Acrylic Acid Market - Global Forecast 2025-2030

The Acrylic Acid Market size was estimated at USD 13.68 billion in 2024 and expected to reach USD 14.63 billion in 2025, at a CAGR 6.72% to reach USD 20.22 billion by 2030.

Acrylic acid serves as a foundational chemical building block underpinning a myriad of high-performance materials across diverse industries. As a colorless organic compound bearing both an unsaturated double bond and a carboxylic acid functionality, it undergoes polymerization and copolymerization to yield versatile derivatives ranging from superabsorbent polymers to acrylic esters. Its pivotal role in fabricating absorbent hygiene products, where superabsorbent polymers enable unprecedented liquid retention, underscores its critical importance for modern consumer healthcare solutions.

In addition to hygiene applications, acrylic acid derivatives are integral to waterborne coatings and paints, where they impart UV resistance, rapid drying, and robust adhesion to substrates such as metals, wood, and plastics. Beyond coatings, it contributes to the formulation of adhesives, sealants, and specialty polymers, strengthening end-use solutions in construction, automotive, packaging, and personal care. As industries evolve toward higher performance and sustainability standards, acrylic acid’s reactivity and compatibility continue to drive innovation, fostering new value chains and reinforcing its status as a strategic monomer for complex formulations.

Recent years have witnessed seismic shifts in how acrylic acid is produced, with sustainability imperatives accelerating the transition from traditional petrochemical routes to renewable, bio-based pathways. Breakthroughs in microbial fermentation now enable commercial-scale synthesis of bio-acrylic acid from vegetable oil–derived feedstocks such as 3-hydroxypropionic acid, a process pioneered by LG Chem’s prototype plant in early 2025. This development not only reduces carbon footprints but also aligns with evolving environmental regulations and consumer demand for green chemistry.

At the same time, digitalization and advanced analytics are reshaping plant operations, as manufacturers adopt real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and process intensification technologies to boost yields while minimizing energy consumption. Catalytic innovations and process optimizations documented in techno-economic assessments demonstrate how alternative glycerol-based routes can lower CO₂ emissions and enhance feedstock resilience relative to propylene oxidation. Collectively, these transformational trends are redefining cost structures, supply chains, and product portfolios, positioning the acrylic acid industry at the forefront of a larger chemical sector revolution.

In 2025, a series of tariffs announced by the United States government introduced new complexities into acrylic acid supply chains. With a 25% levy on imports from Canada and Mexico and a 10% levy on imports from China effective March 4, 2025, domestic consumers of acrylic acid–based intermediates responded by stockpiling raw materials, as evidenced by heightened order volumes at key suppliers like Lanxess in early 2025. This behavior was driven by concerns over potential inflationary impacts and supply disruptions.

Consequently, coating manufacturers and producers of superabsorbent polymers faced elevated input costs due to tariff-induced import price inflation. Industry bodies such as SOCMA and the American Chemistry Council highlighted logistical uncertainties and supply chain stress resulting from these measures. The ripple effects were particularly pronounced in downstream sectors, where cost pressures prompted renegotiation of contracts and accelerated the pursuit of alternative domestic or bio-based acrylic acid sources to mitigate future tariff exposure.

The acrylic acid market exhibits nuanced behavior when analyzed through the lens of product type. Glacial grade acrylic acid, prized for its high purity and low water content, often supplies esterification processes to produce acrylate monomers with stringent quality requirements. By contrast, technical grade material, with slightly higher moisture tolerances, caters to formulations for coatings and adhesives where downstream reactivity can accommodate minor impurities.

Segmenting by end use underscores the material’s adaptability. Within the automotive sector, acrylic acid derivatives reinforce adhesives used in body panel assembly and provide coatings that resist chemical and weather stress. In construction, they facilitate formulation of flooring materials that balance flexibility and durability, while sealants rely on their capacity to maintain performance under thermal cycling. The packaging industry leverages acrylic polymers in both rigid and flexible formats, with flexible packaging demanding high elongation and barrier properties and rigid counterparts requiring structural integrity. Meanwhile, personal care formulators exploit acrylic acid’s dual role as both emulsifier and thickener, crafting products ranging from lotions to gels that prioritize texture and stability.

When form factors are considered, the liquid form of acrylic acid is delivered as aqueous solutions for immediate polymerization or as concentrates for on-site dilution, balancing logistics efficiency against reactivity control. Conversely, powder variants, including finely milled acrylic acid and granulated grades, support applications that prefer solid feeds-such as dry blends in polymer compounding-allowing precise dosing while minimizing handling risks.

Regional dynamics reveal distinct growth patterns and strategic priorities for acrylic acid suppliers. In the Americas, demand remains robust, driven by the United States’ large hygiene products sector and sustained growth in coatings and adhesives. Investments in domestic production capacity and logistical hubs support sourcing flexibility, while U.S. tariff policies have incentivized companies to explore local and bio-based production alternatives to reduce import dependence and enhance supply chain resilience.

Within Europe, Middle East, and Africa, market participants focus on regulatory compliance and sustainable sourcing, with Europe’s REACH framework catalyzing adoption of certified bio-based acrylic acids. Strategic capacity expansions, such as Arkema’s ISCC+ certified operations in Taixing, underscore the drive toward decarbonization and circularity. Meanwhile, Middle East producers leverage competitive feedstock costs to export conventional acrylic acid, balancing cost leadership against emerging sustainability mandates.

The Asia-Pacific region stands out for the fastest growth trajectory, underpinned by rapid industrialization in China, India, and Southeast Asia. Large-scale projects such as BASF’s Zhanjiang complex fortify local raw material supply chains, reducing lead times and supporting domestic downstream industries like paints, polymers, and hygiene products. In parallel, government incentives for renewable chemistry are spurring bio-based route implementations to meet both environmental goals and the region’s surging consumption.

Industry leaders are actively reshaping the competitive landscape through strategic investments in capacity, sustainability, and technology. BASF’s recent mechanical completion of its glacial acrylic acid and butyl acrylate plants at the Zhanjiang site exemplifies a commitment to meeting Asia-Pacific demand with world-scale capacity and integrated production assets. This investment not only reinforces supply reliability but also achieves cost efficiencies through backward integration.

Arkema has similarly advanced its sustainability credentials by securing ISCC+ certification at its Taixing facility, reflecting a broader trend toward decarbonizing acrylic acid production and satisfying end users’ eco-conscious mandates. LG Chem’s pioneering of bio-acrylic acid from 3-hydroxypropionic acid further diversifies the technology portfolio, introducing renewable feedstocks to the market and repositioning the chemical’s value proposition around environmental stewardship.

Nippon Shokubai sustains its leadership in superabsorbent polymer intermediates through integrated production networks, exemplified by its Indonesia facility expansion supporting directly linked acrylic acid output and SAP manufacturing. Collectively, these company actions illustrate a convergence of scale, sustainability, and downstream integration as pillars of competitive advantage in the acrylic acid sector.

Industry leaders should prioritize diversification of feedstock sources by integrating renewable glycerol- or lignocellulosic-based routes alongside conventional propylene oxidation. Developing hybrid production platforms can reduce exposure to petrochemical price volatility and align with emerging carbon-reduction mandates. It is essential to evaluate techno-economic feasibility continuously, leveraging stage-gate processes to test and scale new bio-based pathways with minimized investment risk.

Strengthening supply chain resilience is equally critical. Establishing regional production hubs reduces lead times and mitigates tariff or geopolitical disruptions. Companies must also deepen collaborations with logistics providers and engage in scenario planning to preempt stockpiling or capacity imbalances. Investing in advanced process control and digital twins will yield predictive insights, enabling real-time optimization of operations and targeted maintenance strategies to safeguard uptime.

Finally, industry participants should intensify partnerships across the value chain-forming alliances with end-use customers and regulatory bodies-to co-develop application-specific formulations. Joint R&D consortia can accelerate catalyst discovery and polymer innovation, unlocking niche growth in high-value segments such as medical-grade polymers or next-generation coatings. This collaborative approach will not only drive incremental revenue but also reinforce brand reputation as an innovation-centric market leader.

This report synthesizes insights derived from a multi-tiered research methodology encompassing both primary and secondary sources. Secondary research involved comprehensive reviews of industry white papers, academic journals, company press releases, regulatory filings, and tariff announcements, supplemented by specialized chemical databases. Primary research included in-depth interviews and surveys with senior executives, technical directors, and procurement managers across the acrylic acid value chain, ensuring diverse perspectives and practical relevance.

Data triangulation was applied rigorously to reconcile quantitative information from trade statistics, production capacity disclosures, and tariff schedules with qualitative insights on technology adoption and market sentiment. Analytical tools such as scenario modelling, SWOT analysis, and Porter’s Five Forces framework were employed to assess competitive dynamics, while financial and environmental KPIs were evaluated through ratio analysis and life cycle assessment summaries. Expert validation panels then reviewed draft findings, providing critical feedback to enhance accuracy and objectivity.

The acrylic acid industry stands at a pivotal juncture, where traditional petrochemical routes coexist with emerging bio-based alternatives, reshaping competitive and regulatory landscapes. Sustainability initiatives, from commercialized bio-acrylic acid to ISCC+ certifications, have demonstrated tangible progress toward reducing carbon footprints while meeting stringent performance benchmarks. Digital transformation and process intensification further bolster operational excellence, ensuring adaptability in a period marked by tariff volatility and evolving end-use demands.

Regional market dynamics underscore the importance of strategic localization, whether catering to rigorous European sustainability regulations, addressing America’s large-scale hygiene and coatings sectors, or capturing Asia-Pacific’s rapid growth through world-scale capacity investments. Leading companies exemplify how integrated production networks, forward-looking partnerships, and technology diversification form the core of resilience and growth. As the industry continues to navigate economic headwinds and complex trade environments, a clear imperative emerges: blend scale with agility, and traditional strengths with innovative solutions to secure future success.

To explore the full breadth of market dynamics, strategic developments, and actionable insights in the acrylic acid landscape, please reach out to Ketan Rohom, Associate Director of Sales & Marketing at 360iResearch. Drawing on extensive industry knowledge and tailored advisory, Ketan will guide you through how this comprehensive report can address your organization’s specific growth objectives and competitive challenges.

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