Global Industry Analysts, Inc. has produced a new $4,950 report on the global iodine industry including market trends, issues and drivers. Among the drivers is the need for iodine (in the form of potassium iodate or potassium iodide) to iodize salt to combat IDD. The report declares iodine deficiency "a major threat."

The company's PRWEB release notes:

"Iodine finds versatile applications spanning almost every industry from medicine and nutrition to electronics and water disinfection. The global iodine market is currently witnessing steady growth that is expected to continue in the coming years. Growing world population accompanied by a higher number of aging individuals and increasing demand from end-use applications, both existing and new, represent key growth drivers. Among conventional applications, x-ray contrast media, animal feed and pharmaceuticals are expected to drive iodine consumption. Usage in optical polarizing films, digital imaging, agricultural fungicides and biocides, among others, comprise the newer end-use applications fueling demand for Iodine."

The news release headline highlights "Iodine Deficiency in Developing Countries Drives the Global Iodine Market" despite the fact that many of the other noted uses are much larger consumers of the world's iodine supply.

The iodine market had been in decline since 2009, but ticked upwards in 2012 as plant expansions in Chile overcame the losses caused by the 2011 tsunami in Japan which provides about a third of the global capacity.