Rankers International’s Japan Market Entry Covered by Leading Japanese Industrial Newspaper

Rankers International, one of India’s leading industrial salt producers, is preparing to enter the Japanese market—a move aligned with rising regional demand and growing recognition of its high-quality, cost-competitive products. This development was recently noted in an industry report published by The Chemical Daily on June 4, 2025. Represented in Japan and other key Asian markets by Singapore-based Pacific Commodities Exchange (PCE), Rankers is actively conducting marketing and product evaluations with major Japanese chemical manufacturers, particularly in the chlor-alkali sector. With positive early-stage feedback indicating quality comparable to Australian salt, the company is targeting commercial adoption by 2026.

Strong Performance in Korea, Now Turning to Japan

Rankers' track record in Korea has been particularly noteworthy. In 2024, the company achieved full-scale supply to several major Korean chlor-alkali producers, contributing to a sharp increase in total shipments from 2.3 million tonnes in 2023 to approximately 3.5 million tonnes in 2024. This momentum is expected to continue, with projected shipments reaching 4 million tonnes in 2025.
With the addition of a new washing facility and an emphasis on supplying high-purity salt grades for caustic soda and chlorine production, Rankers has been preparing for expansion into high-specification markets. The Japanese chemical industry, known for stringent quality standards, represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Successful entry would enhance Rankers’ brand recognition across Asia.

Tailored Solutions for Chlor-Alkali Applications

The chlor-alkali industry requires salt with tight specifications, particularly in terms of purity, calcium/magnesium content, and silica levels. Rankers stands out by offering customization options that align with individual customer process needs—an offering not typically found in the standard industrial salt supply model.
By adjusting salt characteristics at the source based on field data and production parameters, Rankers is able to deliver a more refined and application-ready product. This includes variations in grain size, impurity profiles, and solubility behavior—all of which influence process efficiency, especially in membrane cell electrolysis systems.
Salt is harvested inland in Gujarat and transported using Rankers' own stainless steel truck fleet to minimize contamination. The raw material is then washed and processed near port locations, ensuring that export-grade product meets the most demanding international requirements.

Competitive Advantage: Quality, Cost, and Supply Security

Japan currently sources industrial salt for chlor-alkali production primarily from Australia, Mexico, and India. While Australian salt has traditionally been regarded as a benchmark for quality, Rankers is narrowing this gap with both chemical performance and consistency—at a lower cost.
India's inherent cost advantages in labor, logistics, and infrastructure, combined with Rankers' production from high-concentration brine, reduce overall input costs. These savings are passed on to buyers, making the salt highly competitive in global markets.
Additionally, the company’s logistics setup—including the use of Panamax vessels for bulk export—enables stable, year-round supply. Even during monsoon months, Rankers continues shipping from washed inventories and contract-harvested reserves sourced from trusted small- and mid-scale partners.