Table of Contents
Overview
New York, NY – October 23, 2025 – The Global Ulexite Market is projected to reach USD 502.3 million by 2034, growing from USD 311.3 million in 2024 at a 4.9% CAGR (2025–2034).
Ulexite, a hydrated sodium-calcium borate mineral, serves as a key boron source for glass, ceramics, agriculture, and specialty chemicals. Its unique optical fibers also find use in niche optical materials. Growth is primarily driven by rising boron-based applications in glass and ceramics, where borates enhance thermal strength, and in agriculture, as boron fertilizers improve soil health and crop productivity. Expanding construction, electronics, and renewable energy industries are further boosting demand for high-performance borate materials.
Opportunities lie in producing low-impurity, high-grade ulexite for optical and specialty uses, and in strengthening downstream boron processing for added value. Global funding is supporting these trends—Alpen’s $18 million investment in thin-glass IGU production, O-I’s $3 million to expand cullet use, the Philippine ₱8 billion crop insurance initiative, Michigan’s $2 million sustainability research grant, and the USDA’s $18 million Farm to School program all enhance innovation and agricultural resilience. Together, these efforts stimulate demand for boron-rich minerals like ulexite in both industrial and agricultural sectors.
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Key Takeaways
- The Global Ulexite Market is expected to be worth around USD 502.3 million by 2034, up from USD 311.3 million in 2024, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2025 to 2034.
- In 2024, White Ulexite dominated the Ulexite Market, capturing around 67.9% share.
- In 2024, the Agriculture segment led the Ulexite Market, accounting for about 43.8% share.
- The Asia-Pacific market value reached approximately USD 136.6 million, reflecting strong agricultural and industrial demand.
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Report Scope
| Report Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Market Value (2024) | USD 311.3 Million |
| Forecast Revenue (2034) | USD 502.3 Million |
| CAGR (2025-2034) | 4.9% |
| Segments Covered | By Type (White, Transparent), By Application (Agriculture, Glass and Fiberglass, Oilfield, Ceramics, Pulp and Paper, Others) |
| Competitive Landscape | ETI MADEN, American Borate Company, Minera Santa Rita, Quiborax, BISLEY, Others |
Key Market Segments
By Type Analysis
In 2024, the White type dominated the By Type segment of the Ulexite Market, holding a 67.9% share. This leadership stemmed from its high purity, superior boron concentration, and broad industrial and agricultural utility. The white variant is the top choice in glass and ceramic production, valued for its low impurity levels and uniform composition, which enhance clarity, strength, and durability in final products.
Its importance extends to fertilizers and chemical formulations, where consistent quality supports micronutrient enrichment in soils. Strong global supply availability and its versatile use across glass, ceramics, and agriculture sectors further reinforced its market dominance in 2024, making white ulexite the preferred grade for both industrial processing and agronomic applications.
By Application Analysis
In 2024, the Agriculture segment dominated the By Application category of the Ulexite Market, securing a 43.8% share. This strong position reflects the growing reliance on ulexite as a natural boron source, essential for maintaining soil fertility and crop health. Its slow-release characteristic ensures a consistent boron supply, making it particularly effective for boron-deficient soils.
Farmers and fertilizer manufacturers increasingly favor ulexite for its ability to enhance crop yield and quality sustainably. The global push toward eco-friendly and balanced nutrient management practices has further driven adoption, reinforcing agriculture’s leading share in 2024. This dominance underscores ulexite’s pivotal role in advancing sustainable farming and micronutrient-enriched soil management worldwide.
Regional Analysis
In 2024, Asia-Pacific led the Ulexite Market with a 43.9% share, valued at approximately USD 136.6 million. This dominance is driven by the region’s expanding agricultural sector, increasing demand for boron-based fertilizers, and rapid industrialization in key economies such as China, India, and Indonesia.
Ulexite’s importance as a primary boron source supports soil micronutrient enhancement, crucial for sustaining high-yield crop production across the Asia-Pacific. North America recorded steady growth through advancements in boron compound technologies, while Europe emphasized sustainable material use under stringent environmental policies.
Additionally, the Middle East & Africa and Latin America are gradually increasing the adoption of boron-enriched fertilizers to improve crop productivity and exploring new opportunities in borate mining and exports, contributing to the global ulexite market’s diversified expansion.
Top Use Cases
- Fertilizer-Micronutrient Source: Ulexite serves as a natural boron-rich mineral for agriculture. Because it dissolves slowly in soil, it gives plants a steady supply of boron over time. That helps correct boron deficiency without dumping all the nutrients at once.
- Glass & Ceramics Flux Agent: In making glass and ceramics, ulexite is used to supply boron oxide,e which lowers the melting point and improves clarity or strength. This helps create better glazes, borosilicate glass, and specialty ceramics.
- Source of Boron for Chemicals: Ulexite is mined as an ore because it supplies boron, which can then be turned into various compounds used in detergents, bleaches, and other specialty chemicals.
- Insulation & Heat-Resistant Materials: Thanks to the boron content derived from ulexite, it supports the production of materials like heat-resistant glass and glass fibre insulation. Its borate content helps manage thermal shock and durability.
- Educational & Optical Display Mineral: Because of its natural fibrous structure, ulexite can act like a “TV-stone”—it transmits an image from one surface to the other. This makes it useful for education, displays, or novelty uses, showing fiber-optic-like behavior.
- Slow-Release Boron for Sustainable Farming: In sustainable farming systems, ulexite provides boron slowly rather than all at once, reducing the risk of boron leaching or toxicity. That makes it a good choice where balanced nutrient management is important.
Recent Developments
- In September 2025, the Eti Maden “Kırka Boron Works” complex (located in Eskişehir) was reported to be active across mining, chemistry, metallurgy, and logistics, reinforcing its fully integrated boron operations—including downstream processing of minerals like ulexite.
Conclusion
The Ulexite market continues to evolve as industries recognize its versatility and natural boron content. Its role in glass, ceramics, and agriculture highlights its importance across both industrial and environmental applications. Growing awareness of sustainable farming and advanced material innovation supports steady demand. Companies are focusing on improving purity and developing efficient extraction methods to enhance product quality.
Additionally, expanding downstream processing and integration with boron-based chemical production strengthens its industrial value chain. With its balance of agricultural benefits and technological potential, ulexite remains an essential mineral supporting progress in modern manufacturing and sustainable agricultural development worldwide.
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