This section provides an overview for iodine as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 20 iodine manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked iodine companies as of November, 2024: 1.Chemlock Metals Corporation, 2.American Elements, 3.KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC..
Table of Contents
Iodine, a diatomic molecule with the molecular formula I2, is a significant element in the halogen group with atomic number 53. Its CAS registration number is 7553-56-2. Essential for human health, iodine is primarily found in the thyroid gland where it plays a crucial role in hormone production.
Often referred to as the "mineral of the sea," iodine is plentiful in seaweed and seafood, including kelp and wakame.
Iodine finds extensive applications across various fields, particularly in chemistry and medicine. Key uses include:
The addition of starch to an iodine solution triggers an iodo-starch reaction, turning the solution blue-purple. This reaction is a cornerstone of iodometric titration.
Iodine is widely utilized as a disinfectant. Common formulations include iodine tincture (an alcohol solution of iodine), Lugol's solution (a glycerol solution of iodine and potassium iodide), and povidone-iodine (a complex of iodine and polyvinylpyrrolidone).
It is also a key component in contrast media for X-ray diagnostics and various gargles.
As a catalyst in industry and agriculture, iodine serves multiple purposes, including as a raw material for antifungal agents. It's also finding uses in advanced technologies such as polarizing films for LCD panels and solar cells.
Figure 1. Basic Information on Iodine
Iodine appears as blackish-purple, shiny crystals at room temperature, with a pungent odor and the capability to sublime. It has a molecular weight of 253.808, a melting point of 113.7°C, and a boiling point of 184.4°C. In liquid form, iodine is reddish-brown, and its vapor is purple. The density of iodine is 4.933 g/mL. It is soluble in ethanol and diethyl ether but has limited solubility in water (0.3 g/L).
Iodine is available primarily as reagents for research and development and as industrial chemicals.
Used in R&D for pharmaceuticals, reagent preparation, and organic synthesis, iodine is offered in quantities suited for laboratory use, such as 5g, 25g, 100g, and 500g. Due to its sublimation properties, it is typically shipped and stored under refrigeration.
For industrial applications, iodine is packaged in 20 kg and 50 kg fiber drums, facilitating easy handling in factory settings. It is intended for use in a variety of industries, including X-ray contrast media, fungicides, liquid crystals, and more.
Figure 2. Reaction of Iodine With Iodide Ions
Although iodine has limited solubility in water, it dissolves well in aqueous potassium iodide (KI) solutions, forming triiodide ions through a reaction with iodide ions.
Iodine crystals exhibit an orthorhombic structure and are non-magnetic. They have an electrical resistivity of 1.3×107Ω⋅m at 0°C and a thermal conductivity of 0.449 W/(m⋅K) at 300K. Iodine's oxidizing power is lower than that of other halogens such as fluorine, chlorine, and bromine.
Figure 3. Hazardous Properties of Iodine
Due to its toxic nature, iodine handling requires proper ventilation and protective equipment. It is classified by GHS as follows:
*Including some distributors, etc.
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American Elements was founded in 1997 in California and currently has research and production facilities in Utah, Mexico, China, and the United Kingdom. AE manufactures and distributes advanced materials from a catalog of over 30,000 products for bulk industrial use as well as small scale laboratory use. AE also provides testing and analyses services including spectroscopy along with structural, thermal, and electrical analyses. AE holds sustainable development as a core corporate value and is committed to work to protect the health of the environment.
Chemlock Metals Corporation, established in 2010 and situated in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a manufacturer of cobalt sulfate monohydrate, cobalt sulfate 8% solution, and selenium blends. The company was formed by former executives and chemists with extensive experience in two of the largest cobalt, copper, and chromium manufacturing companies. The company's product portfolio encompasses a diverse range, including cobalt, nickel, manganese, KBR/I blends, iodine, selenium, and other specialized offerings. These materials find applications across industries like catalysts, metal finishing and plating, pigments, coatings, ceramics, and more. It is also a supplier of elite trace mineral and elemental science-based ingredients.
Deepwater Chemicals, Inc., founded in 1931 and located in Woodward, Oklahoma, is a cGMP-certified and FDA-inspected manufacturer and supplier of iodine derivatives in lab and commercial volumes. The company offers both organic and inorganic derivatives of iodine for its local and foreign clients. Organic derivatives of iodine are used for applications such as food supplementation, pharmaceuticals, sanitizers, and disinfectants. Inorganic iodine derivatives are used alongside applications such as sodium iodide and potassium iodide. The company also provides process development and custom production of special chemicals for lab or commercial non-iodine applications.
Parchem was founded in 1999 and headquartered in Rochelle, New York. Parchem is a distributor of industrial chemicals. Parchem serves nutritional, personal care, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical industries. Parchem offerings include coatings, adhesives, elastomers, industrial products, petrochemicals, oleochemicals, plastics, rubber, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, consumer products, catalysts, metallic salts, rare earths, flavors & fragrances, industrial & institutional, textiles, other food-related chemicals, dyes, finishes, chemicals for aerospace, oil gas drilling chemicals, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
Kanto Chemical Co. Inc., founded in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a reagent manufacturer with overseas affiliates in other countries, including China, France, USA, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Its product portfolio includes analytical reagents, ionic liquids, Iodine compounds, ultra-pure chemicals, and water analysis kits. The company is also developing regenerative medicine and genetics reagents and has over 50,000 products. It has several certifications, including ISO 9001, acquired in 1994, making it the first Japanese company in the reagent industry. Other certifications are ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO/IEC 17025.
Junsei Chemical Co. Ltd., established in 1948 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of chemical reagents and chemical products, including commissioned synthesis of chemical products. Some of the products it makes include Sodium chloride solution, concentrated glycerin, calcium chloride, ascorbic acid, and nitric acid. The chemical products have a wide range of applications and can be used in pathological examination, as food additives, for analysis, and in the pharmaceutical industry. All its plants, including its research institute, are ISO4001 and ISO9001 certified, while its Saitama and Ibaraki plants are equipped with buildings that comply with GMP.
SAGAR Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. was established in 1998 in Gujarat, India, as a manufacturer, exporter, and supplier of organic and inorganic compounds. The company specializes in trifluoromrthanesulfonic anhydride, trimethylsilyl triflate, calcium chloride, ammonium acetate, zinc chloride, ammonium chloride, potassium chloride, triflic acid, and zinc acetate, among others. The products are actively engaged in the business of producing a diverse range of chemicals, premium drug intermediates, fine chemicals, and specialty products. They have broad applications, such as in pharmaceuticals, chemicals, electronics, materials synthesis, catalysis, research and development, and various industrial processes.
Shilpa Chemspec International Pvt. Ltd, established in 1982, is a manufacturer and wholesale trader of specialty chemicals and intermediates. This private company is based in Mumbai, India, and serves local and global clients. They distribute, import, and export specialty chemicals, papers, and boards, laminates, and coated foils. Their self-adhesive labels are used in various industries, including food and beverage, health and personal care, car, motor oil, and tyre. The company has recently ventured into contract manufacturing of intermediates used in bulk drugs, dyes, agrochemicals, and metal surface treatment chemicals.
Proto Chemicals Industries, since 1983, has operated as a manufacturer, exporter, and importer of iodine chemicals, feed supplements, disinfectants, antiseptic chemicals, and active pharmaceutical ingredients based in Tarapur, India. The industrial chemical product segment includes potassium hydroxide powder, potassium bromide, potassium iodide, potassium iodide, iodine crystals, and calcium iodate. Their feed supplements include sodium selenite, potassium iodate, and calcium iodate. The ingredients used in processing the chemicals are quality-tested, and the products are used in various industries such as rubber, pharmaceutical, battery manufacturing, food, and beverage.
Samrat Pharmachem Limited is a Indian manufacturer and exporter of specialty chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). The company was established in 1992 and has grown to become a name in the global market. Samrat Pharmachem Limited's products cater to various industries, including pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and personal care products. The company's state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and stringent quality control procedures ensure the production of quality and eco-friendly products. Samrat Pharmachem Limited's to sustainability and customer satisfaction has earned it a reputation as a reliable and ethical business partner.
Fengchen Group Co., LTD is based in Qingdao, China. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of speciality chemicals for several industries around the world including natural resources, hydrogeology, drilling, geophysics, and environmental & geotechnical services. The company’s chemical product categories include APIs, amino acids, micronutrients, package materials, and enzymes. The company also offers services including specialized transportation, samples of compounds, shipping documents needed for pharmaceutical products, and international customs support.
Millipore Sigma, formerly known as Sigma-Aldrich, was created in 175 through the merger of Sigma Chemical Company and Aldrich Chemical company and today is a subsidiary of Merck. Millipore Sigma is a life science and biotechnology company serving the industry with several products and services. Some of their product categories include peptide synthesis materials, biochemicals, building blocks, catalysts, chemical biology, chemical synthesis, flavors & fragrances, formulation, lab chemicals, lab safety, APIs, and stable isotopes. Services include characterization, contract manufacturing, custom products, software, support, testing, and mRNA development & manufacturing.
Ise Chemicals Corporation, established in 1927, is based in Tokyo, Japan, as a manufacturer and supplier of specialty chemicals. The company manufactures three product categories, namely iodine, metallic compounds, and natural gas. Its manufactured iodine products are inorganic iodine compounds and iodine disinfectants. Its metallic compounds include nickel chloride, cobalt hydroxide, tricobalt tetraoxide, and cobalt chloride. Its manufactured natural gas is methane, extracted from soluble gas dissolved in brine. The company is a subsidiary of AGC Inc. and acquired ISO 9002:1994 and ISO 9001:2015 certifications. Its manufactured products are catered to pharmaceutical, chemical, and metallurgy sectors across Japan and the USA.
RX Chemicals was founded in Mumbai, India, in 2011. RX Chemicals sells chemical-based products for many sectors including automobile, agriculture, airline, medicine, and accessories. Automobile products include carwash shampoo, compressor cleaner, and interior cleaners. Agricultural products include fungicides, herbicides, and pesticides. Airline products include exterior products such as deicing fluid, as well as interior products such as solvent cleaner. The company also provides a range of services including chemical inspection, logistics, chemical usage supervision, as well as tank cleaning.
PANDORA INDUSTRIES PVT. LTD, established in 2017 and based in Delhi, India, is a supplier distributor of industrial chemicals. The company's product range includes monensin sodium, ortho phenyl phenol, acetic acid glacial, copper sulfate, and gentian violet. These products are used for applications in manufacturing and industrial facilities across the country. The company primarily serves industries such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture & poultry feed, water treatment, and cosmetics. Its services include sourcing raw materials, conducting multiple quality checks, ensuring products meet international standards, and final product dispatch.
Founded in Mumbai, India in 2006, Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2015 & GMP certified chemical manufacturing company and distributor. Otto Chemie serves customers in many industries including agriculture and food processing, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, cement, as well as educational and R&D industries. Product offerings include antibiotics, amino acids, vitamins, detergents, ionic liquids, materials science compounds, labware, oil, metal & ceramic science compounds and tools, oils, reagents, solvents.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Chemlock Metals Corporation |
14.5%
|
2 | American Elements |
13.6%
|
3 | KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC. |
9.0%
|
4 | Deepwater Chemicals, Inc. |
7.3%
|
5 | Parchem |
5.8%
|
6 | MilliporeSigma |
5.8%
|
7 | SAGAR Life Sciences Private Limited |
5.1%
|
8 | Agh Altin Shimi |
4.6%
|
9 | Junsei Chemical Co.,Ltd. |
4.1%
|
10 | Proto Chemical Industries |
3.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the iodine page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
India | 9 | 56.3% |
United States of America | 4 | 25.0% |
Japan | 3 | 18.8% |