Acrylic Acid Market Size & Opportunities Analysis - Growth Strategies, Competitiveness, and Forecasts (2025 - 2032)

Acrylic Acid Market Growth Factors

Sustainability Is Key Trend in Market

As environmental regulations tighten globally and consumer awareness about ecological impacts rises, producers are compelled to innovate in both feedstock sourcing and processing technologies. This has led to a pronounced shift toward bio-based acrylic acid production, leveraging renewable resources and green chemistry principles to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower overall carbon emissions. As per studies, worldwide sales of bio-acrylic acid could be worth more than USD 1,275.7 million by 2030.

Bio-based acrylic acid is increasingly produced from biomass-derived materials, such as sugars, lignocellulosic feedstock, and crude glycerol. These renewable feedstocks not only alleviate pressure on petroleum resources but also support the circular economy model and reduce waste. Key advances include the use of fermentation processes, which are both energy-efficient and capable of generating high yields under milder operating conditions compared to conventional petrochemical pathways.

Pioneering large chemical companies, including BASF, Dow, and Mitsubishi Chemical, are aggressively investing in scale-up and commercialization of bio-acrylic acid production technology. Their efforts focus on integrating bio-refining techniques and continuous process improvements, such as catalyst innovation, to make production more technically and economically viable. BASF, for instance, is developing methods to supply bio-acrylic acid for high-demand applications like superabsorbent polymers, adhesives, and coatings—markets that traditionally rely heavily on petroleum-based feedstock.

Green chemistry principles play a central role in the development of these new acrylic acid technologies. Key attributes include high atom economy, minimal hazardous waste, safer solvents, energy efficiency, and the use of catalytic routes for chemical reactions. Routes using biobased starting materials like furfural have demonstrated both energy and material efficiency, with high overall yields and minimal byproduct formation. Such sophisticated processes offer compelling evidence that sustainable chemistry can underpin large-scale monomer manufacturing.

Regulatory support, in the form of incentives for renewable chemicals and penalties for fossil-based emissions, continues to bolster the development and adoption of sustainable acrylic acid technologies. Additionally, strategic alliances among companies and public-private partnerships are accelerating research and market entry for green acrylic acid solutions.

Rising Need for Acrylate Esters Is Key Driver for Market Growth

Acrylic acid is a main component in the production of acrylate esters, which have extensive use in the paints & coatings industry. It is a versatile monomer that can be polymerized to complex molecular arrangements. Acrylate esters derived from acrylic acid function as an essential ingredient in a great variety of coatings, including architectural coatings, OEM finishes for automobiles and other products, and special-purpose coatings. As per studies, the global automotive paint & coating market will value USD 32.2 billion by 2030, while the overall paint & coating market size will reach USD 255.3 billion by 2032.

Moreover, acrylates are widely used because of their multipurpose applications and wide-ranging utility across various industries. These are also clear and volatile liquids and have a double-bond and functional carboxyl group. One of the essential characteristics of acrylic esters is glass transition temperature, which allows the polymer to be more flexible and softer rather than hard and brittle. They are moderately soluble in water and completely soluble in alcohols, ethers, and other organic solvents.

Due to the growing demand for acrylic acid and its derivatives like methacrylic esters and methyl methacrylate, manufacturers have been involved in collaborations with other players to increase their production. Acrylates are also used in adhesives and sealants, as they provide excellent resistance to environmental forces, fast setting, and acrylate–acrylate crosslinking with materials, owing to their high solubility, low viscosity, low refractive index, and high surface tension. Global sales of adhesives & sealants will reach USD 114.9 billion by 2032, reports predict.

Acrylates are also used in various textile applications, such as non-woven, stiff interlining, back coating, wadding, and stiffening products. Research says that USD 13.0 billion worth of textile finishing chemicals will be sold worldwide in 2032

Improper Waste Disposal of Acrylic Acid End Products is the Key Market Restrain

Improper waste disposal of acrylic acid end products represents a significant market restraint due to the environmental and health risks associated with the chemical's residues and byproducts. Acrylic acid production generates waste streams including waste oil, wastewater, and waste gas, containing impurities and secondary reaction products that require careful treatment. If these wastes are not adequately managed, they can pollute water bodies and soil, disrupt aquatic ecosystems, and pose toxic hazards to living organisms. The challenge lies not only in effectively treating and disposing of these wastes but also in ensuring compliance with increasingly strict environmental regulations.

The chemical nature of acrylic acid waste complicates disposal efforts. Waste oils from production processes often exhibit high viscosity and the tendency to polymerize or form deposits, which can clog combustion or treatment equipment during waste incineration. Wastewaters may contain high levels of chemical oxygen demand (COD), requiring advanced treatment such as wet oxidation or activated sludge processes before release or reuse. These technical challenges demand significant investment in specialized disposal technologies and operational controls that increase costs for manufacturers. Failure to implement proper disposal measures can lead to regulatory fines, operational shutdowns, and damage to corporate reputation.

Acrylic Acid Market Segmentation Analysis

Derivative Analysis

Based on derivative, the superabsorbent polymer (SAP) category accounts for the largest market share, of 40%. This is because of its properties, such as being suitable for water-absorbing applications including adult incontinence pads, baby diapers, controlled released drugs, and absorbent medical dressings. Moreover, these polymers are prepared by using raw materials such as acrylic acid and sodium hydroxide to form polyacrylic acid. Also, glacial acrylic acid is a major feedstock material used in the manufacturing of SAP. In addition, acrylic acid manufacturers are involved in the manufacturing of downstream products, such as acrylate esters and glacial acrylic acid.

The 2-ethylhexyl acrylate category is expected to witness significant growth in the coming years. This can be because it is used to produce fast swelling and highly porous superabsorbent hydrogels, as it is a flexible liquid. It is widely used for the production of high-quantity inks and paints, which are mostly used in the construction, paints and coatings, and automotive industries. Another application is the production of UV-cured coatings. These coatings are cured or hardened by exposing them to UV light and are then used in the printing and packaging industry.

Derivatives covered include:

• Methyl Acrylate
• Butyl Acrylate
• Ethyl Acrylate
• 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate (Fastest-Growing Category)
• Superabsorbent Polymer (Largest Category)

End User Analysis

The paint & coating industry held the largest market share, of 35%, in 2024, and it will have the highest CAGR, of 3.4%, during the forecast period. This dominance is due to the wide use of acrylic acid to enhance paints and coatings formulations. Polymers based on acrylic acid have substituted conventionally used materials in the sector. For example, ethylene acrylic elastomer is an acrylic acid-based elastomer that is used as an alternative to synthetic rubber.

Moreover, acrylic acid esters used in paints and coatings exhibit durability, excellent adhesion, and weather resistance, which make them a desired choice for the consumer goods and automotive industries. The capability of acrylic acid esters to instruct gloss, corrosion protection, and color retention, coupled with their compatibility with a wide range of other chemicals, drives their adoption in surface coatings, solidifying their prominence in the acrylic acid market's landscape. In addition, in the paints and coatings industry, ethyl acrylate and methyl acrylate are mostly used for the production of solvent-based and water-based paints and coatings.

Governments and private entities collectively spend over USD 11 trillion per year on construction, making up around 13% of global GDP. Infrastructure expenditures—primarily driven by public funding—are expected to account for USD 3.7 trillion annually by 2040. In 2023, China’s total construction spending—including output value and announced government infrastructure commitments—amounted to roughly USD 4.4 trillion, with an additional USD 1.8 trillion allocated through provincial government project plans.

In India, in FY 2024–25, construction delivered a real gross value added (GVA) of INR 15.72 lakh crore and nominal GVA of INR 26.27 lakh crore. Further, over the last five years, infrastructure investment—including public and private contributions—totaled around USD 800 billion. The U.S. saw public and private construction spending of around USD 2.15 trillion in 2024, covering both projects. Meanwhile, in the European Union, total construction investment in 2023 hit approximately EUR 1.683 trillion.

End users covered include:

• Paints and Coatings (Largest and Fastest-Growing Category)
• Adhesives and Sealants
• Textiles
• Water Treatment
• Plastic Additives
• Surfactants

Acrylic Acid Market Regional Outlook

Asia-Pacific Acrylic Acid Market Share

Globally, APAC is the largest as well as the fastest-growing market, with a 2024 share of 50% and CAGR of 3.7%, respectively during the forecast period. This is due to the economic growth and the surging demand for consumer goods in regional countries like China, India, and Japan. Also, South Asian countries, such as Indonesia, Taiwan, and South Korea, are witnessing high economic growth.

Moreover, other drivers behind the surging demand for acrylic acid in the region include the growing population; the rising industrialization and urbanization; a large number of application areas of coatings, adhesives, and superabsorbent polymers, such as personal care and agriculture; and the surging use of water-based paints and coatings due to environmental standards concerning volatile organic compounds (VOC) reduction.

In China, due to its strict VOC regulations, there has been a shift from solvent-based coatings to environment-friendly water-based coatings containing acrylic acid, which offer comparable performance while significantly reducing VOC emissions and aligning with China’s environmental goals and regulations.

North America Acrylic Acid Market Share

Geographically, the second-largest market for acrylic acid is North America, as it consists of developed economies like the U.S. and Canada and it is one of the key regions for the automotive industry, which generates a high demand for acrylic acid-based adhesives and coatings used in vehicle assembly and repair. Moreover, the U.S. is a major market for glacial acrylic acid, high growth in the geriatric population in the region, the presence of key players, and significant growth in end-use sectors are expected to drive the market growth in North America.

These regions and countries are covered:

• North America
  • U.S. (Larger Country Market)
  • Canada (Faster-Growing Country Market)
• Europe
  • Germany (Largest Country Market)
  • U.K. (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific (Largest and Fastest-Growing Regional Market)
  • China (Largest Country Market)
  • Japan
  • India (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America (LATAM)
  • Brazil (Largest Country Market)
  • Mexico (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • Rest of LATAM
• Middle East & Africa (MEA)
  • Saudi Arabia (Largest Country Market)
  • U.A.E. (Fastest-Growing Country Market)
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA

Acrylic Acid Market Share

The acrylic acid market is generally characterized as consolidated, with a few large players dominating the global industry. Key companies such as BASF SE, Arkema S.A., The Dow Chemical Company, Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd., LG Chem Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Sasol Limited, and Evonik Industries AG hold substantial market shares and have extensive manufacturing capacities. These major players benefit from economies of scale, integrated supply chains, and advanced technological capabilities that enable high production efficiency and strong market control.

While the large enterprises lead the market, there is also notable growth among small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially in niche segments or regional markets. SMEs tend to be more flexible and innovative, sometimes targeting specialized applications or leveraging government support for local production. However, the growth rate of SMEs is generally faster than that of large companies, reflecting expanding demand and diversification in geographic regions, especially in Asia-Pacific. Despite this, the overall market remains largely driven by consolidated big players due to high capital requirements and technical complexities of acrylic acid production.

Acrylic Acid Market News

• In July 2025, BASF SE announced the successful completion of the initial batch of plants within the acrylics complex at the Zhanjiang Verbund site, which includes the glacial acrylic acid (GAA) and butyl acrylate (BA) facilities.
• In March 2025, Arkema SA launched a EUR 130-million industrial initiative, referred to as the Carat Project, aimed at establishing a new unit for the purification of acrylic acid at its Carling plant in France. This project is expected to enhance energy efficiency by 25% and achieve a 20% decrease in carbon intensity for its operations.
• In August 2024, BASF SE commenced the production of bio-based ethyl acrylate. This product contains a 14C-traceable bio content of 40% in accordance with DIN EN 16640 and boasts a low Product Carbon Footprint (PCF1). The bio-based ethyl acrylate from BASF assists customers globally in achieving their sustainability objectives, offering a PCF reduction of approximately 30% compared to fossil-based ethyl acrylate.
• In May 2023, Nippon Shokubai officially opened a new acrylic acid plant in Indonesia, with a total investment in the project amounting to approximately 200 million US dollars.