Metal Chelates Market Size, Analysis Report | CAGR of 3.6%

Overview

New York, NY – Oct 31, 2025 – The global metal chelates market is projected to reach USD 1,522.9 million by 2034, up from USD 631.6 million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2025 to 2034. In 2024, North America led the market, holding a 39.6% share valued at USD 249.8 million. Metal chelates—such as Fe-EDDHA, Fe-EDTA, Zn-EDTA, and DTPA salts—play a crucial role in maintaining metal solubility and bioavailability under challenging pH and water hardness conditions. They are widely used in fertilizers for efficient micronutrient delivery, water treatment for binding hardness ions, and pharmaceuticals for stabilizing active ingredients.

Regulatory focus on nutrient efficiency and environmental safety is reshaping product design. The EU Fertilising Products Regulation (EU) 2019/1009 mandates labeling of each micronutrient’s chelation percentage, ensuring transparency and comparability across markets. Complementing this, CEN/TC 260 standards define analytical methods capable of quantifying metals down to 0.07% Fe, 0.006% Mn, and 0.035% Zn by mass, strengthening quality control in organo-mineral fertilizers. Safety data from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) report a fish early-life NOEC for H₄-EDTA between 20 and 25.7 mg/L, while Australia’s chemical regulator estimated a total introduction volume below 3,000 tons per year for EDTA salts, guiding environmental assessments.

Water policy also contributes to market expansion. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revised its Lead and Copper Rule (LCR) in 2024, tightening the lead action level from 0.015 mg/L to 0.010 mg/L and maintaining 1.3 mg/L for copper at the 90th percentile. These stricter thresholds push utilities toward enhanced corrosion control measures, often incorporating chelating agents to maintain metal stability and safety in drinking water systems. Together, regulatory clarity, analytical precision, and water-quality standards continue to drive innovation and adoption in the global metal chelates market.

Key Takeaways

• Metal Chelates Market size is expected to be worth around USD 1522.9 Million by 2034, from USD 631.6 Million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 3.6%.
• Liquid form of metal chelates held a dominant market position, capturing more than a 58.2% share of the overall market.
• Macronutrients held a dominant market position, capturing more than an 83.5% share of the global metal chelates market.
• Cereals and grains held a dominant market position, capturing more than a 43.8% share of the global metal chelates market.
• Foliar application held a dominant market position, capturing more than a 59.4% share of the global metal chelates market.
• North America held a dominant position in the global metal chelates market, capturing 39.60% of the total market share, valued at approximately USD 249.8 million.

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Report Scope

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Key Market Segments

By Form Analysis: In 2024, the liquid form of metal chelates dominated the global market with a 58.2% share. This leading position stems from the growing preference for liquid fertilizers in modern agriculture due to their high solubility and rapid nutrient absorption by plants. Liquid chelates are widely used in foliar feeding, fertigation, and soil applications, enabling farmers to deliver essential micronutrients efficiently. Their ability to mix seamlessly with other agrochemicals such as herbicides and fungicides enhances convenience and productivity. With the rise of precision farming and automated fertigation systems, the demand for liquid chelates is expected to strengthen further in the coming years.

By Product Type Analysis: The macronutrients segment dominated the metal chelates market in 2024, accounting for an 83.5% share of total revenue. Macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are critical for plant growth, contributing to photosynthesis, root development, and nutrient metabolism. Their extensive use in agriculture to enhance crop yield and soil fertility reinforces their market dominance. Owing to their cost-effectiveness and ease of application, macronutrient-based chelates continue to be the preferred choice among large-scale farming operations. With global agricultural production focusing on sustainability and productivity, the segment is expected to maintain its strong market share through the forecast period.

By Crop Type Analysis: In 2024, cereals and grains led the global metal chelates market, securing a 43.8% share. This dominance results from the high demand for chelated micronutrients in crops such as wheat, maize, and rice, which form the backbone of global food security. Chelated compounds like iron, zinc, and manganese effectively address soil deficiencies and enhance crop health, ensuring higher yields and quality. As global population growth and food demand rise, farmers increasingly adopt chelated fertilizers to optimize productivity, particularly in high-demand grain-producing regions across Asia-Pacific and North America.

By Application Analysis: The foliar application segment held the largest market share of 59.4% in 2024, driven by its superior efficiency in nutrient delivery. This method allows rapid nutrient absorption directly through plant leaves, enabling fast correction of micronutrient deficiencies, especially for iron, zinc, and manganese. Foliar feeding ensures timely nutrition during critical growth stages, improving both yield and crop quality. Its widespread use in organic and conventional farming reflects its adaptability to different agricultural systems. The integration of precision agriculture—where nutrient application is tailored to plant requirements—continues to boost demand for foliar metal chelates worldwide.

List of Segments

By Form

• Granules
• Liquid
• Powder

By Product Type

• Macronutrients
  • Primary Nutrients
  • Secondary Nutrients
• Micronutrients

By Crop Type

• Cereals and Grains
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Oilseeds and Pulses
• Others

By Application

• Foliar
• Fertigation
• Others

Regional Analysis

In 2024, North America led the global metal chelates market, accounting for a dominant 39.6% share, valued at approximately USD 249.8 million. This regional leadership is largely attributed to the widespread use of advanced agricultural technologies and the strong adoption of precision farming in countries such as the United States and Canada. Farmers across the region rely heavily on metal chelates—particularly in foliar applications and fertigation systems—to enhance crop yields, improve soil health, and maintain nutrient balance. Chelated micronutrient fertilizers play a vital role in boosting the productivity of staple crops like corn, wheat, and soybeans, which together form a significant part of North America’s agricultural output.

Supportive government initiatives have further strengthened the region’s market growth. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) continues to promote sustainable farming through programs focused on efficient nutrient management and soil conservation, aligning closely with the advantages of metal chelates. Additionally, the increasing shift toward organic farming practices and the rising consumer demand for high-quality, nutrient-rich food products have accelerated the adoption of chelated fertilizers across the region. With ongoing innovation in nutrient delivery systems and growing emphasis on sustainability, North America is expected to maintain its leading position in the metal chelates market through the coming decade.

Top Use Cases

Correcting iron chlorosis in alkaline/calcareous soils: Fe-EDDHA keeps iron soluble across ~pH 4–9, outperforming Fe-EDTA (~pH 4–6.3) and Fe-DTPA (~pH 4–7.5). Extension guidance recommends Fe-EDDHA when soil pH >7.5, enabling rapid greening and yield recovery in chlorotic vines, citrus, soybean, and other crops on calcareous soils. For mildly alkaline conditions (pH ≤7.5), Fe-DTPA is economical. These pH windows let agronomists match chelate to soil chemistry and avoid precipitation losses.

Raising grain yields and grain-Zn with chelated zinc: Foliar zinc applications consistently lift grain micronutrient density; meta-field work shows +27–37% grain-Zn in maize and +28–89% in wheat after foliar Zn. Trials using Zn-EDTA sprays report ~12.3% maize yield gains at 0.5% Zn-EDTA compared with control programs, supporting use where soils or high-phytate diets demand more Zn.

Efficient fertigation and foliar feeding programs: Liquid chelates (Fe-EDDHA/DTPA/EDTA) are compatible with fertigation and foliar delivery, keeping metals soluble in hard/alkaline water and enabling rapid deficiency correction. Agronomic reviews note Fe-EDDHA’s stability up to ~pH 9, which reduces line fouling and improves uniformity versus non-chelated salts. This improves nutrient-use efficiency when paired with drip or micro-sprinklers.

Food fortification where inhibitors reduce iron absorption: NaFeEDTA is recommended for fortifying high-phytate foods (e.g., wheat flour, soy/fish sauces) because of higher iron bioavailability than many salts under inhibitory diets. WHO/JECFA has an acceptable daily intake guidance of 0.2 mg Fe/kg body weight/day from NaFeEDTA, supporting safe, population-scale fortification planning.

Animal nutrition: chelated trace minerals for performance: In feeds, chelated forms (e.g., Zn-, Cu-, Mn-chelates) improve stability and uptake compared with inorganic salts, helping maintain hoof integrity, immunity and reproduction under antagonists (e.g., high Ca/Fe). Field studies and reviews consistently report better mineral status and productivity when chelates replace a portion of oxides/sulfates—especially under stress or antagonism.

Water treatment: sequestering metals under tighter standards: Chelants help sequester Fe/Mn/other ions in specialty treatment trains and industrial systems to prevent scaling/discoloration. In 2024, the U.S. EPA finalized Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, reducing the lead action level from 15 to 10 µg/L. Stricter thresholds are prompting utilities to optimize corrosion control and, where appropriate, deploy complexation strategies alongside orthophosphate to manage metal release at the tap.

Recent Developments

Innospec Inc.: In 2024, Innospec’s agrochemical division supplied chelating and sequestering agents to crop-nutrition and protection formulators, underscoring its role in the metal-chelates value chain. The company’s “Agrochemicals” business includes chelating agents used in tank-mix adjuvants and plant-nutrition blends. Although revenue specific to chelates isn’t separated, Innospec’s sustainability report lists USD 1.44 billion in total annual sales for the fiscal year ended 2024.

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation: In 2023–2024, Mitsubishi Chemical developed and marketed the DIAION™ CR series of chelating resins, including CR11 and CR20, targeting industrial water-treatment and metal-ion capture applications rather than direct micronutrient fertilizers. Their focus in chelating technology supports metal chelate utility beyond agriculture into purification and separation markets.

Protex International: In the metal-chelates sector, Protex International offers a range of EDDHSA and EDTA chelates designed for agriculture, including products such as “SYNTHRON® EDDHSA Fe 3% K LIQUID” for alkaline soils. While full year-by-year financials specific to chelates aren’t publicly broken out, their 2024 product list emphasises liquid chelates suited to sustainable farming practices.

Haifa Negev Technologies Ltd: Although precise annual chelate-segment figures are not publicly broken out, Haifa continues to promote its “Haifa Micro™” chelated micronutrient line, which includes Fe-EDDHA, Fe-EDTA and Fe-DTPA grades stable across pH 3.5–12. In June 2024 the company secured regulatory approval for a novel nano-formulation of chelated iron, signalling renewed R&D push.

Ava Chemicals Private Limited: Based in Mumbai and ISO 9001:2015 certified, Ava has over three decades of experience manufacturing chelating/sequestering agents including EDTA, DTPA, NTA and Fe-EDDHA, serving agrochemical and water treatment markets. While revenue by year is not publicly detailed, the scale of over 200 fine-chemicals and exports to ~40 countries underscore its regional leadership.

Shandong IRO Chelating Chemical Co., Ltd.: IRO Chelating, certified ISO 9001:2000, manufactures a full range of chelating/sequestering agents (e.g., EDTA series) and reports an annual production capacity of approximately 45,000 metric tons as of its latest available disclosure. The company’s manufacturing scale positions it as a regional supplier of metal-chelates across water-treatment, industrial and agricultural markets, especially within Asia-Pacific.

BASF SE: In 2023, BASF expanded its crop-nutrition portfolio by promoting its “Librel” chelated micronutrient products—such as Librel® TMX2, a multi-micronutrient mixture of Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Mo and B—based on high-stability Trilon® chelating agents for better plant uptake. The firm’s emphasis on chelated formulations highlights its push into efficient nutrient delivery and premium solution segments. It also ranks among the leading players in agricultural micronutrients globally, helping address soil deficiency issues.

Yara International ASA: In 2024, Yara reported reaching 24 million digitised hectares under its digital farming tools and produced 21.2 million t of finished fertilisers. The company’s YaraTera™ brand extends into water-soluble fertilisers including chelated micronutrients (iron, manganese, copper, zinc) for foliar, soil and fertigation uses. These chelated offerings strengthen Yara’s crop-nutrition portfolio by enabling improved micronutrient uptake and expansion in high-value segments.

Nouryon: Nouryon is recognised as a leading manufacturer of chelated micronutrients, with product lines such as Dissolvine® covering iron, zinc and other metals for crop-nutrition applications. Their fully-chelated, water-soluble forms support agriculture, foliar feeding and fertigation systems while aligning with sustainability goals.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the global metal chelates market is steadily gaining importance, driven by increasing demand for efficient micronutrient delivery in agriculture as well as industrial and water-treatment applications. Key catalysts include the shift toward precision farming, rising awareness of soil nutrient deficiencies, and stricter water/metal regulations. At the same time, challenges such as higher cost of chelates versus simple salts and varying regulatory regimes remain. Overall, parties positioned in both production and application stand to benefit from this growth trajectory, provided they focus on innovation, cost-efficiency, and compliance.

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