Acrylic Acid Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Global Acrylic Acid Market is Segmented By Derivative (Acrylic Esters, Acrylic Polymers, Others), By Application (Surface Coatings, Adhesives and sealants, Plastic Additives, Sanitary Products, Textiles, Others), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Report Overview

The Global Acrylic Acid Market size was worth US$ 11.30 billion in 2023 and is estimated to reach US$ 14.72 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.52% during the forecast period (2024-2031). 

Acrylic acid is a white unsaturated carboxylic acid with the chemical formula C3H4O2 made by catalytically oxidizing propylene in two stages. It can be copolymerized with esters and other vinyl monomers and polymerized to generate homopolymers. Acrylic acid is mostly utilized in manufacturing polymers for various plastic items, but it can also make adhesives, sealants and surfactants.

In hygiene products, acrylic acid is utilized as an absorbent. It can also react with alcohols to generate acrylates (esters), widely utilized in polymers. Acrylic polymers (Plexiglas, fabrics, etc.) contain acrylate monomers; however, they are often made from substances other than acrylic acid.

Market Scope

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Market Dynamics

Over the projected period, rising demand for superabsorbent polymers in the personal care industry is likely to fuel growth. Surfactants, surface coatings, adhesives and sealants manufacture are expected to grow in demand, reshaping the business.

Increasing demand for bio-acrylic acid

Bio-acrylic acid was created as a result of increased regulatory pressure on businesses. BASF, Dow Chemicals, Cargill and Novozyme are among the major producers who have invested in producing a bio-based product that is competitive with its conventional counterpart. In May 2015, the acrylic acid market in Europe increased due to outages. Overall demand, however, is likely to remain constant and close to 2014 levels.

OPX Biotechnologies, a bio-based chemicals manufacturer, has devised a low-cost bio-acrylic acid pathway using dextrose and sucrose as raw ingredients. Using the corresponding raw ingredients, the company claims to attain pricing of US$ 1.10 per kg and US$ 0.85 per kg, compared to its conventional counterpart, which was marketed at US$ 1.20 per kg in 2012.

Unique performance features of Acrylic Acid

Variable degrees of durability, hardness, tackiness and glass transition temperatures encourage derivative usage in various end-use applications. In detergents, dispersants, flocculants and thickeners, acrylates are in great demand.

Acrylates give polymers attractive qualities such as clarity, color stability, aging, heat resistance and superior weatherability, resulting in increased product demand in the coatings and adhesives industries. Apart from all the properties, one of the most important properties of acrylate ester is its glass transition temperature, which allows the produced polymer to be softer and more flexible instead of hard and brittle.

The hazardous impact of acrylic acid 

Acrylic acid is a chemical used to make polymers, paint formulas and other items. The workplace is the most common source of exposure. It is a severe irritant to humans' skin, eyes and mucous membranes. If spilled into the eye, the liquid can induce blindness. Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure of rats to acrylic acid has been shown to cause nose and eye irritation, lung bleeding and liver & kidney degeneration. Acrylic acid has not been studied in humans for its reproductive, developmental or carcinogenic effects. Both good and negative results have been reported in animal cancer research. Acrylic acid has not been designated as carcinogenic by the EPA.

Market Segment Analysis

By application, the acrylic acid market is segmented into surface coatings, adhesives & sealants, plastic additives, sanitary products, textiles and others.

The rising demand for Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) in Sanitary Pads

Because they can absorb their weight many times in liquid, superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are ideal for use in sanitary goods and diapers. As a result, they are suitable for water-absorbing applications like newborn diapers, adult incontinence pads, absorbent medical dressings and controlled-release medications. Acrylic acid is used as a starting material for superabsorbent polymers, then combined with sodium hydroxide to generate polyacrylic acid.

Tampons, sanitary napkins, menstruation cups and vaginal health products make up a sizable share of the superabsorbent polymers business. Governments worldwide are conducting initiatives to improve awareness of feminine hygiene among women, particularly in emerging economies, in conjunction with various non-profit organizations (NGOs). As a result, increased sanitary napkin sales are expected to drive the acrylic acid market.

Overall, improving hygiene awareness across all demographic groups is projected to boost the use of superabsorbent polymers (diapers, pads and sanitary napkins), resulting in an increase in acrylic acid consumption during the projection period.

Market Geographical Share

The rising demand for adhesives and coatings in Asia-Pacific

Due to increased demand from nations such as China, India and Japan, Asia-Pacific dominated. China is the world's largest acrylic acid consumer and its demand is likely to increase in the coming years due to several causes. Due to rising investments in the construction and infrastructure sectors, China's demand for adhesives, paints and coatings is also rising.

Moreover, China is one of the world's largest buyers of personal hygiene goods. The country's high demand for personal hygiene goods can be linked to the country's huge newborn population and increasing disposable income, both of which lead to increased personal and hygiene care spending. Owing to this, it is expected to boost market growth.

China is the world's greatest passenger automobile producer, with an expected 20.15 million units produced in 2021. The number of units produced in China far outstripped that of other countries. As a result, the market for acrylic acid, which is used to make vehicle paints and coatings, is expected to grow.

Market Competitive Landscape 

Major global acrylic acid market companies include BASF SE, Arkema SA, Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd., Evonik Industries, The DOW Chemical Company, LG Chem Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corp., PJSC Sibur Holding, Sasol Ltd. and Hexion Inc.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Due to countrywide lockdowns imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, superabsorbent polymers (SAP) producers benefited from a short-term increase in sales as consumers tried to stock up on nappies and other hygiene items. It was especially visible in the European and American markets, where a rush in demand resulted in a temporary system tightening and empty grocery shelves. The situation was alleviated as the supply chain was normalized and purchase habits were restored to a more regular pattern.

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the construction sector has experienced challenges like logistics and a shortage of basic derivative types. As a result, acrylic acid demand has been reduced. Government limitations intended to prevent the virus's effects may result in a shortage of basic derivative types and persons and disrupted supply networks, making meeting contractual obligations more difficult. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed developers to postpone their initiatives. The reasons will limit the growth of the acrylic acid market.

According to the International Finance Corporation, global investments in the water sector are projected to stagnate due to the COVID-19 problem. According to a survey done by Global Water Leaders Group, the outbreak will cut industrial water demand by around 27%. Due to this, the demand for water treatment chemicals is likely to decline in the water sector, putting the acrylic acid industry under pressure.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact

The Russia-Ukrainian war has had a substantial influence on the acrylic acid industry, mostly due to supply chain disruptions and increased geopolitical tension. Gazprom and Sibur, Russia's state-run companies, had been major suppliers of glacial acrylic acid (GAA) and butyl acrylate (BA), with a combined production capacity of approximately 105 ktpa for acrylic acid. Since the invasion, European demand for Russian-origin acrylic items has dropped dramatically due to ethical concerns and the worsening of physical commerce flows between Russia and Europe. This change has resulted in tighter supply circumstances and higher spot prices for BA in countries such as Turkey, which has increasingly served as an intermediary for Russian supplies to Europe.

The violence has also compounded issues for global chemical markets, such as acrylic acid. The war's impact on natural gas prices and crude oil market volatility has increased pressure on producers. Turkish markets have experienced an increase of low-cost Russian PVC, which is now being rerouted to Europe due to sanctions and economic constraints. This scenario captures the war's broader indirect impacts, as businesses and markets adjust to the changing geopolitical landscape and disrupted supply lines.

By Derivatives 

• Acrylic Esters
• Acrylic Polymers
• Others

By Application

• Surface Coatings
• Adhesives & Sealants
• Plastic Additives
• Sanitary Products
• Textiles
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• In January 2024, Arkema stated that it has acquired ISCC+ certification for its acrylic acid and ester production facility in Taixing, Jiangsu Province, China, as part of its efforts to decarbonize the acrylic supply chain.
• In May 2023, NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO. LTD announced that its subsidiary, PT. NIPPON SHOKUBAI, Indonesia, has opened a new acrylic acid factory with an annual production capacity of 100,000 metric tonnes in Cilegon, Banten, Indonesia.
• In March 2023, BASF SE broke ground on an acrylic acid complex at its Zhanjiang Verbund location in China. The complex includes plants that produce glacial acrylic acid (GAA), butyl acrylate (BA) and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA). The complex's yearly production capacity will be around 400,000 metric tons of BA and 100,000 metric tons of 2-EHA.
• In February 2023, NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO. LTD obtained ISCC PLUS accreditation for 19 goods manufactured at its Himeji and Kawasaki plants, including acrylic acid, superabsorbent polymers and ethylene oxide. The accreditation encourages the use of biomass as a raw material for disposable nappies, detergents and other products.
• In June 2023, Adler, an Austrian paint firm, began building on its new service center in Herford, Germany, with an investment of approximately EUR 10 million (US$ 10.86 million). The ceremonial opening and inauguration are slated for early 2025, with construction expected to last until late summer 2024.

Why Purchase the Report?

• Visualize the composition of the acrylic acid market segmentation by derivative, application and region, highlighting the critical commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities in the acrylic acid market by analyzing trends and co-development deals. 
• Excel data sheet with thousands of acrylic acid market-level 4/5 segmentation points.
• Pdf report with the most relevant analysis cogently put together after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study. 
• Product mapping in excel for the key product of all major market players

The global acrylic acid market report would provide access to an approx. 53 market data table, 45 figures and 204 pages. 

Target Audience 2024

• Acrylic Acid Service Providers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Education & Research Institutes
• Emerging Companies
• Acrylic Acid Manufacturers