Who dominates global potassium permanganate supply and how does it affect pricing?

Who dominates global potassium permanganate supply and how does it affect pricing?
China's Chongqing Changyuan Chemical is the undisputed global leader in potassium permanganate, with annual output around 40,000 tonnes, capturing roughly 90% of the domestic market and 55% of the global market. Total world production is about 70,000 tonnes, with Changyuan at 40,000, US-based Carus at 15,000, and all others combined at just 15,000 tonnes. Changyuan's edge comes from its proprietary pneumatic fluidized tower process, which is more efficient, lower cost, and less polluting than the liquid-phase oxidation method used by Carus. This technology leadership gives Changyuan both international standard-setting power and near-absolute pricing control. In 2016, its net profit margin reached 11%, the highest in the global industry. Buyers should expect limited supply alternatives and price influence concentrated in one producer.