Iodine
halogen · Group 17 · Period 5
Atomic properties
Market data
Raw material sources & pricing
| Raw Material Form | Iodine Content | Extraction Cost | Major Sources | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caliche Ore | 400-1,000 ppm I₂ | $8-12/kg I₂ | Chile (Atacama Desert) | Co-product with sodium nitrate production |
| Underground Brines | 30-1,560 ppm I₂ | $15-25/kg I₂ | Japan, USA (Oklahoma) | Associated with natural gas/oil fields |
| Seawater | 0.05-0.06 ppm I₂ | Not economical | Global oceans | Too dilute for commercial extraction |
| Recycled Iodine | Various | $20-30/kg I₂ | X-ray contrast media waste | Growing source (5-8% of supply) |
Caliche Ore - Primary Raw Material (Chile)
Current Market Price: $18-25/MT ore (containing 0.04-0.1% I₂) Major Global Reserves: Chile: 2.5 million MT iodine (65% of world reserves) - Associated with nitrate deposits Japan: 5 million MT iodine - In underground brines USA: 250,000 MT iodine - Oklahoma/Texas brines Russia/Azerbaijan: 170,000 MT iodine - Subsurface brines 2025 Production Leaders: Chile: 19,000 MT (63% of global production) Japan: 9,000 MT (30% of global production) USA: ~1,100 MT (data proprietary) Russia/Azerbaijan: 800 MT combined Raw Material Form Iodine Content Extraction Cost Major Sources Notes Caliche Ore 400-1,000 ppm I₂ $8-12/kg I₂ Chile (Atacama Desert) Co-product with sodium nitrate production Underground Brines 30-1,560 ppm I₂ $15-25/kg I₂ Japan, USA (Oklahoma) Associated with natural gas/oil fields Seawate
⚠️ Seawater Iodine Extraction
Commercial Viability: ECONOMICALLY VIABLE (Unlike Aluminum) Concentration: 0.05-0.06 ppm (very low but concentrated by seaweed) Chemical Form: I⁻ (iodide) and IO₃⁻ (iodate) ions Status: Historically important source via seaweed harvesting. Japan still extracts some iodine from seaweed, but underground brines are more economical. Seaweed can concentrate iodine up to 30,000x seawater levels. Note: Direct seawater extraction is uneconomical, but biological concentration in seaweed makes it viable in some regions.
Production cost analysis
| Cost Component | $/kg Iodine | % of Total Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw Material (Ore/Brine) | $8-25 | 20-35% | Varies by source type |
| Energy (Process Heat + Electricity) | $5-10 | 12-18% | Much lower than aluminum |
| Chemicals (Cl₂, SO₂, NaOH) | $8-15 | 20-25% | For oxidation/reduction |
| Labor | $3-8 | 8-12% | Varies by country |
| Equipment & Maintenance | $5-12 | 12-20% | Corrosion-resistant materials needed |
| Total Production Cost | $35-55 | 100% | Compare to selling price: $60-65/kg |
Commercial forms & specifications
| Product Form | Chemical Formula | Molecular Weight | Typical Purity | Price Range (USD/kg) | Main Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elemental Iodine (Prilled) | I₂ | 253.81 g/mol | 99.5-99.9% | $60-65 | Pharmaceuticals, catalysts |
| Elemental Iodine (USP Grade) | I₂ | 253.81 g/mol | 99.8% min | $65-75 | Medical, pharmaceutical |
| Potassium Iodide | KI | 166.00 g/mol | 99.0-99.9% | $35-45 | Nutrition, pharmaceuticals |
| Sodium Iodide | NaI | 149.89 g/mol | 99.0-99.9% | $40-50 | Medicine, photography |
| Povidone-Iodine | (C₆H₉NO)ₙ·xI₂ | Variable | 9-12% available I₂ | $25-35 | Antiseptics, disinfectants |
| Calcium Iodate | Ca(IO₃)₂ | 389.88 g/mol | 98-99% | $30-40 | Animal feed additive |
| Ethylenediamine Dihydroiodide | C₂H₈N₂·2HI | 315.92 g/mol | 79-81% I | $45-55 | Animal feed supplement |
| Iodoform | CHI₃ | 393.73 g/mol | 99% | $180-220 | Antiseptic, chemical synthesis |
| Hydroiodic Acid | HI (57% aq) | 127.91 g/mol | 55-57% HI | $80-120 | Chemical synthesis |
| Iodine Pentoxide | I₂O₅ | 333.81 g/mol | 99.5% | $200-300 | Analytical reagent |
| Iodine Monochloride | ICl | 162.36 g/mol | 98% | $150-200 | Catalyst, iodination agent |
| Periodic Acid | HIO₄ | 190.91 g/mol | 99% | $300-500 | Oxidizing agent, analysis |
Suppliers by country
🇨🇱 Chile
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera) | Prilled iodine, crude iodine, iodine derivatives | World's largest producer, integrated with nitrate production |
| Cosayach | Crude iodine, prilled iodine, potassium iodate | Second-largest Chilean producer, caliche ore specialist |
| Algorta Norte | Crude iodine, prilled iodine | Focus on high-purity products |
| ACF Minera | Crude iodine, iodine prills | Smaller producer, export focus |
🇯🇵 Japan
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| ISE Chemicals Corporation | High-purity iodine, iodine compounds, recycled iodine | Natural gas brine extraction, recycling technology |
| GODO SHIGEN Co. Ltd | Crude iodine, iodine derivatives | Integrated brine processing |
| Kanto Natural Gas Development | Crude iodine from brine | Combined natural gas and iodine production |
| Toho Earthtech | Iodine and iodine compounds | Brine extraction specialist |
🇺🇸 United States
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Iofina PLC | Crystalline iodine, iodine derivatives | Brine extraction from oil/gas fields, 6 plants in Oklahoma |
| Deepwater Chemicals (Toyota Tsusho) | Iodine derivatives, organic/inorganic compounds | cGMP certified, pharmaceutical grade |
| Iochem Corporation | High-purity iodine, specialty derivatives | Technical and pharmaceutical grades |
🇮🇳 India
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Calibre Chemicals | Iodine, potassium iodide, sodium iodide | Pharmaceutical grade products |
| Eskay Iodine | Iodine derivatives, povidone-iodine | Medical and pharmaceutical applications |
| Salvi Chemical Industries | Iodine compounds, derivatives | Export-oriented production |
| Samrat Pharmachem | Pharmaceutical grade iodine compounds | API manufacturing |
🇷🇺 Russia / 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| Neftchala Iodine Plant | Crude iodine from oil field brines | Azerbaijan's main producer |
| Russian Iodine producers | Technical grade iodine | Small-scale brine extraction |
🇧🇪 Belgium / 🇪🇺 Europe
| Company | Product Forms | Specialties |
|---|---|---|
| European distributors | Re-export of Chilean/Japanese iodine | Major trading hub for Europe |
| REMONDIS SE | Recycled iodine from waste streams | Circular economy focus |
Market demand by product form
| Application | Global Demand (MT) | % of Total | Market Value | Growth Rate (CAGR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| X-ray Contrast Media | 10,900 | 26% | $700 million | 6.5% |
| Pharmaceuticals | 6,300 | 15% | $400 million | 5.8% |
| LCD Polarizing Films | 5,000 | 12% | $320 million | 4.2% |
| Animal Feed | 4,200 | 10% | $150 million | 7.1% |
| Biocides/Disinfectants | 3,800 | 9% | $180 million | 8.5% |
| Fluorochemicals | 2,900 | 7% | $170 million | 3.8% |
| Nylon Production | 2,500 | 6% | $140 million | 4.5% |
| Human Nutrition (Salt) | 2,100 | 5% | $60 million | 6.0% |
| Other Applications | 4,300 | 10% | $180 million | 5.0% |
Market trends
Price Stability: After surging 211% from 2017-2025, prices stabilizing at $60-65/kg Medical Demand: X-ray contrast media driving growth with aging populations and improved healthcare access Recycling Growth: Recovery from contrast media waste increasing, now 5-8% of supply Supply Concentration: Chile dominates with 63% of production, creating supply chain risks Biocide Surge: Post-pandemic demand for disinfectants remains elevated Technology Shifts: New extraction technologies improving yields from lower-grade sources Regulatory Push: Mandatory iodization programs expanding in developing countries Sustainability: Focus on reducing chlorine use and developing greener extraction methods
Moles per kilogram
| Product Form | Formula | MW (g/mol) | Moles/kg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elemental Iodine | I₂ | 253.81 | 3.94 |
| Potassium Iodide | KI | 166.00 | 6.02 |
| Sodium Iodide | NaI | 149.89 | 6.67 |
| Calcium Iodate | Ca(IO₃)₂ | 389.88 | 2.57 |
| Iodoform | CHI₃ | 393.73 | 2.54 |
References
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