#Phosphonate News

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Phosphonate Price | Prices | Pricing | News | Database | Chart

 Phosphonates, a class of chemical compounds primarily used in water treatment, agriculture, and cleaning applications, have seen price fluctuations in recent years due to various global factors. These compounds are critical for their ability to inhibit scale formation and corrosion, making them indispensable in industries such as water treatment, oil and gas, and even household cleaning products. The pricing of phosphonates is influenced by several key factors, including raw material availability, global demand, production costs, and geopolitical situations that impact the supply chain.

One of the primary drivers of phosphonate prices is the availability and cost of raw materials. Phosphonates are often derived from phosphorus compounds, which are subject to availability fluctuations depending on mining activities and the production of phosphoric acid. Changes in the availability of phosphorus, often driven by the mining sector and environmental regulations, can lead to significant price shifts in the production of phosphonates. Additionally, the prices of key chemical intermediates and energy costs, particularly natural gas, also affect phosphonate production costs. With energy prices being highly volatile, fluctuations in the price of natural gas and crude oil directly influence the cost of production, which in turn affects market pricing.

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Another crucial factor that determines phosphonate pricing is global demand. As industries that rely on these chemicals expand, such as water treatment and agriculture, the demand for phosphonates grows, leading to upward pressure on prices. In water treatment, phosphonates play a pivotal role in preventing scale and corrosion in pipes and boilers, which are essential for maintaining the efficiency and longevity of equipment. The global push for improved water management practices and the treatment of industrial wastewater is driving demand for phosphonates. In agriculture, the role of phosphonates as plant nutrients and in fertilizers is significant, especially as farmers and agribusinesses focus on improving crop yields and managing soil health. These factors contribute to an increase in the consumption of phosphonates, which can drive up prices, particularly when supply is constrained.

Geopolitical factors also play a significant role in influencing phosphonate prices. For instance, trade disputes, tariffs, and sanctions can lead to supply chain disruptions, resulting in shortages and price increases. In the case of phosphonates, which are often produced in large quantities in certain regions, any disruptions to global trade routes or production facilities can have a ripple effect on the entire market. China, a major producer of phosphonates and related chemicals, plays a key role in setting global prices. Any shifts in China's production capacity, whether due to environmental regulations, energy supply issues, or trade policies, can have a substantial impact on phosphonate prices worldwide.

Environmental regulations also influence the phosphonate market, as producers must comply with increasingly stringent standards on emissions and waste management. As companies invest in cleaner technologies and more sustainable production methods, production costs rise, often leading to higher prices for the end products. Additionally, regulatory restrictions on the use of certain chemicals in various regions can lead to supply shortages or the need for more expensive alternatives, further driving up prices.

Another aspect influencing phosphonate pricing is the market consolidation and competition among manufacturers. In recent years, the phosphonate industry has seen mergers and acquisitions among key players, leading to a more concentrated market. While this consolidation can lead to efficiencies in production and distribution, it can also reduce competition, which can result in higher prices for consumers. On the other hand, increased competition from emerging markets and smaller manufacturers can put downward pressure on prices, as companies strive to maintain or grow their market share.

Technological advancements and innovations in phosphonate production processes also affect pricing. As companies invest in research and development to improve the efficiency of production and reduce environmental impact, these costs are often passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices. However, in the long term, technological advancements can lead to cost savings, which may help to stabilize or even reduce prices. For example, the development of more efficient catalysts and alternative production methods has the potential to lower the overall cost of phosphonate production, which could eventually lead to more competitive pricing.

The future outlook for phosphonate prices is closely tied to trends in key industries such as water treatment, agriculture, and oil and gas. As the world continues to focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility, the demand for phosphonates in water treatment is expected to rise. This increase in demand, coupled with the need for more environmentally friendly production processes, may lead to higher prices in the short term. However, as technological innovations and increased competition from new market entrants take hold, the long-term price trajectory could stabilize or even decrease.

In conclusion, phosphonate prices are influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including raw material availability, global demand, geopolitical events, environmental regulations, and technological advancements. As industries that rely on phosphonates continue to grow, particularly in sectors like water treatment and agriculture, demand is expected to remain strong, putting upward pressure on prices. However, innovations in production processes and increased competition could help to mitigate some of these price increases in the future.

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Antiscalants Scale Inhibitors Market Overview and Future Growth Analysis 2024 - 2032

The antiscalants scale inhibitors market is crucial in various industries, particularly those involving water treatment processes. These chemicals prevent the formation of scale—solid deposits that can impede water flow and reduce the efficiency of systems such as boilers, cooling towers, and pipelines. As industries increasingly seek efficient water management solutions, the demand for effective antiscalants scale inhibitors is growing. This article explores the current landscape, benefits, challenges, and future prospects of the antiscalants scale inhibitors market.

Understanding Antiscalants and Scale Inhibitors

Antiscalants and scale inhibitors are specialized chemicals designed to prevent the precipitation of salts and minerals that can form scale deposits. These deposits can cause significant operational issues, including reduced efficiency and increased maintenance costs. By inhibiting scale formation, these chemicals enhance the performance and longevity of industrial equipment.

Types of Antiscalants and Scale Inhibitors

Phosphonates Phosphonates are widely used in various applications due to their effectiveness in controlling scale formation. They work by interfering with the crystallization process of scale-forming minerals.

Polyacrylate-based Compounds These compounds are effective in preventing the deposition of calcium carbonate and other scales. They are commonly used in water treatment applications in both industrial and municipal settings.

Carboxylate Polymers Carboxylate polymers are effective scale inhibitors, particularly in high-temperature applications. Their ability to disperse particles makes them suitable for use in cooling towers and boilers.

Benefits of Antiscalants Scale Inhibitors

The antiscalants scale inhibitors market offers several advantages that enhance operational efficiency and sustainability:

Improved Equipment Efficiency By preventing scale formation, antiscalants help maintain optimal flow rates and heat transfer efficiencies, reducing energy consumption and operational costs.

Reduced Maintenance Requirements Regular use of scale inhibitors minimizes the need for frequent cleaning and maintenance of equipment, saving time and resources for industries that rely on water-intensive processes.

Enhanced Water Quality These chemicals improve water quality by controlling scale and other contaminants, ensuring compliance with environmental regulations and enhancing overall process performance.

Current Trends in the Antiscalants Scale Inhibitors Market

Several trends are shaping the antiscalants scale inhibitors market:

Increasing Industrial Water Use As industries expand and water scarcity becomes a pressing issue, the demand for effective water treatment solutions, including antiscalants, is on the rise. Industries are seeking ways to optimize water usage while ensuring equipment longevity.

Focus on Sustainable Practices There is a growing emphasis on sustainability within the chemical industry. Companies are investing in the development of eco-friendly antiscalants that minimize environmental impact while maintaining effectiveness.

Technological Advancements Innovations in chemical formulations and application techniques are enhancing the performance of antiscalants. Advanced technologies, such as smart monitoring systems, are also being integrated into water treatment processes to optimize chemical usage.

Challenges Facing the Market

Despite its growth potential, the antiscalants scale inhibitors market faces several challenges:

Regulatory Compliance The chemical industry is subject to stringent regulations regarding the use and disposal of chemical products. Navigating these regulations can be complex and may hinder the introduction of new formulations.

Market Competition The market for water treatment chemicals is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. Companies must continuously innovate to differentiate their products and maintain a competitive edge.

Effectiveness in Diverse Conditions Antiscalants must perform effectively under a variety of operating conditions, including temperature, pH, and water composition. Developing versatile formulations that can adapt to different environments can be challenging.

Future Outlook

The antiscalants scale inhibitors market is expected to grow steadily in the coming years, driven by increasing industrial water use and the need for sustainable water management solutions. As industries continue to seek efficient ways to prevent scale formation, innovation in antiscalant formulations and application methods will be critical to meeting these demands.

Conclusion

The antiscalants scale inhibitors market is essential for ensuring the efficient operation of water-dependent industries. With the growing emphasis on sustainability and effective water management, the demand for these chemicals is set to increase. By addressing current challenges and leveraging emerging trends, stakeholders can unlock the full potential of the antiscalants scale inhibitors market, contributing to improved operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.

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Corrosion Inhibitors Market Outlook, Share, Opportunities and Forecast to 2027

The global corrosion inhibitors market was valued at USD 7.4 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% from 2020 to 2027. The market growth is largely driven by the development of biobased and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors. As sustainability becomes a priority across industries, there is a shift towards eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors, which is expected to boost market adoption among industries focused on sustainable practices. Corrosion inhibitors work by forming a protective barrier on surfaces, preventing moisture penetration and thereby reducing corrosion, a common form of material degradation. The mechanisms through which organic and inorganic corrosion inhibitors operate vary significantly.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the corrosion inhibitors market

Organic corrosion inhibitors create protection by using interfacial, anodic, cathodic, barrier, and adsorption activities, while inorganic inhibitors work through processes such as anodic and cathodic passivation, anion exchange, and saponification. Research and development in corrosion control technology have been instrumental in advancing these inhibitor products, with many manufacturers focused on innovation to enhance product performance. These R&D efforts are resulting in new products that better resist environmental stresses and perform efficiently under challenging conditions.

The rising costs associated with corrosion, combined with regulatory measures from the U.S. government regarding the toxicity of certain inhibitors, particularly in water systems, impact market dynamics. While phosphate-based corrosion inhibitors are common in the U.S., their application is restricted in some areas due to environmental concerns, particularly regarding their effects on wastewater treatment facilities and potential reactions with metals like aluminum.

End-use Segmentation Insights:

In 2019, the oil and gas sector held the largest market share at 33.1%, driven by the prevalence of internal corrosion issues in pipelines, refineries, and petrochemical plants. As these facilities often operate in high-moisture environments, corrosion inhibitors are essential for protecting infrastructure from degradation, ensuring equipment longevity, and minimizing costly downtime. The power generation sector is also a growing market for corrosion inhibitors, particularly in Asia Pacific, where rapid urbanization and industrial expansion are underway. Power plants face significant corrosion challenges, as components in steam circuits are constantly exposed to water and other corroding agents. Effective corrosion control in these plants involves monitoring pH, conductivity, and the presence of corroding ions, while also using specific corrosion inhibitors like phosphonates, phosphates, and zinc for steel, and triazoles for copper.

Additionally, the pulp and paper industry faces extreme corrosive conditions, especially in equipment like digesters, recovery boilers, bleachers, evaporators, papermaking machines, and storage tanks. These components are frequently exposed to air, water, and organic contaminants, increasing their susceptibility to corrosion. The bleaching process used to whiten pulp generates wastewater that contains chlorinated compounds, including dioxins, which can lead to pitting corrosion in high-cost equipment. As a result, the demand for corrosion inhibitors remains high in the pulp and paper industry to protect against these corrosive environments, extending equipment lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

In summary, while the market for corrosion inhibitors is broadly driven by demand across multiple sectors, the focus on developing biobased and environmentally friendly solutions is becoming increasingly prominent, aligning with industry trends toward sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Order a free sample PDF of the Corrosion Inhibitors Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

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Corrosion Inhibitors Market – Industry Analysis and Forecast

The global corrosion inhibitors market was valued at USD 7.4 billion in 2019 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% from 2020 to 2027. The market growth is largely driven by the development of biobased and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors. As sustainability becomes a priority across industries, there is a shift towards eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors, which is expected to boost market adoption among industries focused on sustainable practices. Corrosion inhibitors work by forming a protective barrier on surfaces, preventing moisture penetration and thereby reducing corrosion, a common form of material degradation. The mechanisms through which organic and inorganic corrosion inhibitors operate vary significantly.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the corrosion inhibitors market

Organic corrosion inhibitors create protection by using interfacial, anodic, cathodic, barrier, and adsorption activities, while inorganic inhibitors work through processes such as anodic and cathodic passivation, anion exchange, and saponification. Research and development in corrosion control technology have been instrumental in advancing these inhibitor products, with many manufacturers focused on innovation to enhance product performance. These R&D efforts are resulting in new products that better resist environmental stresses and perform efficiently under challenging conditions.

The rising costs associated with corrosion, combined with regulatory measures from the U.S. government regarding the toxicity of certain inhibitors, particularly in water systems, impact market dynamics. While phosphate-based corrosion inhibitors are common in the U.S., their application is restricted in some areas due to environmental concerns, particularly regarding their effects on wastewater treatment facilities and potential reactions with metals like aluminum.

End-use Segmentation Insights:

In 2019, the oil and gas sector held the largest market share at 33.1%, driven by the prevalence of internal corrosion issues in pipelines, refineries, and petrochemical plants. As these facilities often operate in high-moisture environments, corrosion inhibitors are essential for protecting infrastructure from degradation, ensuring equipment longevity, and minimizing costly downtime. The power generation sector is also a growing market for corrosion inhibitors, particularly in Asia Pacific, where rapid urbanization and industrial expansion are underway. Power plants face significant corrosion challenges, as components in steam circuits are constantly exposed to water and other corroding agents. Effective corrosion control in these plants involves monitoring pH, conductivity, and the presence of corroding ions, while also using specific corrosion inhibitors like phosphonates, phosphates, and zinc for steel, and triazoles for copper.

Additionally, the pulp and paper industry faces extreme corrosive conditions, especially in equipment like digesters, recovery boilers, bleachers, evaporators, papermaking machines, and storage tanks. These components are frequently exposed to air, water, and organic contaminants, increasing their susceptibility to corrosion. The bleaching process used to whiten pulp generates wastewater that contains chlorinated compounds, including dioxins, which can lead to pitting corrosion in high-cost equipment. As a result, the demand for corrosion inhibitors remains high in the pulp and paper industry to protect against these corrosive environments, extending equipment lifespan and reducing maintenance costs.

In summary, while the market for corrosion inhibitors is broadly driven by demand across multiple sectors, the focus on developing biobased and environmentally friendly solutions is becoming increasingly prominent, aligning with industry trends toward sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Order a free sample PDF of the Corrosion Inhibitors Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

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Water Treatment Chemicals Market Trends, Statistics, Segments, Graphs Growth Factors Forecast to 2030

Water Treatment Chemicals Industry Overview

The global water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power size was estimated at USD 8.84 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2024 to 2030.

The growth of this market can be attributed to the rise in global demand for clean and renewable energy sources. According to IRENA, the global geothermal electricity capacity was 13,196 MW in 2018 and has reached 14,846 MW in the year 2023.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Water Treatment Chemicals Market

The growth in utilization of scale control agents can be attributed to their ability to increase efficiency of power generation. Geothermal power plants are environmentally friendly, as they do not burn fuel to generate electricity and release 97% less sulfur compounds and 99% less carbon dioxide than similar-sized fossil fuel plants. Power plant water is often salty and contains impurities, hence it needs to be filtered before it goes to the heat exchanger. If left untreated, the mineral-rich brine can cause scaling issues. Water treatment chemicals can help prevent the presence of salts and metals in discharged water, which can contaminate rivers and lakes.

The water treatment chemical market for geothermal power is necessary, as geothermal water contains many scale and corrosion forming chemical components such as silica, calcium, potassium, sulfate, hydrogen sulfate, fluoride magnesium, and chloride. The plants water contains variable concentrations of gases, such as carbon dioxide and nitrogen, as well as smaller quantities of ammonia, boron, mercury, and radon. If this water is left untreated, the mineral-rich geothermal water can cause scaling issues. Geothermal water treatment chemicals are necessary to protect geothermal systems from buildup, which can cause blockages and interruptions.

Chemicals used to treat geothermal water plants include, polyphosphates, azoles, phosphonates, polymaleic acid, and polyacrylate. Geothermal power plants use naturally heated water from deep water underground to generate electricity. This has been used to produce clean and renewable energy which is used to meet the global demand for sustainable electricity production.

The manufacturers of water treatment chemicals for geothermal power products often invest in research & development activities to improve the performance of their products, introduce new formulations of these compounds in the market, and enhance their production processes. For instance, companies like Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A., the company, announced the launch of its product line, Geogard, as the latest range of innovation for geothermal applications. The use of these geogard technologies is associated with important benefits for geothermal operators.

Browse through Grand View Research's Water & Sludge Treatment Industry Research Reports.

• The global RO membrane chemicals market size was estimated at USD 2.04 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.0% from 2024 to 2030.

• The global water recycle and reuse market size was estimated at USD 16.13 billion in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 9.7% from 2024 to 2030.

Key Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Company Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A., Kurita Europe GmbH, and among others.

Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A. is a global chemical group specializing in performance additives and solutions for water treatment & solutions lubricants, oil & gas, plastics, and flame retardants. It has a wide range of products that meet the demands of consumers such as personal care. The company operates through 20 manufacturing plants, five in Asia Pacific, nine in EMEA, and six in the Americas. Furthermore, it has sales/distribution subsidiaries in Belgium, Singapore, Japan, Poland, and Brazil.

The Kurita Group, including Kurita Europe GmbH, is a major supplier of water treatment equipment, chemicals, and services. The company offers technologies and expertise to help reduce operating costs, improve plant availability, and enhance the safety of the plant and its employees. Kurita provides expert advice, customized solutions, and water & process treatment services. It has a presence in over 30 countries and encounters various working environments, business customs & trading practices.

Roemex Limited, Solenis, Ecolab and Buckman among others, are some of the emerging market participants in the market.

Solenis is one of the prominent producers and suppliers of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries. The company provides its solutions to chemical processing, industrial water, mining & mineral processing, biorefining, oil & gas, power generation, pulp, tissue & towel, packaging paper & board, specialty & wood adhesive, and printing & writing paper industries. The company also offers water solutions for various units such as boiler water, influents & effluents, boiler solutions, and recovery water. It has 69 manufacturing facilities worldwide along with operations spanning 130 countries and 6 continents.

Ecolab provides hygiene, energy, and water technologies & services worldwide. The company caters its services to various industries such as building & facility, chemical processing, commercial laundries, energy exploration & production, food & beverage processing, food service, healthcare & life sciences, hospitality & life services, pulp & paper, and power generation. The company also provides water treatment services through its subsidiary, Nalco Water. The water treatment service includes boiler water treatment, cooling water treatment, wastewater treatment, and water reuse & recycling.

Key Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Companies:

The following are the leading companies in the water treatment chemicals market for geothermal power. These companies collectively hold the largest market share and dictate industry trends

Italmach Chemicals S.p.A.

Solenis

Ecolab

Kurita Europe GmbH

Roemex Limited

Buckman

Baker Hughes

Halliburton

SLB

Recent Developments

In April 2023, Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A. announced its plans to contribute toward Kenya’s geothermal industrial development. The company is one of the 14 Italian companies working together to support Kenya’s geothermal industrial development through the United Nations Industrial Development Organization - Investment and Technology Promotion Office (UNIDO ITPO). The project aimed to help Kenya develop green energy and harness its potential in the geothermal field. The company is expected to assist in geothermal expansion and ensure scale-free and efficient geothermal operations with its geogard scale and corrosion inhibitors.

In June 2023, Baker Hughes Company made a strategic investment with Baseload Capital, a specialized investment entity that funds the deployment of geothermal heat and power. This investment lays the groundwork for funding high-potential opportunities for development and operation while simultaneously propelling next-generation geothermal technologies from the pilot stage to the commercial scale. This alliance further strengthens Baker Hughes' position in the global geothermal market for technology provision and collaboration as the company continues to expand into new frontiers in renewable energy. The collaboration with Baseload Capital demonstrates Baker Hughes' commitment to innovation and growth in the evolving energy transition landscape

Water Treatment Chemicals Industry Overview

The global water treatment chemicals market size was valued at USD 32.2 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% from 2023 to 2030. The growth can be attributed to increasing requirements from sugar and ethanol, fertilizers, geothermal power generation, petrochemical manufacturing, and refining industries, specifically in emerging economies. The increase in demand for developing a centralized facility for fluid treatment units for medium and small-scale manufacturers for complete in-situ processes attaining zero discharge is the prominent trend prevailing in the market. The market is expected to witness promising growth in the Middle East and Africa owing to the growing adoption of saline water treatment in order to fulfill the increasing water demand. Desalination is the most prominent technology used in different parts of the Middle East. Saudi Arabia is largely dependent on desalination to meet their water requirements.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Water Treatment Chemicals Market

The increasing charge on waste treatment by the municipalities has further provided an impetus for the industrialist to establish or improve their wastewater treatment and reuse facilities. Strength chemicals find its application in fluid treatment for emulsion breaking, sludge dewatering, and flocculation among others.

The oil & gas segment is expected to register a CAGR of 3.7% over the forecast period. Petroleum refineries and chemical plants use steam and water for a variety of processes ranging from desalination process to fluid catalytic cracking units, cooling towers, and steam generators. The scarcity of clean water has led to the need for efficient treatment processes in order to carry out sustainable and reliable operations in petroleum refineries and chemical plants. This is anticipated to boost the demand for chemicals in oil & gas end-use over the forecast period.

Browse through Grand View Research's Organic Chemicals Industry Research Reports.

• The global high purity methane gas market size was valued at USD 7.04 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2024 to 2030.

• The global dimethylaminopropylamine market size was estimated at USD 358.4 million in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2024 to 2030.

Key Water Treatment Chemicals Market For Geothermal Power Company Insights

The water treatment chemicals market is fragmented in nature. Manufacturers have a high degree of integration i.e. in-house raw material production facilities and long-term supply contracts with raw material suppliers. Products manufactured by the companies are sold in domestic and international markets through various distribution channels including direct supply agreements and third-party suppliers, which not only procure the finished products from the manufacturers but also distribute them across the region through an extensive product distribution network worldwide.

Furthermore, the business activities of the companies are extended to include control of the direct supply as well as manufacturing, distribution, and application of the product. Presence across various stages of the value chain has improved the profits of companies by reducing the cost of distribution and giving them better control over the pricing of their products.

Key Water Treatment Chemicals Companies:

SUEZ

BASF SE

Ecolab

Solenis

Nouryon

Kemira

Baker Hughes Company

Dow

SNF

Cortec Corporation

Recent Developments

In January 2023, Kemira, a chemical solutions provider for water-intensive industries, completed the full acquisition of SimAnalytics. This strategic move enhances Kemira's ability to provide data-driven predictive services and machine learning solutions to support its customers' businesses effectively. Through this acquisition, Kemira strengthens its portfolio and reinforces its commitment to delivering advanced and tailored solutions to meet evolving industry needs.

In September 2022, SUEZ unveiled its strategic plan for the year 2027, outlining its objective to become a trusted partner in circular solutions for water and waste management. The plan emphasizes the company's commitment to value creation through the provision of established solutions, heightened innovation, and reinforced investment capabilities. By addressing mounting environmental challenges faced by its clients, SUEZ aims to establish itself as a leading contributor in the industry. To realize this vision, the company has set forth a clear and ambitious growth strategy, targeting annual revenue growth of 4 to 5 percent by 2027. This objective will be supported by significant investment capabilities and a noteworthy 50 percent increase in research and development efforts

Order a free sample PDF of the Water Treatment Chemicals Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

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Oilfield Scale Inhibitor Market

Oilfield Scale Inhibitor Market Seen Soaring 7% Growth to Reach USD 1,410 Million by 2032, Projects Univdatos Market Insights

Key Highlights of the Report:

Application in Production Wells: Oilfield scale inhibitors are extensively used in production wells to prevent scale formation, reduce downtime, and enhance production rates, especially in mature oilfields.

Types of Scale Inhibitors: The market offers various types of scale inhibitors, including phosphonates, carboxylates, sulfonates, and others, with phosphonates being the most widely used due to their effectiveness in preventing scale formation.

Regional Market Trends: North America dominates the oilfield scale inhibitor market, followed by the Middle East and Asia-Pacific. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to grow significantly, driven by increasing oil and gas activities in countries like China and India.

Technological Advancements: The market is witnessing technological advancements, such as the development of environmentally friendly and biodegradable scale inhibitors and digital solutions for better monitoring and control of scale inhibition processes.

According to a new report by Univdatos Market Insights, the Oilfield Scale Inhibitor Market is expected to reach USD 1,410 Million in 2032 by growing at a CAGR of 7%. Oilfield scale inhibitors play a crucial role in the oil and gas industry by preventing the formation of mineral scales that can clog production equipment and reduce the efficiency of extraction processes. These chemical compounds, typically phosphonates, carboxylates, or sulfonates, are added to production fluids to interfere with the crystallization process of scale-forming minerals such as calcium carbonate and barium sulfate. By preventing scale buildup, scale inhibitors help maintain optimal flow rates, reduce maintenance costs, and extend the lifespan of equipment. The demand for these inhibitors is driven by the need to sustain high levels of production efficiency, particularly in mature oilfields where scale formation is more prevalent. The market for oilfield scale inhibitors is growing, supported by advancements in chemical formulations that improve their effectiveness and environmental friendliness. Key players in the industry are continuously innovating to address the challenges posed by different types of scales and varying operational conditions, ensuring that these essential additives meet the evolving needs of the oil and gas sector.

Unlock The Insights of This Strategic Report – https://univdatos.com/report/oilfield-scale-inhibitor-market/get-a-free-sample-form.php?product_id=60125

The oilfield scale inhibitor market is driven by several key factors, including the increasing demand for oil and gas, the need to maintain production efficiency, and the growing emphasis on environmental sustainability. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), global energy consumption is expected to increase by nearly 50% between 2018 and 2050, with oil and gas remaining primary energy sources. This growing demand for hydrocarbons drives oil and gas companies to explore and extract from more challenging reservoirs, where scale formation is a common issue. Additionally, the depletion of easy-to-access oil reserves has led to the development of mature fields, which are more prone to scale formation. Scale inhibitors are essential to maintaining production rates in these fields. Furthermore, there is a growing focus on environmental sustainability in the oil and gas industry, driven by regulations and consumer demand for cleaner energy sources. Scale inhibitors help reduce the environmental impact of oil and gas production by improving production efficiency and reducing the need for harsh chemicals. As a result, the demand for environmentally friendly scale inhibitors is expected to grow, further driving the market for oilfield scale inhibitors.

Recent Technological Advancements:

Nanotechnology: Nanotechnology has enabled the development of more effective scale inhibitors with enhanced capabilities to inhibit scale formation in oil wells and production equipment.

Smart Polymers: Smart polymers, also known as stimuli-responsive polymers, have been developed as scale inhibitors. These polymers can change their properties in response to environmental changes, such as temperature, pH, or salinity, allowing for more targeted and efficient scale inhibition.

Environmentally Friendly Formulations: There is a growing focus on developing environmentally friendly scale inhibitors that are biodegradable and have minimal environmental impact. These formulations are becoming increasingly important as the industry seeks to reduce its ecological footprint.

Improved Delivery Systems: Advances in delivery systems, such as encapsulation and controlled release technologies, have led to more efficient and targeted delivery of scale inhibitors, reducing the amount of chemicals required and minimizing waste.

Digitalization: Digital technologies, such as sensors and data analytics, are improving the monitoring and control of scale inhibitors in oilfield operations. This allows for real-time tracking of scale inhibition processes, leading to more efficient use of chemicals and improved production efficiency.

Unlock The Insights of This Strategic Report – https://univdatos.com/report/oilfield-scale-inhibitor-market/get-a-free-sample-form.php?product_id=60125

Conclusion

In conclusion, the oilfield scale inhibitor market is a vital segment of the oil and gas industry, ensuring the efficient and sustainable extraction of hydrocarbons. The market is driven by the increasing global demand for oil and gas, the need to maintain production efficiency in mature fields, and the growing focus on environmental sustainability. Recent technological advancements, such as nanotechnology, smart polymers, and environmentally friendly formulations, have enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of scale inhibitors, making them indispensable in modern oilfield operations. As the industry continues to evolve, innovative solutions and the adoption of digital technologies are expected to drive growth in the oilfield scale inhibitor market, ensuring the continued success of worldwide oil and gas production.

Key Offerings of the Report

Market Size, Trends, & Forecast by Revenue | 2024−2032

Market Dynamics – Leading Trends, Growth Drivers, Restraints, and Investment Opportunities

Market Segmentation – A detailed analysis by Type, and Application

Competitive Landscape – Top Key Vendors and Other Prominent Vendors

Author: Himanshu Chauhan

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Chelates Market - Forecast(2024 - 2030)

Chelates Market Overview

Chelates market size is forecast to reach US$7.5 billion by 2027 after growing at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period 2022-2027. Chelating agents are organic compounds that link metal ions to form ring-like structures called chelates. A chelate is formed when a polydentate ligand bonds to a central metal atom. These ligands are called chelants, chelators, chelating agents, or sequestering agents. Chelation is useful in applications such as providing nutritional supplements, in chelation therapy to remove toxic metals from the body, as contrast agents in MRI scanning, in pulp processing, as cleaners and detergents, in water treatment to assist in the removal of metals, and in fertilizers. The most widely used chelate is ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid commonly called EDTA. It is used in detergents, liquid soaps, shampoos, agricultural chemical sprays, contact lens cleaners, and cosmetics. The growing need for water treatment is expected to drive the chelates market during the forecast period.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic affected every industry. The pandemic affected the pulp and paper industry to an unprecedented extent. It accelerated existing trends and turned other parts of the industry upside down. On account of awareness of hygiene and sanitation practices, the demand for paper towels, toilet paper, and wipes skyrocketed leading to shortages. Business Insider reports that the US saw $1.45 billion in toilet paper sales in March 2020, and experienced an 845% increase in demand from 2019. Lockdowns and stay-at-home mandates resulted in store closures and banning in-person dining in restaurants which resulted in a boom in e-commerce and food delivery sectors. This resulted in great demand for packaging products. While packaging and other paper products surged, printing did not farewell. Work-from-home and online classes resulted in lower demand for paper from the education and commercial sectors. The absence of office printers and the switch to digital meetings drastically reduced paper consumption. The availability of e-books and e-papers led to low demand for newspapers, books, and magazines. Thus, the ups and downs in the paper industry impacted the chelates industry.

Report Coverage

The report: “Chelates Market – Forecast (2022-2027)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the chelates industry.

By Product: EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid), Green Chelates (MGDA (Methylglycinediacetic acid), GLDA (Glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid), IDS (Imminodisuccinate), and EDDS (Ethylenediamine-N,N’-disuccinic acid)), DTPA (Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), Sodium Etidronate, Sodium Gluconate and Others (Phosphonates) (ATMP Aminotris (methylenephosphonic acid), DTPMP Diethylenetriaminepenta (methylenephosphonic acid), HEDP Etidronic Acid, PBTC Phosphonobutane Tricarboxylic acid, and PAPEMP Polyamino Polyether Methylene Phosphonic acid)

By Type:  Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable

By Grade: Liquid Grade and Solid Grade

By End-Use Industry: Agriculture (Fertigation, Foliar Spray, Seed Dressing, and Others), Pulp & Paper (Bleaching Wood Pulp, Stabilizers, and Pulp Processing), Food & Beverage (Beverages, Dressings, Sauces and Spreads, Canned Vegetables, Canned Seafood,         Pickled Products, and Others (Pie Fillings, Colour Additives)), Industrial (Enhanced Oil Recovery, Scale Removal, Water Treatment, Corrosion Inhibitor, and Others), Healthcare & Pharmaceutical (Contrast Agents, Nutritional Supplements, Pharmaceutical Preservatives & Stabilizers, and Others), Personal Care & Consumer Products (Cleaners, Detergent, Cosmetics, and Others), Textile and Others

By Geography: North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle East, and Africa) 

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Key Takeaways

Asia-Pacific dominates the chelates market, owing to a large proportion of agricultural lands and increasing agricultural practices in this region. According to Invest India, India’s agriculture technology to attain $24.1 billion by 2025.

Chelation is a process in which a polydentate ligand bonds to a metal ion and forms a ring. The complex produced by this process is called a chelate, and the polydentate ligand is referred to as a chelating agent.

Green chelates or natural chelating agents are also known as biodegradable chelating agents. They were formulated as an eco-friendly and highly efficient alternative for the two most frequently used chelating agents, nitrotriacetic acid (NTA) and EDTA.

The major opportunity for this market is high research spending to develop eco-friendly products that are cost-effective.

Chelates Market Segment Analysis – By Product

The sodium gluconate segment held a significant share of up to 20% in the chelates market in 2021.  Sodium gluconate is the sodium salt of gluconic acid formed by the fermentation of glucose. Sodium gluconate chelates and forms stable complexes with various ions, preventing them from engaging in chemical reactions. It forms stable chelates with divalent and trivalent metal ions such as calcium, copper, iron, aluminum, and other metals. It is also an excellent humectant. These properties contribute to the use of sodium gluconate as a high-performing chelating agent, sequestrant, processing aid, humectant, and corrosion inhibitor in a variety of applications. The outstanding property of sodium gluconate is its excellent chelating capability, especially in alkaline and concentrated alkaline solutions which surpass all the other chelating agents, such as EDTA, NTA, and related compounds. The use of sodium gluconate has increased in food applications where it works by inhibiting bitterness. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified sodium gluconate as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and its use in the food industry is permitted without limitation. Owing to its non-corrosive, non-volatile, non-toxic, non-odorous, and readily biodegradable nature, sodium gluconate is set to dominate the chelates market during the forecast period.

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Chelates Market Segment Analysis – By End Use Industry

The personal care and consumer goods segment held a significant share in the chelates market in 2021. Chelates have a unique property- they can form soluble complexes with metal ions. They can also capture and transport the ions away from areas where they are not needed. This enables them to remove dirt and scale, soften water, and boost cleaning action, making them essential ingredients for cleaning products. Soaps and detergents react with the mineral deposits in hard water and form soap scum and scale in dishwashers which over a period of time accumulate and can degrade the appliance. According to EcoPure, over 85% of the USA has hard water. Calcium and magnesium are the two most common contributors to hard water. Hard water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), refers to the amount of dissolved calcium, magnesium, and other minerals found in water. Chelating agents are widely used in domestic cleaning products to prevent calcium and magnesium ions naturally found in water from forming soap scum. There are many chelating agents, but EDTA and citric acid are two commonly found chelates in cleaning products owing to their cost-effectiveness. In cosmetic formulations, metals promote oxidation reactions, impair the foaming properties of surfactants, and potentially cause discoloration. Chelates bind with metal ions and play a crucial role in the stability and efficacy of cosmetics. Thus, the personal care and consumer goods segment is expected to hold a significant share in the chelates market.

Chelates Market Segment Analysis – By Geography

The Asia-Pacific region held the largest share in the Chelates Market in 2021 up to 35%, owing to the agricultural industry and water treatment practices in the region. China accounts for approximately 12.9% of the cultivable land globally. According to FAO, China is the largest producer of various crops, including rice, wheat, pears, peaches, potatoes, lettuce, cabbage, and other vegetables. In India, agriculture is the backbone of the economy. India is the leading producer of millets, pulses, ginger, okra, bananas, papayas, mangoes, lemons, guavas, and spices (except cinnamon). The FAO and UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s 2021 Asia and the Pacific Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition pointed out that 1.8 billion people in the Asia-Pacific region did not have access to adequate food in 2020 – an increase of almost 150 billion in just 12 months. In order to get on a better track, food security is one of the most critical issues at hand. One way of achieving this could be by increasing yields and promoting healthy plant growth. Chelates play an important role in agriculture as it increases the efficient use of fertilizers and nutrient availability at the root level and in particular increase the mobility of nutrients such as potassium and phosphorus. The United Nations projects that by 2025, half of the countries worldwide will face water stress or outright shortages. By 2050, as many as three out of four people around the globe could be affected by water scarcity. Although Asia is home to more than half of the world’s population, it has less freshwater 3,920 cubic meters per person per year. Hence, water treatment is of paramount importance in the region. It is anticipated that countries such as India, China, Singapore, Indonesia, etc. will make improvements in water treatment processes. Therefore, the growing need for chelates from agrochemicals and water treatment is driving the chelates market in the region.

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Chelates Market Drivers

Growing Need for Water Treatment

Water treatment is done to improve water quality. Water treatment has relevance as worldwide water demand is constantly under pressure due to the increasing world population and a globally improved standard of living. With the increasing urbanization and economic development, the current water supply is unlikely to satisfy the ever-growing demand. It is estimated that about 3.4 million of the world’s population die every year due to deprived access to clean drinking water. According to the United Nations, nearly one-third of the world’s population lack access to safely managed drinking water services. Due to the scarcity of this natural resource, it is important to reuse water and use it for other industrial purposes such as cooling, cleaning, etc. Hard water contains high levels of metal ions such as calcium and magnesium, which impact the performance of many products. Removing metal ions is therefore a key part of many industrial and domestic processes that use water. Softening is an important technique commonly used to remove hardness which is performed by the addition of chelating agents.  Hence, the growing need for water treatment acts as a driver for the chelates market. 

Development of Green Chelates

Some chelates are poorly biodegradable and affect the environment. Natural chelating agents are biodegradable products used mainly for washing, surface cleaning, detergents, and home care purposes. GLDA and MGDA are green chelating agents that are the best replacements for phosphates in most cleaning applications and they outperform alternatives like citrates, gluconates, and zeolites because they form stronger bonds with metal ions. They combine excellent performance with a superior ecological profile since they are readily biodegradable and largely biobased. The core ingredients used to manufacture green chelates are derived from biological and renewable sources such as beet sugar and corn sugar. GLDA was developed as a cost-effective, green alternative to the two most frequently used agents, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and nitrotriacetic acid. The development of green chelates creates an opportunity for sustainable products and thus acts as a driver for the chelates market. 

Chelates Market Challenges

Environmental Impact of EDTA and Phosphonates

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is a well-known chelating agent and has numerous applications in various industries. EDTA is a chelate ligand with a high affinity constant to form metal-EDTA complexes to sequester metal ions. In general, EDTA has a low toxic impact on both humans and natural environments. There are some concerns, however, about its poor biodegradation in conventional wastewater treatment plants and natural environments, and its effect in mobilizing heavy metals from solid phases to pose a risk to groundwater. EDTA behaves as a persistent pollutant in the environment, enhancing the mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals. In natural environments, studies detect poor bio-degradability of the ligand. Phosphonates are also known to be poorly degradable chelates. The phosphorus in phosphonates serves as a nutrient, and the deposition of large quantities of phosphates in lakes and waterways induces excessive growth of plants and algae. This excessive growth depletes oxygen and endangers aquatic life. As a result, phosphonates have been discouraged around the world. Biodegradation tests with sludge from municipal sewage treatment plants with HEDP and NTMP showed no indication for any degradation. An investigation of HEDP, NTMP, and DTPMP in standard biodegradation tests also failed to identify any biodegradation. Such concerns over certain chelates can prove to be a challenge for the chelates industry.

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Chelates Industry Outlook

Product launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the chelates market. Chelates market top 10 companies include:

Akzo Nobel N.V.

BASF SE

Kemira

The Dow Chemical Company

Archer Daniels Midland Company

Nouryon

Cargill

Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd

Jungbunzlauer

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Recent Developments

In November 2020, BASF’s Care Creations launched a highly stable chelating agent, Neutrol MGDA for personal care applications. Neutrol MGDA is suitable for various fields of application: from shower gels and liquid soaps to shampoos, styling products, baby cleansing products, skin creams, and toothpaste.

In January 2019, Nouryon signed a deal with Itaconix for bio-based polymers for the detergents market. Under the terms of the agreement, Itaconix will produce and supply polymers with chelating properties that Nouryon will market to customers in household, institutional, and industrial detergent and cleaner applications. 

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Polymaleic Phosphonate: A Promising Corrosion Inhibitor 

for Metal Surfaces

Corrosion is a persistent and costly problem that affects a wide range of industries, including oil and gas, marine, and manufacturing. Metal surfaces exposed to harsh environments, such as high temperatures, humidity, and aggressive chemicals, are particularly vulnerable to corrosion. To combat this issue, researchers have been exploring various corrosion inhibitors, and one promising solution that has gained significant attention is polymaleic phosphonate.

Polymaleic phosphonate is a unique compound that possesses excellent corrosion inhibition properties. It belongs to the family of phosphonates, which are known for their ability to form stable complexes with metal ions and provide a protective barrier on metal surfaces. Polymaleic phosphonate, in particular, stands out due to its high thermal stability, excellent chelating capabilities, and compatibility with various metals.

One of the key advantages of polymaleic phosphonate is its ability to form a thin, uniform, and adherent protective film on metal surfaces. This film acts as a barrier, preventing corrosive agents, such as oxygen and moisture, from reaching the metal substrate. Furthermore, the chelating properties of polymaleic phosphonate enable it to bind with metal ions, forming stable complexes that inhibit corrosion even in aggressive environments.

The effectiveness of polymaleic phosphonate as a corrosion inhibitor has been demonstrated in numerous studies and practical applications. For example, in the oil and gas industry, where metal pipelines are exposed to corrosive fluids and gases, polymaleic phosphonate has shown remarkable performance in reducing corrosion rates and extending the service life of equipment. Similarly, in marine environments, where ships and offshore structures face the constant threat of corrosion due to seawater exposure, polymaleic phosphonate has proven to be a reliable solution for corrosion protection.

Apart from its corrosion inhibition properties, polymaleic phosphonate offers other significant advantages. It is highly soluble in water, which makes it easy to handle and apply in various industrial processes. Its compatibility with different metals, such as steel, copper, and aluminum, makes it versatile and applicable in diverse settings. Moreover, polymaleic phosphonate is environmentally friendly, as it does not contain toxic heavy metals or produce harmful byproducts during its degradation.

To maximize the benefits of polymaleic phosphonate as a corrosion inhibitor, proper dosage, application method, and maintenance should be considered. The concentration of polymaleic phosphonate should be optimized based on the severity of the corrosive environment and the specific metal being protected. It can be applied through various methods, including injection into the system, circulation, or as a coating. Regular monitoring and replenishment of the inhibitor are necessary to ensure continued protection against corrosion.

While polymaleic phosphonate shows great promise as a corrosion inhibitor, ongoing research and development efforts are focused on further enhancing its performance and exploring its potential in new applications. Scientists are investigating the synergistic effects of polymaleic phosphonate in combination with other additives to achieve even better corrosion control. Additionally, studies are being conducted to understand the long-term stability of the protective film formed by polymaleic phosphonate under different operating conditions.

In conclusion, polymaleic phosphonate has emerged as a highly promising corrosion inhibitor for metal surfaces. Its ability to form a protective film, its chelating capabilities, and its compatibility with various metals make it an attractive option for industries seeking effective corrosion protection. 

By employing polymaleic phosphonate, companies can mitigate the costly impacts of corrosion, extend the lifespan of their equipment, and improve overall operational efficiency. If you’re looking for the best PMP Manufacturers, check out Aquapharm Chemical’s website. 

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Stay Ahead of Sudden Oak Death: Top 10 Prevention Techniques for Trees

Sudden Oak Death is the name for a disease caused by Phytophthora ramorum. This recently introduced non-native pathogen has killed thousands of oak trees in 14 coastal counties in California alone. The disease can be moved long distances quickly in infected plants, and professionals use phosphonate fungicide for both sudden oak death prevention and infected oak tree treatment.

What Is A Phytophthora Ramorum And How Does It Spread Sudden Oak Death?

The pathogen is similar to a fungus, but it is closely related to some marine algae. P. ramorum affects tree parts above the ground level. It’s one of the most destructive diseases of oak trees, and the fungus is deadly and can wipe out all trees in one’s orchard. Young plants are particularly vulnerable and usually decline as soon as sudden oak death disease progresses and infects the trees.

The pathogen thrives mostly in wet conditions by forming sporangia (sacs of spores) on infected parts of a tree. When it’s windy or rainy, there is a spread of sporangia. Also, zoospores are released when they land on a wet surface. They germinate and infect the oaks, starting a new infection that leads to sudden oak disease.

P. ramorum also makes thick-walled resting spores called chlamydospores in infected tree parts, which gives it leverage to thrive under extensive heat and drought and persist for months in soil and tree debris, making the fungus complex to deal with at times.

The pathogen can be spread aerially by wind or wind-driven rain. The pathogen moves within tree canopies from treetops to stems and shrubs, and it survives in infested plant substances, be it litter, soil, or water. It can be moved long distances in young and infected plants, thus spreading sudden oak death.

What Can Be Done To Protect Trees From Sudden Oak Death

Professionals evaluate the health care of oak trees on a regular basis to examine sudden oak diseases. When they identify infected plants, they offer accurate sudden oak death treatment to host plants and neighboring oak trees in your landscape. They also provide trunk and soil injections to enhance the strength, immune system, and healthy growth of oak trees so that they can combat the entry of fungus. However, balanced nourishments and optimum care can protect trees from sudden oak death. Still, the fungus succeeds in infecting oak trees; then it is commendable if you eliminate the spread of sudden oak death disease at an early stage.

Warning Signs Of The Phytophthora Ramorum Invasion

The usual symptoms of infection are mostly the presence of a discolored area of dead bark or cankers on the trunk. You will usually find Cankers on the trunk from ground to eye level. Also, the Cankers can be anywhere on the wood parts except on the roots.

At times, the fungi exude a viscous, saplike substance (the tree’s response to infection) that can run down the trunk or stain moss and turn it brown. If the bark is removed, you will notice a patch of dead brown tissue.

When the pathogen is present, the soil environment plays a very crucial role in the development of symptoms. Symptoms do not appear unless there is an imbalance between the water requirements of the leaves and the capacity of the roots to absorb water. So, the sudden oak death fungus affects different plant species in different ways.

Not all affected species decline; some suffer tip and shoot die-back, while others experience relatively harmless leaf spotting. Sudden oak death on trees in the oak family is characterized by “bleeding” Cankers that girdle the trunks of oak trees.

When sudden oak death infects the leaves, they turn pale green, wilted, and fall readily to the ground. Shoots die back from the tips, and eventually, the tree is reduced to a bare framework of dying branches. Some trees may take a few months or even several years to recover from the sudden oak disease.

Key Visible Symptoms For The Presence Of Sudden Oak Disease

Feeder roots turn black, decayed, and become reduced in number.

Leaf margins develop brown, necrotic symptoms typical of salt burn.

Under severe waterlogging, a rapid decline of trees may occur.

The leaves wilt and die, leaving a canopy of brown, dead leaves.

A weeping stem canker occurs on the lower trunk.

Accurate Treatment Of Infected Oak Trees On-Spot

To treat infected oak trees, an integrated approach that relies on pathogen-free plants, cultural and biological controls, resistant rootstocks, and chemicals is required.

Experts come up with a range of useful treatments for sudden oak death prevention. However, phosphate is the most promising treatment for individual oak trees under the threat of P. ramorum.

Phosphate has systematic fungicidal properties, which travel via the tree’s transport systems to all parts of the tree. However, this makes it ideal for sudden oak death disease treatment. In addition, it stimulates the tree’s resistance to pathogen invasion and growth when it produces defense compounds and thickening of protective tree cells on tree layers which also work as sudden oak death prevention in the future.

Although the fungicide is effective as a preventive treatment on not yet infected trees, it’s difficult to gauge the stage of infection for an inexperienced person. But if the infection is recent, phosphate slows down the infection’s progress and potentially enhances the tree’s lifespan.

Method Of Phosphate Treatment

Since this fungicide is a systematic treatment, it should be applied strategically. It is essential so that a tree can absorb and distribute the sudden oak death fungicide throughout the transport system. So, relying on professionals is crucial for optimum oak tree healthcare and control of fungus.

Injection

Injections use less phosphate and the amount applied is consistent from tree to tree. The method is the most trusted because it doesn’t cause any chemical drift in the environment, but it’s a bit complicated to apply unless you are a professional.

The applicator must use a syringe that applies constant pressure for the tree to be able to absorb, and you can simply do this on sunny days when the tree is most active.

How To Keep Oak Trees Healthy And Vigorous?

To keep the oak trees healthy and vigorous and avoid sudden oak death infection, you have to take good care of the infected trees. Also, you should maintain the quality of soil and optimum fertilization.

Recommended Measures

Irrigate attentively, avoiding both over and under irrigation.

Increase the organic matter content of the soil using ground covers and mulch, and keep mulch away near tree trunks.

Put gypsum under the canopy of the tree to discourage the formation of spores.

Fertilizing an oak tree helps keep it healthy and disease-free.

Watering, nurturing, and oak tree fertilization regularly helps keep oak trees healthy and vigorous to tolerate stress, insect infestation, and diseases.

Maintaining Nutritional Balance In Oak Trees By Providing Adequate Nutrition

For maintaining nutritional balance in oak trees, systemic chemicals are a necessity in addition to cultural practices. Watering deeply, to one to two feet, in the outer two-thirds of the root zone is ideal.

Alternatively, offering organic mulch under the tree can conserve moisture in the root zone by reducing surface evaporation. Mulch also inhibits the growth of weeds, which can compete with oak roots for moisture and nutrients.

Nitrogen is the primary nutrient of value to oak trees, but prior to rain or irrigation, you can apply it on the ground to cover the outer two-thirds of the root zone. It can be injected with water or placed into holes dug into the ground.

Experts recommend applying fertilizers at a rate of two to four pounds of actual nitrogen per thousand square feet of area. For instance, if a nitrogen fertilizer contains 20 percent elemental nitrogen, you can apply 10 to 20 pounds per thousand square feet of area. Organic slow-release nitrogen sources are preferable, and you should try to apply them in late winter to allow them to move into the root zone, thus creating a nutritional balance in the oak trees.

Takeaway

Sudden Oak Death is the name for a disease caused by Phytophthora ramorum. The fungus can move long distances quickly via infected plants ,and experts use phosphonate fungicide for prevention and treatment.

Phytophthora ramorum is similar to a fungus, but it is closely related to some marine algae, and it affects tree parts above the ground level. It’s one of the most destructive diseases of oak trees. Mostly, the affected trees decline as soon as they are infected by the sudden oak death disease. The pathogen thrives mostly in wet conditions by forming sacs of spores on parts of a tree. The symptoms of this pathogen are that the feeder roots turn black, decayed, and become reduced in number, and leaf margins develop brown, necrotic symptoms typical of salt burn. For treatment, you have to consult expert arborists to apply injections of phosphate to the infected trees and treat sudden oak death diseases.

Original Source: Ways To Protect Trees From Sudden Oak Death Before Infection

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Phosphonate Prices | Pricing | Price | News | Database | Chart | Forecast

 Phosphonates prices are a vital group of chemical compounds widely utilized in various industrial applications, ranging from water treatment and agriculture to detergents and personal care products. The pricing of phosphonates is influenced by several factors, including raw material costs, production processes, supply chain dynamics, and global demand. In recent years, the phosphonate market has seen fluctuations in prices, driven by a combination of these factors.

One of the primary drivers of phosphonate prices is the cost of raw materials. Phosphonates are typically derived from phosphorus, which is obtained from phosphate rock. The availability and price of phosphate rock directly impact the cost of producing phosphonates. Global supply disruptions, changes in mining regulations, and geopolitical tensions in major phosphorus-producing regions can lead to significant price variations. For instance, any restrictions on phosphate rock exports from key suppliers can cause a ripple effect, driving up the prices of phosphonates globally. Additionally, the cost of other chemicals used in the synthesis of phosphonates, such as formaldehyde and sodium hydroxide, also plays a crucial role in determining the final price of the product.

Energy costs are another significant factor affecting phosphonate prices. The production of phosphonates is energy-intensive, and fluctuations in energy prices, particularly electricity and natural gas, can directly influence manufacturing costs. In regions where energy prices are high or volatile, producers may face increased production costs, which can be passed on to consumers in the form of higher phosphonate prices. Conversely, a decline in energy costs can lead to reduced production expenses, potentially lowering prices if demand remains stable.

Get Real Time Prices for Phosphonate: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/phosphonate-1462

The supply chain dynamics also play a critical role in shaping phosphonate prices. The transportation and logistics costs associated with moving raw materials and finished products can vary depending on factors such as fuel prices, shipping routes, and global trade policies. Disruptions in the supply chain, such as port congestion, shipping delays, or changes in trade regulations, can lead to increased costs and, consequently, higher phosphonate prices. The availability of raw materials and finished products in different regions also affects pricing. In some cases, regional shortages or surpluses can create price disparities, with markets experiencing shortages seeing higher prices compared to those with ample supply.

Global demand for phosphonates is another key determinant of their prices. Phosphonates are used in a wide range of industries, and demand is closely linked to the performance of these sectors. For example, in the water treatment industry, phosphonates are used to prevent scale formation and corrosion in industrial water systems. As industries such as power generation, oil and gas, and manufacturing expand, the demand for phosphonates in water treatment applications tends to increase, supporting higher prices. Similarly, in agriculture, phosphonates are used as chelating agents and stabilizers in fertilizers. The global agricultural sector's growth, driven by population increases and changing dietary patterns, can lead to higher demand for phosphonates, thereby influencing prices.

Moreover, the prices of phosphonates are also affected by environmental regulations and sustainability considerations. Increasingly stringent environmental regulations aimed at reducing the environmental impact of industrial chemicals have led to the development of greener and more sustainable phosphonate products. However, these environmentally friendly alternatives often come with higher production costs, which can translate into higher prices for consumers. Producers may also face additional costs related to compliance with environmental regulations, such as waste management and emissions control, which can further influence pricing.

In recent years, the phosphonate market has experienced price volatility due to global economic conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, disrupted supply chains and caused fluctuations in demand across various industries, leading to price instability in the phosphonate market. The economic recovery following the pandemic has seen a rebound in demand, particularly in industries such as water treatment, agriculture, and cleaning products, driving up prices. However, ongoing challenges such as supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and inflationary pressures continue to impact the market, contributing to price uncertainty.

Furthermore, competition within the phosphonate market also plays a role in pricing. The market is characterized by the presence of several key players, each vying for market share. Intense competition can lead to price wars, with producers lowering prices to attract customers. However, this can also lead to margin pressures and may result in some players exiting the market if they cannot sustain profitability. On the other hand, consolidation within the industry, through mergers and acquisitions, can reduce competition and potentially lead to higher prices as market power becomes concentrated among fewer players.

In addition to these factors, technological advancements in phosphonate production can also influence prices. Innovations in manufacturing processes that improve efficiency or reduce raw material consumption can lead to cost savings, which may be passed on to consumers in the form of lower prices. Conversely, investments in new technologies or production facilities may lead to higher upfront costs for producers, which could be reflected in phosphonate prices.

Overall, the pricing of phosphonates is a complex interplay of various factors, including raw material costs, energy prices, supply chain dynamics, global demand, environmental regulations, and competition within the industry. As the global economy continues to evolve, so too will the factors influencing phosphonate prices, making it essential for industry stakeholders to stay informed and adaptable to changing market conditions.

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The Soundcarriers Reissue Highly Sought After OOP Celeste Album

Since stumbling upon The Soundcarriers in 2014 with their Entropicalia LP release to reliably excellent label Ghost Box I've been obsessed with their ethereal folk reminiscent of my all time favorite band Broadcast. Celeste marked their sophomore release in 2010, and I've been searching for a copy for >$200 for years, so this expanded repress is worth celebrating!

This is the second remastered and reissued album, with Entropicalia LP getting a small limited to 100 remaster in 2022 to coincide with the release of their new Wilds LP.

They have a devoted fan base and this one will go quickly. Dinked Edition is likely gone in 24hrs, and there's no pressing info on the regular black vinyl coming from Phosphonic, but probably also limited. This edition expands to include 5 bonus tracks featuring instrumentals and alternate mixes on side D.

The Soundcarriers: Celeste 2XLP Dinked edition 'Sunny-Side Up' orange-in-white vinyl. Remastered with newly designed artwork. Includes exclusive A3 poster and obi strip. Edition of 400 numbered copies. Pre-order now from a variety of UK record stores, I go with Norman Records for their reasonable US shipping, or Piccadilly Records

UPDATE: Wow, dinked is already sold out from Norman Records in under an hour (they still have the black edition) or grab Dinked from Piccadilly Records or where ever you can find it stat

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Global Polymeric Phosphonates Market 2019 Share and Forecast to 2024: Giovanni Bozzetto(Italy), etc.

Global Polymeric Phosphonates Market : Overview Global  Polymeric Phosphonates Market  report offers the latest industry trends, technological innovations and forecast market data. A deep-dive view of Polymeric Phosphonates industry based on market size, Polymeric Phosphonates growth, development plans, and opportunities is offered by this report. The forecast market information, SWOT analysis, Polymeric Phosphonates barriers, and feasibility study are the vital aspects analyzed in this report. The up-to-date, comprehensive item learning, industry development curve, end clients will drive the income and benefit. Polymeric Phosphonates report ponders the current situation with the business to investigate the future development openings and hazard factors. Polymeric Phosphonates report goes for giving a 360-degree advertise situation. Initially, the report offers Polymeric Phosphonates introduction, fundamental overview, objectives, market definition, Polymeric Phosphonates scope, and market size estimation. Request Sample of Global Polymeric Phosphonates Market @: https://www.acquiremarketresearch.com/sample-request/2284/ Top Companies covered in the report: Giovanni Bozzetto(Italy), Qingshuiyuan Water Treatment Company(China), .... Regions covered in the market report: North America (United States, Canada and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, UK, Russia and Italy), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, Korea, India and Southeast Asia), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia etc.), Middle East and Africa (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa) Types Of Global Polymeric Phosphonates Market:  HEDP, ATMP, PBTC, DTPMP, BHMTPMPA, HPAA Applications Of Global Polymeric Phosphonates Market:  Electric power, Chemical industry, Metallurgy, Fertilizer The report features leading Polymeric Phosphonates manufacturers/companies with analysis of their production processes, manufacturing capacity, plant locations, and product specifications. It also emphasizes distribution networks, value chain, raw material sourcing, import-export activities, and global presence. Additionally, their financial assessment is also illuminated in the report, which is based on Polymeric Phosphonates sales volume, revenue earnings, gross margin, and growth rate. Read Table of Content of Polymeric Phosphonates Market at @ https://www.acquiremarketresearch.com/industry-reports/global-polymeric-phosphonates-market-growth-2019-2024/2284/ Key Reasons to Purchase: 1) Comprehensive assessment of all opportunities and risk in the Polymeric Phosphonates market. 2) The market share procured by each product in the Polymeric Phosphonates market analysis, alongside the production growth and the value of each type segment has been mentioned. 3) The price and sales prevailing in the Polymeric Phosphonates market size, as well as the estimated growth trends for the Polymeric Phosphonates market, have been mentioned. 4) Substantial information with regards to the price trends, production volume, has been provided. 5) The report endorses appreciable information with respect to the market growth positioning as well as the marketing channel development trends. With regards to the market positioning, the study discusses the aspects such as target clientele, pricing strategies, and brand tactics. 6) Conclusive study about the growth plot of Polymeric Phosphonates market for forthcoming years. In the end, the report makes some important proposals for a new project of Polymeric Phosphonates Industry before evaluating its feasibility. Overall, the report provides an in-depth insight of 2019-2024 global Polymeric Phosphonates industry covering all important parameters. Ask for discounts @ https://www.acquiremarketresearch.com/discount-request/2284/ Request a customized copy of Polymeric Phosphonates report We are grateful to you for reading our report. If you wish to find more details of the report or want customization, contact us. You can get a detailed of the entire research here. If you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.

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Scale Inhibitors Market Research, Agency, Business Opportunities with New Players

Scale inhibitors market will grow at a rate of 4.70% for the forecast period of 2021 to 2028. Increasing demand from oil & gas industry is a vital factor driving the growth of feed acidifiers market.

Scale inhibitors is a type of chemical whose main applications is the treatment of fluids, as it helps in avoiding any accumulation of formation of undesirable materials in the fluid they are used in. These chemicals are used constantly for the prevention of any material formulation in the container of fluids.

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Key Market Competitors: Scale Inhibitors Market

The major players covered in the scale inhibitors market report are Clariant, Kemira, GENERAL ELECTRIC, Dow, Lenntech B.V., Solvay, Ashland, Avista Technologies Inc., Innovative Chemical Technologies, BASF SE, Ecolab, Akzo Nobel N.V., Gulf Coast Chemical LLC, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Innospec, Eastman Chemical Company, Dai-ichi India Pvt Ltd, Cortec Corporation, Suez Environnement, Arkema, and Solenis among other domestic and global players.

Segmentation: Global Scale Inhibitors Market

·         By Product (Phosphonate Scale Inhibitor, Carboxylate/Acrylic Scale Inhibitor, Sulfonate Scale Inhibitor, Others)

·         By Application (Power and Construction Industry, Mining Industry, Oil and Gas Industry, Water and Wastewater Treatment Industry, Food and Beverage Industry)

·         By Country (U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America, Germany, France)

Focus of the report

·         CAGR values in the market for the forecast period

·         Key trends in the market place

·         Major players and brands

·         Historical and current market size and projection up to 2026.

·         Detailed overview of parent market

·         Changing market dynamics of the industry

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Reasons to Purchase this Report

•                    The segment that is expected to dominate the market as well as the segment which holds highest CAGR in the forecast period

•                    Regions/Countries that are expected to witness the fastest growth rates during the forecast period

•                    The latest developments, market shares, and strategies that are employed by the major market players

Key insights in the report:

•                    Complete and distinct analysis of the market drivers and restraints

•                    Key Market players involved in this industry

•                    Detailed analysis of the Market Segmentation

•                    Competitive analysis of the key players involved

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[tanadrin]

The Vault

[Attention conservation notice: 6800 words, SF]

The car trundled uneasily over the stony road toward the dig site. Idalrea was a bleak landscape at the best of times: glacier-scoured barrens, lowlands inundated by cold seas, here and there thin expanses of soil in which mosses and bits of grass could occasionally thrive, and, of course, all of this under the unremitting polar sun. It should be hotter, Mazal thought. He always expected Idalrea in the summertime to be warm, and perhaps further inland, away from the moderating effect of the polar currents, it was. But here, even in the sheltered fjords of the northern isles, it was cool and overcast, a perpetual pale gloom. He remembered something vague from a book once, about evolution. They had arisen here, not in the isles, but to the south, in the sheltered place between Idalrea’s mountains and the coast. No wonder most of their species had sailed the world’s oceans in search of new homes in the millennia since. There was little to love in this gray land.

Of course, it could just have been that Mazal was in a bad mood. The car had a roof, but no sides, and he was cold and miserable, and the bouncing up and down was starting to make him feel sick. He looked over at the driver, one of Asala’s students.

“How much longer?” he asked.

“We’re just about there. Over this next rise, you’ll see it.”

Mazal did his best to stay calm. To keep his expectations measured, reasonable. He had dreamed of a day like this since he was a young man, since his earliest days as a botanist. And while he had always tried to couch his theories in the most cautious terms, to present only the narrowest and most thoroughly justified conclusions in the papers he published, he had to admit to himself that he nonetheless still nursed the wild, youthful dreams of those early years. He still hoped for some firsthand evidence of what he knew in his heart to be true--but he could wait.

The car climbed a low hill, a shoulder of a low moraine that abutted a stony outcropping, and turned a corner. Suddenly the view up the beach toward the head of the fjord was laid bare, and Mazal could see at the far end small figures in brightly-colored jackets moving around the beach. The gray rocky sides of the hills swept down almost to the water’s edge here, and where they met up ahead there was an immense pile of rock.

“There, you see it?” his driver said. “That’s the dig site. The door is just there, where the boulders are.”

Mazal leaned forward and peered through the dirty windshield. “I just see some people standing around,” he said.

“You’ll see it when we get closer, then.”

There was a hard bump as they went over some rocks, and Mazal gripped the side of his seat tightly.

“So are you the geologist?” the driver asked.

“What?” 

“The geologist. Professor Asala said we’d be getting someone from the geology department down here in a few weeks. You’re just earlier than we expected, is all.”

“No, I’m not a geologist,” Mazal said, a little irritated. “I’m a botanist. An agronomist, by training.”

“What, like you study farms?”

Mazal sighed. “Yes. Something like that.”

“Oh.”

There was a short, awkward silence.

“What are you doing here, then?”

Mazal laughed a short, low laugh. “I don’t know yet. I expect Professor Asala will tell me soon enough.”

It was true. It was a long, long way to come for something that did not, on its surface, appear to have anything to do with botany. Asala was a biologist herself, originally, and sometimes a friend--sometimes a rival--from long ago. But she had taken a turn toward archeology later in her career, and paleontology, and as far as Mazal knew, was happy enough to leave genetics and her impatient, late-night arguments with Mazal far behind. Then, he got a message from her.

The message had arrived when Mazal was in the Deserts with his students, on the ninth day of a genetic surveying trip that was supposed to last four weeks. It said simply: “Come to Bilaik’s Fall at once,” it said. And, “You were right about everything.” That was all. But it was enough for Mazal to call for an airlift to the coast, at considerable expense to himself, and then to arrange a flight south. It could only be about one thing, one argument, the only real argument he had ever had with her, the one that had contained everything she admired about him and that also infuriated her. It was, really, a question of time.

Every year, Mazal had a new crop of incoming students sit down in one of his classrooms, and every year he would stand up in front of them, and project a series of images on the big white screen in the front of the room. Two, or three, or sometimes four plants--roots, stems, leaves, fruit, flowers--side by side. And he would ask his students, what do these have in common?

This year, it had been an eager young man who had responded at once. “They’re all closely related,” he said. “Different versions of the same tree.”

“Correct,” Mazal said. “You wouldn’t know it to look at it, but each of these plants is in fact part of the same species; they’re just ordinary apple trees. Not hybrids, not genetically modified. The apple tree is very widely distributed, and different farmers in different countries have, over time, developed varieties better-suited to the local climate, or to whatever use they intend to put their apple crop. As you might do with any food crop, or any kind of livestock, or even decorative plants like garden flowers.”

“Which one is the original one?” a student sitting a row or two back asked.

Mazal smiled. The question anticipated the next point he wanted to bring up. “The one on the far right,” he said. “Found only in a single valley on the Gaderun coast. It is very nearly extinct. Alas, the wild plant seems to have evolved for cooler, wetter conditions than now prevail in the region; it is only its more specialized offspring that survive, although they flourish in many different regions.”

He brought up a new image.

“Now look at these,” Mazal said. Closeups of the heads of stalks of wheat. He pointed to the one on the left. “This is a large-kerneled grain, with a slightly shiny outer covering. A tetraploid strain--it has double the amount of chromosomes its ancestor had. This one, here, is single-grain, an ordinary diploid species, with hard outer husks. And this one, one of the most commonly cultivated grains in the world, is hexaploid. Rather uniquely, each of its three sets of chromosomes seems to come from a different ancestor; it is a remarkable example of hybridization.

“This class will be about genetics, so let me ask you a genetics-based question: if I asked you how you might go about figuring out which of these was the original species, how would you do it? Obviously, the hybrid is out.”

“So are the polyploids,” the eager student at the front said.

“Yes, so are the polyploids.” He touched another button; a dozen new species appeared on the screen.

“These are a selection of diploid varieties. There are many more. How would you go about sorting them?”

“The most common one?” someone suggested.

“All that means is that it grows well, or that people like the taste. No, that has nothing to do with it. What else?”

“Compare it to wild varieties?”

“You could do that, if you had any wild wheat to compare it with. As it happens, we don’t. Whatever grass wheat originally derives from is now extinct.”

“Then compare them to each other,” a woman in the back said.

“Go on.”

“Find out what genes are common across all of them. Find out what genes are common to one or two or three. Try to group them together. Create a taxonomy.”

“Yes. Yes, that would work quite nicely,” Mazal said. He flipped to the next slide. A tree-shaped diagram. “This, as it happens, is a reconstruction of the taxonomy of diploid species of wheat. There is some fussing about the margins with the details; plants can hybridize, which can create problems for creating clean family trees. Can you think of any other use for a diagram like this?”

Quiet. It went on long enough a couple of students started shifting in their seats.

“Find out… how old they are?” the woman in the back said tentatively.

“How might you do that?”

“Well… developing new varieties of a plant takes time. You would have to, I don’t know, guess how long. Try to judge how many differences in the genome accumulate over how long. I guess it would be easier in wild plants, since people aren’t constantly trying to breed different strains.”

“Indeed. And genetic chronology is used to great effect in the study of non-domesticated organisms as well. It is not a precise method of measurement; sudden environmental change can drive rapid bursts of diversification in nature just as the intentional creation of new breeds of plants or animals can among domesticated species. But rough approximate bounds can be given. It is those that are my particular area of research.”

The next slide was a map of the world.

“As it happens, genetics and cladistics are not the only line of evidence we have to rely on. Geographical distribution can indeed be of some help, as long as we take care to make sure we are comparing more basal varieties rather than less. It was just such a technique that helped an earlier generation of botanist track down the wild apple, deep in Deserts no one had ever settled.

“A conundrum arises with wheat, however, one I think you will all appreciate. We have no wild variety to study, nor even any good candidates. The most basal strains are all rather similar to one another genetically, and it’s not clear which came first, if, indeed, any did. One or two show startling adaptations that we struggle to explain from an evolutionary standpoint: for instance, a species naturally resistant to certain phosphonic-acid-based herbicides which only entered common use about forty years ago. One strain, found only on a small island in the Garral Sea, and which is otherwise genetically unremarkable, glows in the dark. No convincing explanation for this adaptation has been advanced.

“That leaves us only the technique of genetic chronology, to at least attempt to determine when these species diverged.”

“When did they?” another young woman asked.

Mazal smiled a small half-smile. He reached over and switched off the projector, and walked slowly to the podium. He leaned against it for a second, gathering his thoughts.

“This is where I must be honest with you all,” Mazal said. “I have, as you are no doubt aware, a bit of a reputation both in this college and in my field, as someone with rather… unorthodox ideas. My methods are not the problem. My methods are all strictly by the book, and I go only where they take me. Unfortunately, they have, in the past, led me to conclusions others have regarded as absurd or impossible; and where they have concluded that therefore the methods we rely on must in some way be faulty, I have, instead, preferred to ask: what if they are not?”

Mazal folded his arms and looked at his class intently.

“I will, so long as you are taking one of my classes, endeavor to make sure you learn the skills and information necessary to excel in your chosen area of study. I will, without reservation, present to you scientific consensus and refrain from injecting my own heterodox opinion--unless asked. And I shall most certainly highlight that my own conclusions are not shared by the majority. This is not because I do not have faith in them; it is because I would be doing you all a disservice to pretend that my perspective is the only correct one. With that rather elaborate caveat, I will now answer the question I was just asked.

“The orthodox answer is this: we do not know. Genetic chronology methods are uncertain at best, and due to the fact that some easily hybridized species have convoluted genetic histories, and that among plants more horizontal gene transfer is always a possibility than among animals, some families, like that of wheat, cannot have their genetic histories clearly reconstructed from the evidence we currently have available. If you encounter an exam question on this topic in six months, that is the answer you will be expected to give.

“If, however, you use the formulae and the other lines of evidence normally pursued for this kind of reconstruction, you arrive at a rather remarkable conclusion: that wheat was domesticated about five hundred thousand years ago. You will no doubt object that our species did not exist five hundred thousand years ago; nevermind build cities, conduct agriculture, or domesticate crops. To which my response would be, as it has ever been: yes. The only possible answer, then, is that it is not our species that did the domestication.”

The reaction that year was very subdued. Some students were amused by the provocative argument. More than a few were skeptical. No one, of course, took it at face value. Mazal, they all knew, had crazy ideas. Mazal believed in aliens. If Mazal weren’t a well-respected geneticist, with dozens of solid accomplishments under his belt, they’d have shipped him off to the loony bin ages ago; but his crazy was confined, his crazy could be controlled, and set aside when it had to be. He could be trusted to teach the undergraduates, anyway. And that was the compromise Mazal had always made with himself: he would yield. When confronted, he would back down. But it had taken its toll on him over the years. So when Asala had said, “You were right,” what else could he do? He set a course for Idalrea. As fast as he could possibly go.

The car came to a halt in front of a knot of tents, temporary structures, and big earthmoving machines, all the normal signs of intense paleontological activity. Mazal had seen Asala’s travel pictures before; this was nothing new. What was new, was the soldiers. They were doing their best to be unobtrusive, carrying only pistols, hiding their uniforms under dull windbreakers. But they still stuck out. He looked over at his driver. She motioned to Mazal to wait; as soon as they saw the car, two of the soldiers had started walking nonchalantly over to them.

They greeted the woman with a nod, and one of them asked Mazal for his ID in as friendly a tone as he could manage. Mazal took it out.

“You’re Dr. Asala’s friend?” the man said.

Mazal nodded.

“Very good. She told us you were coming. Right this way, sir.”

Mazal followed them through the camp, to the place where the rubble-covered slope met the beach. Between two great boulders there was a deep, dark cleft; the passage of many feet had worn a path leading into it, and the soldiers stopped just outside. One of them took out a radio and spoke into it.

“Dr. Mazal is here. Can someone come out and meet him?”

There was a scratchy, indistinct response that apparently made sense to him; a few minutes later, the graying head of Asala emerged from the crevasse. When she saw Mazal, she smiled.

“You made it,” she said.

“I did,” Mazal replied. “Now, would you kindly explain what I’m doing here?” He eyed the soldiers on either side of him.

“Oh, don’t mind them,” Asala said hurriedly. She waved him forward, toward the crevasse. “I think someone in the government got spooked when we mentioned what we’d found. They’re just here to keep an eye on things.”

“I thought you dug up bones for a living?” Mazal said.

“Yes. And sometimes, I find other things.”

“Has this happened before?”

“Well… no, not exactly. Come on, come on. You’ll be glad you came, I promise.”

Mazal followed Asala tentatively; as they moved underneath the rocks, he realized that the summer sun outside had made it seem darker than it was. Someone had strung some lights along the floor, illuminating the mouth of a large cave. More light shone from inside, and cables snaked out to a generator humming away by the entrance. Asala strode confidently forward, and Mazal followed.

“The whole coast is dotted with caves like these,” she said. “We’re pretty far south, but we’re not so far from the Basseron Islands, the place where our species probably first evolved. So we were here looking for bones, early tools, anything that would tell us more about our place in the tree of life, about what sort of hominids might be our closest ancestors.” Beyond the entrance was a large chamber that seemed to branch off in several directions. Only one was lit up, though, and that was the way Asala went.

“Yes,” Mazal said. “I’ve read that that’s a rather persistent mystery in your field.”

“Quite. One I’ve always been interested in. But the genetics angle bore no fruit, so I had to get my hands dirty.”

“So you’ve said. Why am I here?”

“Because,” Asala said, “I think we’ve finally found something. Not the answer, maybe, but an answer. An important one. And I think it’s one that backs up something you’ve been saying for years.”

“You don’t mean my work on drought-resistant potatoes, do you?” Mazal said dryly.

Asala laughed. “No. I mean the one we used to fight about.”

“What was you said when we were still students? You’d never heard such a stupid idea in your life before?”

“Something along those lines, anyway. I don’t think I was that harsh.”

“You were pretty harsh, as I recall.”

“And you were always so sensitive.”

If he were a younger man, Mazal might have been offended; instead he rolled his eyes.

“Anyway,” Asala said. “We’d been exploring caves along the coast. We found this one six weeks ago, and we were pretty excited. There was some evidence of fire-building near the entrance, something that might have been the remains of cave paintings. We thought we’d do some digging around, to see if we could find any stone tools or animal remains that looked like they’d been butchered. Maybe some bones, if we were lucky. We did find some. Watch your head.”

They ducked through a low passage in the back of the chamber, coming into a small, roughly cylindrical room. It might have been cut by the passage of water, or hewn very patiently by many hands working over many years, but the thing in the middle stopped Mazal short. Dirt from the cave floor had been dug away, and a perfect, rectangular hole revealed beneath it. A hatch.

“The difficult was this,” Asala said. “We carbon-dated the bones. They’re about fifty thousand years old. Definitely some ancient cousins of ours. But they were found in the dirt six inches above that. Which means, that hunk of metal you’re staring at is older than that.”

Mazal wanted to laugh. “And older than any city or any known civilization on the planet.”

Asala nodded. “Unless the historians are really holding out on us.”

Mazal squatted down to peer at the hatch more closely.

“Is this steel?”

“No,” Asala said. “We’re not sure what it is. It looks like metal, but it might not be. We haven’t sampled it yet, but it seems to be some kind of high-strength alloy or advanced metamaterial. I have an engineer acquaintance coming to look at it.”

“So you haven’t opened it?”

“What? Of course we have. There’s a button.”

Asala reached down and pressed something in the dirt; there was a metallic clang, and the hatch swung open. There was more light below; Mazal could see a ladder.

“Come on,” Asala said. “Down you go.”

Mazal began to clamber down rather warily. “You know,” he said as he climbed, “the bones could have been moved. This could be a hundred-year-old bunker from the Polar Wars. Or somebody’s idea of a practical joke.”

“We thought about that,” Asala said, “because we’re not idiots.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean--”

“No, I get it. Don’t worry. You’ve always been cautious, in your own way. You want to exclude all the mundane possibilities. Well, look, nothing in this life is certain. But if it is a hoax, or a secret cult hideout or something, it’s one that’s had every inch of dirt on top of it carefully arranged to look as authentically old as possible. It has had more dirt and bones and even some dessicated ancient plant seeds that corroborate reconstructions of the local climate from tens of thousands of years in the past scattered down the first hundred feet or so of hallway.”

They reached the bottom; Mazal could indeed see that the floor of the corridor here was rather dirty; someone had carefully marked out survey grids all down its length, and a very narrow footpath had been cleared down the middle.

“Watch your step, by the way,” Asala said. “You never know, we might have missed something. This way. So yes, it might be a hoax. A very, very good hoax. One that involves some dedicated conlanging, no less.” She pointed out something on the side of the corridor, barely visible in the rust and the darkness. Definitely letters, letters that Mazal could not read.

“They’re all over the place down here. Other things, too. What might have been books once. Also carbon-dated, by the way.”

There was a feeling in Mazal’s arms and shoulders and chest that he had not felt in a long time. A feeling like electricity, or pure heat. A feeling of ridiculous, childlike excitement. He did his best to ignore it. They continued down the hallway; after only a few dozen meters, the floor became merely rusted, here and there exposing small patches of bare rock. Whatever this place was, most of it was subject to ordinary decay.

“How big is it?” Mazal asked.

“Not sure. Some cave-ins have blocked of some parts. There’s a lower passage that’s flooded. A shaft that was probably an elevator once, but a lot of the ancient machinery is either non-functional or rusted into a single giant lump.”

“Not all of it?”

“Not all of it. To your left.”

They turned, and the corridor began to slope gently downward. Mazal could hear voices ahead; the corridor opened into a large, round room, the size of a lecture theater. Lights had been set up on stands, to illuminate the walls, which were covered in intricate figures and dense markings. People were milling around, taking photographs, making notes. At the far side of the room was a single immense monolith, with a surface that seemed to have been polished to a shine. Mazal inhaled sharply.

“Gods above and below,” he said quietly. “What is all this?”

Asala smiled. “Something intended to last. It’s built out of the same stuff as the hatch.”

Mazal walked over to the wall to get a closer look. The markings were clearly writing of some kind. He had no idea what. He ran his fingers over the surface. They were deeply engraved. Geometrically precise letters. Intended to be read. But by whom?

“Come here,” Asala said. Mazal followed her to a section of the wall that was recessed slightly, with different markings than the rest. She put her hand on one, and pressed; the wall slid slowly to the side, revealing a high, narrow passage behind it. She stepped just inside, and pulled something out, handing it to Mazal.

“Careful,” she said. “It’s very cold.”

She was right; Mazal had to grip it in the ends of his jacket sleeves to hold it. He turned it over in his hand. It was a long, thin metal plate, the length of his forearm and perhaps three fingers wide. On one end, etched into it, was an image of a plant: the head of a stalk of wheat. Beside it, a series of small pictures he didn’t recognize. And in holes, down the length of the plate, small glass vials, deeply set into the metal. Inside them were seeds.

“Seeds of wheat,” Mazal said.

“Not just wheat, if the pictures are anything to go by. Other crops, too. Soy. Rice. Some fruits. And what look like genetic samples from animals. It’s like a library.”

“A library that’s fifty thousand years old?”

“Much older than that, if we’re right. Some of the illustrations on these walls are star charts. Mazal, this place could he hundreds of thousands of years old.”

Mazal leaned against the wall, his mind spinning.

“You probably can’t germinate the seeds after all this time,” he said to himself. “But if they’ve been kept cold enough, dry enough… you could sequence their DNA. You could recover the species. If they’re unknown species. Ancient cultivars. Oh, goodness.”

“Mazal!” Asala said. “Don’t you understand what this means?”

“What?”

“You were right, you idiot! There were people on this planet before… well, before people! Before our kind of people, anyway! They built this place. I don’t know why. Maybe some kind of safeguard against disaster. It didn’t work, if that’s what it was. But you were right!”

Mazal smiled. “Yes, I was, wasn’t I? My wife will be so happy.”

Asala laughed. “You should be gloating right now.”

“I’ll do that later,” Mazal said. “I want to know everything first. Everything you’ve found out.”

“Asala!” someone called from the far end of the room.

“I promise you, Mazal, I will be happy to share. Let me take care of this, and we’ll go up. I can show you the notes and video we’ve taken so far.”

Mazal nodded, still leaning against the wall for support. Asala went to go see what the fuss was about.

After a few minutes, he felt like he could stand again; his limbs still felt weak, like a rush of adrenaline had just worn off, but he couldn’t stay still. He paced back in forth in front of the walls, trying to will some sudden understanding to leap out at him. Finally, he came to the monolith in the middle; he ran his hand over the surface. Smooth and cold, like everything else. He bent down to examine where it met the floor; only the tiniest crack showed. The same near the wall; it seemed to pass back, into whatever lay behind it. He went around to the other side. That was curious; there was a depression there, a little niche he couldn’t see inside of. He looked back over his shoulder; Asala was talking energetically to two young men. He shrugged, and stuck his hand in the hole, feeling around.

The sides were smooth, but the bottom was slightly rough. There was something there, and with his fingertips he could trace out five troughs, radiating from a central depression. Like a handprint. He pressed his hand into the hand-shaped hole, expecting nothing. He nearly fell over with shock when a cool blue light shone from within. He jumped back, and looked up at the monolith.

Nothing happened. Well, that was a relief. He turned and walked quickly over to Asala. She was saying something to her colleagues about work schedules; then when she saw Mazal, she paused.

“Mazal, what’s that? Over your shoulder.”

Mazal turned around. “What’s what?”

“I could swear--is something different with the pillar?”

“The pillar?”

“That’s what we’ve been calling the big metal thing. No idea what it is. I thought for a second it was moving.”

“That’s odd.”

Then there was a noise like an enormous machine stirring to life, and the monolith--the pillar--lurched forward. Mazal yelped; someone dropped something. As they stood there entirely uncertain about what to do, the smooth metal surface opened in a hundred places, unfolding like a flower; inside, surrounded by the same blue glow, was an immense figure.

It was held nearly in the standing position by the cradle it lay in. It was at least twice as tall as Mazal; its body nearly hairless, its limbs long and delicate; but the hair on its head was dark, and shot through with gray like his own, and something in the cast of its features was still recognizable to him. And was it Mazal’s imagination, or was it… breathing? After a moment, everything was still again, and the light faded; and Asala turned to the two men.

“Go get a doctor,” she said. “And find Kolek. Now! Go now!” They scurried off. Mazal and Asala approached the figure slowly; when its eyes opened, they froze. They were brown, and bright; and they looked from Mazal to Asala and back; and then the figure moved--and collapsed, gasping, to the floor. Asala rushed forward to help it stand. It looked up at her and spoke in a deep, rolling voice, words that Mazal could not understand. He approached more cautiously, and laid his hand on the giant’s shoulder.

“Erm… it will be ok. You’re safe,” he said, in what he hoped was a soothing tone. “You are in Idalrea. Underground. But everything is fine. I think.”

The giant spoke again; but all Mazal could do was shrug. It reached up with a hand, and touched him on the back of the neck; Mazal felt a sudden, sharp pain go through his head, and he fell to his knees.

“Mazal! Are you all right?” Asala said.

The pain passed as quickly as it had come; and then the giant spoke to them in their own language.

“Forgive me,” he said. “That is a dangerous technique. But I wanted to tell you--I mean you no harm. You are safe.”

“Funny,” Mazal said. “I was about to say the same. You--you understand us now?”

The giant nodded.

“I am Mazal. This is Asala. Do you know where you are?”

“Yes,” the giant said. “I recognize this place. Though a great deal of time seems to have passed. Tell me, are the glaciers gone? Have the seas swallowed all our cities? Is anyone left besides me?”

Asala looked at Mazal nervously. Mazal felt as though an immense weight of time was suddenly bearing down on him; as though he was staring into the darkness of the deepest sea. You old fool, he thought to himself. Did you ever really think about what it would mean, if we were the second, the inheritors, the after-race? Did you ever think about the ghosts that we left behind?

“You are… perhaps alone. We do not know of any others like you. We did not know of you, until you… appeared before us.”

The giant nodded. “The sarcophagus was not a technology my people had much affection for. My willingness to endure it was considered strange by many. Tell me, how long has it been?”

Asala shifted nervously. “We don’t know,” she said. “We didn’t know this place existed until a few weeks ago. We have only just begun to study it. Perhaps you could tell us what you remember from before?”

The giant nodded. “It was winter. The skies were dark. It was so bitterly cold. We took several days to cross the ice, until we came to land. This continent we called Antarctica. Most of it still covered in ice. A desert, hidden beneath a glacier. We descended until we came to the vault; the others with me, they had some records they wished to add to it, in case our people returned. In case the danger passed, and they could begin to rebuild. I did not have so much faith. I wished to remain behind. So I did. I thought… in truth, I thought I was choosing death. But I was afraid to die; and better, I thought, to lie down with the hope, one day, of resurrection, than simply to throw myself into the sea. I did not really think this day would ever come.”

“Your people built this place?”

“It is one of several. Three in the south, two in the north. A place of records. A place to keep the seeds of life, if we should ever be able to bring back what was lost.”

“The records are intact,” Asala said. “You succeeded.”

Tears formed in the giant’s eyes. “If the records are intact, then we failed.” He shifted to a sitting position, and leaned back against his sarcophagus. “My people never came.”

Mazal did not know what to do; he sat down next to the giant and laid his small, hair-covered hand on the giant’s bare palm.

“What were your people called?”

“We had many tongues. In my own, we were called human.”

“We--in our tongue--we call ourselves the Padirek.”

“Padirek. Yes. I would have known you under another name. How long ago, I wonder.”

“If the glaciers still covered Idalrea,” Asala said, “many hundreds of thousands of years.”

The giant--the human--nodded. “That would make sense.” He sighed. “Even then, I think, we knew that we were doomed.”

“What happened?” Mazal asked.

“Many things. But most of all, the world changed around us. The side effects of our technologies--the exuberance of our collective youth, I suppose--came far more swiftly than we anticipated. By the time we marshaled the determination to confront that change, we could not stop it. Only hope to alleviate the worst of its consequences. The ice was beginning to melt here even then. The glaciers were retreating. They had vanished almost everywhere else; this was one of the last places cold enough to keep the vault, at least for a few hundred years. If the glaciers are gone, then so are the cities of my people.”

“Forgive me, but I thought… I have long speculated, anyway, that there once existed a people on this world with very advances sciences,” Mazal said. “Knowledge of genetics among them. Your people, they must have been. I am surprised that so powerful a people as yours could not adapt.”

“Are you?” the human said. “We tried. Some of us. Some of us preferred to hide away in their arcologies. Others, I heard, sought the stars. We had lost so much by then already. The seas were rising, our farmlands were drying out, so many kinds of bird and beast vanishing around us… many simply preferred to let our people dwindle away. To go quietly.”

“Why would they ever choose that?”

The human smiled. “You did not see the Earth in her younger days, Mazal. You did not see the green plains of Africa, where my people were born. You did not see the shining cities of the east, or the great engines we built to work our will, and you did not see us lose all these things, as the deserts came, and the seas rose, and life became harder, year after year. By the time I lay myself down here, our world had been diminishing for a long, long time. Long before I was born. I suppose… I suppose we all felt like the world had grown old. That our time was done.”

“But… but that can’t be,” Mazal said. “It isn’t. At all. The world is young. The universe is young. There is so much to build, to see, to do…”

The human touched Mazal’s cheek. “You have no idea how much joy it gives me to know that you feel that way. I said I knew your people once. When I was a young man, I visited the colonies on the Antarctic Peninsula. The place that was a refuge for one group of scientists working on their hope for the future. A new hominid. A new kind of mind in the world--one very like us, but, they hoped, perhaps with fewer of our faults, and more of our virtues. None of them expected to see their work bear fruit. Perhaps it never did, while our people still lived. Perhaps it was only thousands of generations later that the work they began bore fruit. Or perhaps it was only nature, and not them, responsible for your birth. But you live! You are here, speaking to me! And you still hope, and you still dream, as we once did. I hope that you do so forever. Ah!”

The human seemed to contort momentarily with pain. After a few seconds the agony passed, and his body slowly relaxed.

“Are you all right?” Asala said. “I sent for a doctor. Perhaps he can help, I don’t know.”

“Perhaps,” the human said. “There is a reason that the others shunned the sarcophagus. I think I was not one of the lucky ones.”

“Don’t worry,” Mazal said. “You’ll be all right. We’ll make sure of it. You have no idea what it means to me, to have wondered for so long if there was another people that was first… and now to meet one of you.”

“What makes you think we were first?”

“Weren’t you?”

“God no. Oh, perhaps we built the first cities. I don’t know. But we weren’t the first users-of-tools. We weren’t the first masters-of-fire. We weren’t the first hunters, or the first speakers-of-words.”

“Who was first?”

“We had cousins. You had cousins. Older kinds of human. The ones of the Neander. The Upright Ones. The Cunning.”

“These are your names for them?”

“Yes. Something like them, anyway. Your tongue… is very different from mine.”

“There is so much we can learn from you,” Asala said. “If you are willing to teach us.”

“I am afraid that will not be possible,” the human said.

“I know your world is gone,” Mazal said. “I know… I know this is a very hard grief for you. I can’t imagine what it’s like, to wake up after all this time and know that everyone you ever loved, everything you ever valued, is so… forgotten. But our people would welcome you, if you wished to live among us. Not just for what you can teach us. Not just for what you represent. We know what loss is like, even if we do not know yours.”

“You are kind, little Padirek,” the human said. “And I would happily share the legacy of my people with one like you, but I am afraid--ah!”

The human cried out this time, louder, and bent over double; when the pain passed, he spoke with ragged breath.

“I am afraid,” he said, “that my time is short. That it was only ever my fate to be a ghost in your world.”

Now Mazal’s eyes began to fill with tears; he took the human’s hand in his, and gripped it tightly.

“Help is coming,” he said. “Very soon. You are not a ghost. You are a man who lives and breathes, who has lost much, but who may yet gain many things. There is no grief above or below the sky so immense, that it precludes joy forever. Not even grief for a whole world. Even if we are the only legacy of your people, your people did not live in vain. I promise you that. I will show you. I will show you what we have done while you have slept. I will show you the great city, which sits above the immense falls, whose streets are filled with rainbows. I will show you the university where I work, where we study the earth and the stars and the secrets of life. I will show you our libraries, our paintings, our poetry. If we are your children, then these are your legacy, too.”

“Don’t cry, Mazal,” the human said. “Not for me. You don’t understand--you don’t know what this means to me. I thought the world would be silent, when we were gone. I thought--ahh! I’m sorry. But it doesn’t matter.” He leaned back, and closed his eyes; his breaths were now short and ragged. Mazal worried he could no longer talk over the pain; but after a moment, he spoke again.

“There may be other testimonies besides this place. Look in the mountains to the south. And on the Moon. And perhaps the planet beyond. More records of who we were--of what we did--than one man. I hope they are still there. I hope you find the answers you are looking for in them.”

“We will seek them out together,” Mazal said quietly.

“Yes,” the human said. He began to breathe more slowly; Mazal reached up and wiped the thin film of sweat from his brow.

It was only a few minutes ents later that they heard voices from further up the corridor; then the sounds of many feet, running their way. But the human was still; and when Mazal released his hand, it fell limply to the floor.