
which is imported.
China is the other major barytes consumer, accounting for 14% of world demand, although in this case
demand is met from domestic production.
Oil and natural gas constitute around 62%, which will increase demand for drilling grade barytes in
exploration and development.

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