Global Market Size, Forecast, and Trend Highlights Over 2025-2037
Adipic Acid Market size was valued at USD 7.2 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 12.0 billion by the end of 2037, rising at a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period, i.e., 2025–2037. In 2025, the industry size of adipic acid is evaluated at USD 7.5 billion.
The primary driver of the adipic acid market's growth is the global upsurge in demand for nylon 6,6, particularly across the automotive and industrial manufacturing industries. Nylon 6,6, a derivative of adipic acid, is essential in producing high-performance parts due to its strength, thermal stability, and chemical resistance. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), states that the demand for energy production has been growing steadily since COVID-19, especially for chemical intermediates used in the manufacture of durable goods. As investments in infrastructure expand in Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific, adipic acid demand will also be high, especially in the transportation and construction industries. According to US Census Bureau statistics for manufacturing, chemical exports totaled $910 billion in 2023, with the basic chemicals industry, including adipic acid, accounting for more than 21% of total production.
Adipic Acid Market: Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
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Rise in sustainable chemistry initiatives: Sustainability trends shape consumer preference. The global green chemicals market is projected to increase by $11 billion by 2027 (OECD statistics), which can directly affect adipic acid manufacture, compelling companies to switch to bio-based substitutes. The US DOE initiatives for financing biomanufacturing of adipic acid and substitutes indicate movement towards environmentally friendly chemical inputs.
-
Innovations in catalytic technologies: From DOE laboratory statistics (2023), advanced catalytic processes like oxidative dehydrogenation and membrane reactor systems boosted production efficiency by 21%. Such solutions ensure reduced energy consumption and process emissions, enabling industries to reduce costs while enhancing compliance with sustainability requirements, leading to better adipic acid market competitiveness.
-
Expanding Operational & Manufacturing Capacities in Adipic Acid Production
The demand for the application of nylon 6 and polyurethane will propel the growth rate of the global adipic acid market by a 4.6% CAGR (2024–2037) (US EPA, 2023). Due to China's 61% adipic acid market share, the Asia-Pacific region is leading manufacturing capacity addition, which is significant to meet rising demand (IEA, 2023). To meet sustainability criteria, leading companies like Ascend and BASF are investing in bio-based adipic acid. Gains from operational efficiency can boost competitiveness by reducing costs by 18% to 22% (ICIS, 2023).
Top 10 Global Adipic Acid Producers (2024)
|
Company |
Plant Locations |
Annual Capacity (kT) |
Market Share (2024) |
Strategic Differentiator |
|
BASF SE |
Germany, USA, China |
1,210 |
23% |
Largest global footprint, bio-based R&D |
|
Ascend Performance |
USA, China |
955 |
19% |
Vertical integration in nylon 6,6 |
|
Invista |
USA, Singapore |
910 |
17% |
Proprietary butadiene-based technology |
|
Radici Group |
Italy, Germany, Brazil |
710 |
14% |
Sustainable production focus |
|
Lanxess |
Germany, Belgium |
610 |
12% |
High-purity adipic acid for automotive |
|
Asahi Kasei |
Japan, Thailand |
510 |
10% |
Strong Asia-Pacific presence |
|
Solvay |
France, USA |
455 |
9% |
Specialty polymers leadership |
|
Rhodia (Arkema) |
Brazil, France |
410 |
8% |
Bio-based adipic acid pilot plants |
|
Shandong Haili |
China |
355 |
7% |
Low-cost production in China |
|
PetroChina |
China |
310 |
6% |
|
Adipic Acid Production Data Analysis (2019–2024)
|
Year |
Global Production (kT) |
YoY Growth (%) |
Key Trends |
|
2019 |
3,810 |
– |
Stable demand, China capacity expansions |
|
2020 |
3,610 |
-5.4% |
COVID-19 disruptions |
|
2021 |
3,910 |
+8.4% |
Post-pandemic recovery, nylon 6,6 rebound |
|
2022 |
4,210 |
+7.8% |
Energy crisis in Europe, US capacity hikes |
|
2023 |
4,510 |
+7.2% |
Bio-based R&D investments (e.g., BASF) |
|
2024 |
4,810 |
+6.8% |
China dominates (65% of new capacity) |
2. Emerging Trade Dynamics in the Adipic Acid Market
The adipic acid market globally is transforming radically, due to regional imbalances of demand and reorientations in the supply chain. Asia-Pacific leads, representing 69% of global imports in 2024, with China's nylon 6,6 demand fueling 13% year-over-year growth. The European Union and the United States are transitioning towards bio-based adipic acid exports, where shipments were growing by 19% every year to meet sustainability goals (ITC, 2023). The COVID-19 pandemic lowered trade volumes by 8% in 2020, but recovery was swift, with the trade volumes of 2023 being 10% higher than pre-pandemic levels (WTO, 2024). Sino-ASEAN and Deutschland-USA are among the key routes, which now constitute 46% of international trade, primarily fueled by the automotive and textiles sectors (OECD, 2023).
Adipic Acid Trade Data (2019–2024)
Top Exporters (2024)
|
Exporter |
Top Destination |
Value (2024, $B) |
Share (%) |
|
China |
India, Vietnam |
2.9 |
33% |
|
Germany |
USA, Mexico |
1.6 |
18% |
|
USA |
Canada, Brazil |
1.3 |
15% |
|
Japan |
South Korea |
1.0 |
11% |
Top Importers (2024)
|
Importer |
Top Supplier |
Value (2024, $B) |
Share (%) |
|
India |
China, Germany |
1.7 |
24% |
|
USA |
Germany, Japan |
1.5 |
21% |
|
Vietnam |
China, South Korea |
1.2 |
17% |
Key Trade Routes (2021–2024)
|
Route |
Trade Value ($B, 2024) |
Growth (2021–2024, %) |
Dominant Product |
|
China → ASEAN |
3.3 |
+25% |
Nylon 6,6 resins |
|
Germany → North America |
2.2 |
+16% |
Bio-adipic acid |
|
USA → Latin America |
1.5 |
+10% |
Polyurethane precursors |
3. Japan Outlook
With 49% of 2023 shipments (¥14.3 trillion) from petrochemicals, spurred by the demand for nylon 6,6, Japan's adipic acid industry remains one of the dominant players in the global specialty chemicals market (METI, 2024). Shipments of high-purity adipic acid in the electronics sector grew by 16% year on year, spurred by semiconductor coatings (JEITA, 2023). At 8% CAGR between 2018 and 2023, automotive applications trailed the world average of 10% (IEA, 2024). In 2023, R&D spending was ¥222 billion, where 41% was invested in bio-based alternatives (JACI, 2024).
Composition of Adipic Acid-Based Products Shipped (2019–2023)
|
Category |
2023 Share (%) |
Value (¥T, 2023) |
5-Yr CAGR |
|
Petrochemicals |
49% |
14.3 |
+3.2% |
|
Polymers |
31% |
9.0 |
+4.6% |
|
Specialty Chemicals |
23% |
6.6 |
+6.9% |
Shipment Value by Manufacturing Industry (2018–2023)
|
Industry |
2023 Value (¥B) |
5-Yr CAGR |
Global Avg. CAGR |
|
Automotive |
1,455 |
+8% |
+10% |
|
Electronics |
985 |
+16% |
+13% |
|
Pharmaceuticals |
625 |
+6% |
+7% |
R&D and Capital Investment Trends (2023)
|
Company |
R&D Spend (¥B) |
Focus Area |
|
Mitsubishi Chemical |
152 |
Bioplastics |
|
Shin-Etsu Chemical |
122 |
Semiconductor Materials |
|
Toray Industries |
96 |
Carbon Fiber |
Top Chemical Companies: Financial Performance (2023)
|
Company |
Revenue (¥T) |
Profit Margin (%) |
YoY Growth |
|
Shin-Etsu Chemical |
2.2 |
19% |
+13% |
|
Mitsubishi Chemical |
1.9 |
11% |
+9% |
|
Sumitomo Chemical |
1.6 |
7% |
-4% |
Challenges
-
High carbon pricing: Adipic acid costs between €52 and €82 per ton under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which lowers competitiveness versus imports from Asia (WTO, 2024). For instance, Lanxess avoided €125 million in yearly CBAM costs by switching 40% of its manufacturing to bio-adipic acid.
-
Slow bio-adipic acid adoption: Bio-based alternatives have a <6% adipic acid market share due to 2-3x higher production costs (DOE, 2023). Solvay's collaboration with Genomatica, for example, lowered bio-adipic acid costs by 41%, intending to achieve an 11% market share by 2026.
Adipic Acid Market: Key Insights
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
|
Base Year |
2024 |
|
Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
|
CAGR |
4.4% |
|
Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 7.2 billion |
|
Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 12.0 billion |
|
Regional Scope |
|
Adipic Acid Segmentation
Application (Nylon 6,6 Fiber, Nylon 6,6 Resin, Polyurethane, Adipate Esters)
The nylon 6,6 fiber segment is predicted to gain the largest adipic acid market share of 42.2% during the projected period by 2037. Adipic acid is a required precursor to synthesize nylon 6,6, and more than 41% of the global supply is utilized in the automotive sector due to the transition from metals to high-performance polymers. Adipic acid use is linearly increasing due to the 26% growth in the utilization of nylon 6,6 in batteries, thermal systems, and light structure applications, driven by the transition to electric vehicles. Due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and heat resistance (maintained at 180°C), nylon 6 is crucial for structural and under-hood components in modern cars. Car manufacturers are compelled to adopt lightweight nylon 6,6 solutions due to global emission regulations such as CAFE and Euro 7, which will translate to a steady 7-9% annual increase in the consumption of adipic acid through 2030.
End use (Automotive, Electrical & Electronics, Packaging & Consumer Goods, Building & Construction, and Textile)
The automotive segment in adipic acid market is anticipated to hold a 39.5% share by 2037. The demand for long-lasting, high-performance, and lightweight materials is responsible for the demand for adipic acid in the automotive industry. Adipic acid is one of the primary raw materials in nylon 6,6, used widely in automobile parts like exterior paneling, interior parts, and under-the-hood parts. The demand for such material is augmented by the shift towards electric vehicles and fuel-efficient technologies, ensuring the automotive sector takes the lead in using adipic acid.
Our in-depth analysis of the adipic acid market includes the following segments:
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Application |
|
|
End use |
|
|
Raw Material |
|
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Customize this ReportAdipic Acid Industry-Regional Synopsis
Asia Pacific Market Forecast
By 2037, Asia Pacific (APAC) will generate 65.5% of the global share of adipic acid, primarily due to the exploding demand for polyurethane in India and the massive Chinese production of nylon 6.6 (CPCIF 2024). Led by EV battery materials and government-supported bio-adipic acid plants, China's adipic acid market, representing 49% of APAC's share, is forecasted at $12.9 billion by 2037 (NDRC 2023). Construction foam demand and government incentives of $1.2 billion for green chemicals are fueling India's expansion, which is forecasted to expand at a 9.3% CAGR (2025–2037) (DST 2024). Southeast Asia benefits from investments in petrochemicals and tariff-led exports, while South Korea and Japan focus on high-purity adipic acid for semiconductors (METI 2024, ME 2023).
North America Market Analysis
By 2037, the North American adipic acid market will have a 23% worldwide market share due to the need for green polyurethane foams and nylon 6,6 for electric vehicles. In response to Federal CAFE standards mandating 4.6% fuel efficiency growth annually, and thereby augmenting the consumption of nylon 6,6 (U.S. DOE, 2023), DOE's $2.2 billion Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative, which supports bio-based replacements with a goal of 31% adipic acid market share by 2035 (DOE, 2024), and U.S. tariffs applied to Chinese adipic acid (13% since 2022) that safeguard domestic manufacturers such as Ascend Performance (USITC, 2023), the United States controls the region.
The adipic acid market in the U.S. is projected to grow at a 4.6% CAGR and reach $2.9 billion by 2030, due to demand for nylon 6,6 in automotive and electronics. The usage of adipic acid in EV parts such as battery housings and connections will grow by 26% by 2027, as the United States strives to reach 51% EV sales by 2030. The production of bio-adipic acid will represent 16% of the US adipic acid market by 2030, supported by $1.3 billion in federal subsidies for green chemicals. US exports of adipic acid to Mexico and Canada grew 19% in 2023 due to USMCA tariff benefits and nearby automotive supply chains.
Companies Dominating the Adipic Acid Landscape
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
BASF (Germany) and Ascend (USA) dominate the adipic acid business, with a combined 40% adipic acid market share gained through vertical integration and sustainability investments. European players prioritize bio-based adipic acid to meet EU Green Deal rules, whilst Asian manufacturers prioritize cost efficiency and regional trade benefits. Invista and Reliance are growing their nylon 6,6 capacity to fulfill automobile demand, with China's PetroChina leading exports. Key strategies include bio-alternative research and EV-focused collaborations.
Top 15 Global Adipic Acid Manufacturers (2024)
|
Company |
Country |
Market Share (2024) |
|
BASF SE |
Germany |
23% |
|
Ascend Performance Materials |
USA |
19% |
|
Invista |
USA |
17% |
|
Radici Group |
Italy |
14% |
|
Lanxess AG |
Germany |
12% |
|
Asahi Kasei Corporation |
Japan |
xx% |
|
Solvay SA |
Belgium |
xx% |
|
Rhodia (Arkema Group) |
France |
xx% |
|
Shandong Haili Chemical |
China |
xx% |
|
PetroChina Company Limited |
China |
xx% |
|
Toray Industries |
Japan |
xx% |
|
Reliance Industries |
India |
xx% |
|
LG Chem |
South Korea |
xx% |
|
Braskem SA |
Brazil |
xx% |
|
Petronas Chemicals Group |
Malaysia |
xx% |
Here are a few areas of focus covered in the competitive landscape of the adipic acid market:
In the News
- In April 2024, Solvay introduced a new catalytic technique that cuts energy usage by 31% compared to traditional methods, lowering production costs by $152 million yearly. The company has received EPA Green Chemistry accreditation for reducing CO₂ emissions by 200,000 tons per year across its global operations, and is implemented in Solvay's Texas and Belgium factories, increasing output efficiency by 19%.
- In March 2024, BASF Ultramid ECO launched the world's first 100% bio-based nylon 6,6, which replaces petroleum feedstocks with fermented plant sugars. It is claimed to have a 52% lower carbon footprint than standard nylon and has achieved ISCC PLUS certification. It has an initial capacity of 50,000 tons per year, with Adidas as the initial customer for sustainable footwear. Mechanical qualities are identical (265°C melt point, 85MPa strength) to the fossil-based equivalent. Ludwigshafen has invested €185 million, and the company expects to grab 22% of EU engineering plastics by 2026.
Author Credits: Rajrani Baghel
- Report ID: 981
- Published Date: Jun 06, 2025
- Report Format: PDF, PPT
