Acrylic Acid Market

Market Overview

The global acrylic acid market size was valued at USD 14.10 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 20.42 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period (2023–2031). Acrylic acid is primarily used in the production of Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP). The increased demand for SAP has driven the market expansion, which has found extensive use in various fields. Moreover, there is a surge in the utilization of acrylic acid in chemical synthesis, boosting the market expansion.

The organic compound acrylic acid (IUPAC: propenoic acid) has the formula CH2=CHCOOH. The most basic form of unsaturated carboxylic acid in question comprises a vinyl group directly linked to the carboxylic acid terminus. This colorless liquid is distinguished by its pungent or sour odor. Chloroform and water, alcohols, and ethers are all miscible with it. Each year, a total of more than one million kg is produced.

An acrid-smelling oil derived from glycerol, acrolein, was the chemical derivative from which the term "acrylic" was first applied in 1843. Acrylic acid is utilized in numerous industries, including textiles, water treatment, and diapers. The global consumption of acrylic acid is projected to increase due to incorporating this product into novel applications, such as detergents, personal care products, and adult incontinence products.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing Applications of Super Absorbent Polymers

A superabsorbent polymer (SAP) is a water-absorbing polymer that can retain an extremely large amount of a liquid relative to its mass. Water-absorbing polymers, known as hydrogels, absorb aqueous solutions through hydrogen bonding with water molecules. The aqueous solution's ionic concentration determines a SAP's capacity to absorb water. SAPs are used in personal disposable hygiene products like adult diapers, baby diapers, and sanitary napkins.

Acrylic acid is used as a raw material to make SAPs. As per analysis, the market for SAPs is expected to grow at a rate of 6% in terms of volume. The major factors boosting the market are rising hygiene awareness and increasing demand for baby and adult diapers in emerging economies. Acrylic acid-based SAPs dominate the market due to the growing popularity of neutralized salts of acrylic acid, mainly sodium and potassium polyacrylates. Such factors are driving the demand for acrylic acid used for making SAPs.

Increasing Usage in Chemical Synthesis

Acrylic acid is an unsaturated carboxylic acid. It reacts as a vinyl compound and a carboxylic acid. Acrylic acid undergoes polymerization and addition reactions with relative ease. According to standard protocols, it can be used as a carboxylic acid to make acrylamide, acrylyl chloride, N-substituted acrylamides, and acrylic esters. The free acids and ammonium and alkali salts of these compounds have several applications, including those of thickeners, dispersing agents, flocculants, wetting agents, protective colloids for stabilizing emulsions and polymer dispersions, coatings, and textile finishes.

Acrylic acid readily undergoes addition reactions with an extensive range of organic and inorganic compounds. This property makes it a suitable feedstock for producing many low-molecular compounds. For example, acrylic acid can produce propionic acid derivatives with water, alcohol, amines, halogens, and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Acrylic acid can also be utilized with other substances to produce heterocyclic compounds, unsaturated fatty acids, and dies-Alder addition products. The versatility of acrylic acid for chemical reactions is driving the market.

Market Restraint

Health Hazards of Acrylic Acid

Acrylic acid is a flammable liquid. It is a hazardous chemical that should be handled with care. According to animal research, ingestion or inhalation of acrylic acid is detrimental. Swallowing can cause significant gastrointestinal irritation or ulcers and burns in the mouth and throat. Contact with skin can result in skin irritation or burns. Likewise, prolonged exposure to vapor concentrations exceeding certain thresholds has the potential to result in severe harm or fatality.

The ocular exposure to liquid acrylic acid can result in significant ocular irritation, leading to potential ocular injury and the risk of visual impairment, including blindness. Based on the classification provided by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), acrylic acid is assigned a health hazard rating of 3, indicating a moderate level of potential harm to human health. It also has a reactivity rating of 2, suggesting a moderate level of reactivity, and an inflammability rating of 2, indicating a moderate flammability level. Such health hazards caused by acrylic acid are restraining the market studied.

Market Opportunities

Growing Demand for Bio-based Acrylic Derivatives 

Increasing demand for bio-based acrylic acid derivatives is a key growth driver of the acrylic acid market. Bio-based acrylic acid derivatives have been widely used in various commercial and consumer products, including acrylic paints, coatings, etc. There is a technological advancement that allows crude glycerol to be converted into acrylic acid. The transformation results from the oxydehydration process.

In the presence of UV light and a photocatalyst, crude glycerol is converted to acrolein, which, upon dehydration, is oxidized to form acrylic acid. This method eliminates VOC emissions and reduces production constraints such as the scarcity of raw materials and the complexity of production. Due to these advantages, numerous businesses are forming partnerships and adopting modern technologies to produce bio-based acrylic acid and its derivatives. For instance, in August 2019, LG Chem and ADM collaborated on commercializing a bio-based acrylic acid made from corn processing ingredients. Such initiatives will create opportunities for acrylic acid market growth during the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Based on region, the global acrylic acid market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant global acrylic acid market shareholder and is expected to expand significantly during the forecast period. The Asia-Pacific region dominated the market because of the high demand from China, India, and Japan. China is the biggest consumer of acrylic acid in this region, and its demand is projected to increase over the upcoming years. China's demand for adhesives, paints, and coatings is also rising due to rising investments in the construction and infrastructure industries. China's industrialization and manufacturing sector are well-known, and paints and coatings are in high demand. In addition, automotive, industrial, and construction industries, among others, are significant users of paints and coatings in the United States. China accounts for more than 25% of the worldwide coatings market. The China National Coatings Industry Association states that the coatings industry has grown 7 percent annually over the past few years, propelling the acrylic acid market in coatings applications.

North America is expected to grow at a significant rate. Acrylic acid is used in several end-user industries, which are expanding in the region, supporting market growth. According to the American Coatings Association (Coatings Tech), the paints and coatings market in the United States was valued at USD 25.212 billion in 2020. It was anticipated to reach USD 28.062 billion by 2022. This is likely to enhance the demand for acrylic acid from the paints and coatings sector in the country. In addition, the key participants in the region are investing in the manufacturing and expansion facilities of acrylic acid, thereby driving market growth. For instance, in August 2021, Dow announced an investment in methyl acrylate manufacturing on the United States Gulf Coast to increase raw material reliability and access through greater consolidated capacity. According to the plan, methyl acrylate's new 50-kilotons nameplate capacity is expected to go online in the first half of 2022.

The European region is boosted by the presence of key countries like Germany, and the U.K. Germany is among the leading producers of paints and coatings in the European region. It is home to around 300 paints and printing ink manufacturers, with many small- and medium-sized companies. According to the Statistisches Bundesamt, the industry revenue for the manufacture of paints, varnishes, and similar coatings, printing ink, and mastics in the country accounted for USD 12.49 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach around USD 12.94 billion by 2024. Therefore, it is likely to increase the consumption of acrylic acid used in the paints and coatings sector, which is expected to enhance further the demand for the market in the region.

Brazil is the leading revenue contributor in the South American region. In Brazil, acrylic acid produces superabsorbent polymers, adhesives, paints, and coatings. According to ABRAFATI (Brazilian Coatings Manufacturers Association), Brazil is one of the world's top-five paint markets. Hundreds of large, medium-sized, and small manufacturers are spread all over the country. The top ten manufacturers account for 75% of all sales. The country produced 1,623 million liters of paints and coatings in 2020, which increased steadily through 2021 and is expected to rise through 2022. All such developments are expected to drive the market for acrylic acid in Brazil in the forecast period.

Segmental Analysis

The global acrylic acid market is segmented into derivative and applications.

Based on the derivative, the global acrylic acid market is segmented into methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, glacial acrylic acid, and superabsorbent polymer. 

The butyl acrylate segment owns the highest market share. Butyl Acrylate is an acrylate monomer. Butyl acrylate can be produced by reacting n-butanol with acrylic acid at elevated temperatures in the presence of an acid catalyst. It is a transparent, moderately volatile liquid, slightly soluble in water and fully soluble in ethers, alcohols, and virtually all organic solvents. The production of all-acrylic, vinyl-acrylic, and styrene-acrylic copolymers utilizes the most N-butyl acrylate. Butyl acrylate is a "soft monomer" to enhance low-temperature properties and tensile strength. Primarily, it produces homopolymers and copolymers for industrial and architectural water-based paints. It can also be utilized in cleaning products, enamels, adhesives, antioxidant agents, textiles, caulks, and paper finishes. The primary end-user markets of this product include water, plastics, leathers, paints, adhesives, and textile industries. The double bond reactivity also allows this product to be used as a chemical intermediary.

Methyl acrylate, alternatively known as acrylic acid methyl ester or methyl 2-propenoate, is classified as an ester derived from acrylic acid. It is a colorless, transparent liquid with an unpleasant odor. It is only marginally soluble in water but completely in alcohols, esters, and other organic solvents. Methyl acrylate is a chemical that can be employed across various industries as it readily reacts with various organic and inorganic compounds. Therefore, it is a very useful chemical intermediate in various production processes. In addition, methyl acrylate provides properties like good water resistance, low-temperature flexibility, and sunlight resistance to products, making it suitable for various end-user industries. As a comonomer, methyl acrylate produces polyacrylonitrile fiber and organic glass. It is used as a comonomer in synthesizing acrylic dispersions used in adhesives, binders, and impregnating compositions in leather, printing, varnish, paper, pulp and paper, and other industries.

Based on application, the acrylic acid market is segmented into paints and coatings, sanitary products, adhesives and sealants, surfactants, textiles, and other applications. 

The paints and coatings segment is the biggest revenue contributor to the market. Acrylic acid is increasingly used to produce acrylate esters, which are utilized in numerous applications, such as paints and coatings. Acrylics are utilized in architectural coatings, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and refinishing finishes, and special-purpose coatings. It provides greater resistance to blistering and cracking, is extremely waterproof, and can last decades without yellowing when exposed to UV light. It often delivers enhanced dirt pick-up resistance, superior gloss, and excellent color retention, all while providing long-lasting wood protection against the effects of weathering damage. Acrylic resins are also used in industrial paints, either water-borne emulsion or solvent-borne paints. Solvent-borne industrial paints have a tough protective finish and are widely used as topcoats, for example, on car bodies.

Acrylic adhesives are derived from acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or other related compounds. Acrylic adhesives have moderate costs and are good adhesives to many substrates like glass, metals, paper, textiles, metallic foils, and plastics. Copolymers of acrylic acid are used as base polymers for adhesives and sealants and as modifiers for plastics and rubbers. Adhesives based on acrylic are extremely durable and have excellent clarity and color stability. In addition, acrylics adhere effectively to polar surfaces, such as metal, glass, polyesters, and polycarbonates, and have a high peel, tack, and shear strength. In construction and other end-user industries, the use of acrylic acid and its derivatives, like methacrylate, as adhesives is expanding due to their superior stability, strength, and resistance. As a result, the adhesives and sealants market is anticipated to play a significant role in propelling demand for acrylic acid and its derivatives.

Recent Developments

• November 2022- Arkema proclaimed a significant advancement in its innovative, sustainable offering by certifying a range of bio-attributed acrylic monomers using the mass balance* methodology. These monomers allow Arkema to offer certified bio-attributed specialty acrylic additives and resins for an extensive spectrum of applications.
• March 2023- BASF began constructing a new production complex at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China. The complex will include facilities for glacial acrylic acid (GAA), butyl acrylate (BA), and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA).