N-Vinylformamide Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Purity Type (5–99.0%, 99.0+%), By Application (Water treatment, Paper industry, Petroleum recovery, Adhesives, Others), By Sales Channel (Direct channel, Indirect channel) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Market Overview

The global n-vinylformamide market was valued at USD 325.59 million in 2018 and is expected to reach a value of USD 584.15 million, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% over the projected period, 2019–2030.

N-vinylformamide is a water-soluble polymer and the simplest member of the n-vinylformide family. It is a colorless liquid that dissolves in most popular solvents such as ethanol, methanol, and chloroform. It is also a precursor to amine and amide functional polymers and other oligomers, monomers, and functional polymers. The compound exhibits attractive toxicological and physical properties and high reactivity in polymerization, reactive amine functional polymers or oligomers, and subsequent hydrolysis to cationic.

Applications of water-soluble polymers such as n-vinylformamide in turbulent drag reduction have been well studied over the last few years. On account of its high molecular weight and structural similarity to polyacrylamide, poly n-vinylformamide (PNVF) has emerged as a potential drag reducing agent. Researchers have claimed that the efficiency of these drag-reducing agents has closely been associated with the flow conditions, rheology, and physical or chemical characteristics of polymers. With constant advancements in the methods for synthesis and purification of hydrophilic cationic n-vinyl formamide monomer, water-soluble poly n-vinylformamide and its copolymers have been adopted in biomedical as well as industrial applications. Furthermore, PNVF has emerged as a substitute for acrylamide polymers in various industrial applications such as papermaking, water treatment, rheology modifying, coatings, and oil fields.

The growing need for wastewater treatment is driving the consumption of n-vinylformamide. Industrial water consumption accounts for 22% of global water use. Currently, approximately 80% of all wastewater is discharged into the world’s waterways, where it generates health, environmental, and climate-related hazards. Urbanization has further aggravated this challenge with increasing wastewater generation and at the same time, using more of Earth's deteriorating resources. Recuperating the water, energy, nutrients, and other precious minerals embedded in wastewater is a key opportunity to be seized. Globally, about one-third of treated wastewater is used for agricultural irrigation and 20% for the irrigation of landscapes such as golf courses and lawns. N-vinylformamide, being a drag-reducing agent, is likely to have a significant role in terms of water treatment campaigns implemented around the globe, which will impact the growth of the market positively.

Other factors fueling the growth of the n-vinylformamide market include rising demand for n-vinylformamide from the pulp and paper industry, paints and coatings industry, adhesives industry, and petroleum products’ recovery, among others. Despite graphic paper being squeezed by digitization, the paper and forest products industry has been rising over the years. It is slated to have major changes in store and exciting growth prospects in the years to come. Additionally, the component being synthetic water-soluble polymer has applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food, which further boosts the market growth.

Market Dynamics

Regional Analysis

The North America n-vinylformamide market occupied the paramount position in terms of revenue with USD 127.66 million in 2018. It is expected to record a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period, 2019–2028. N-vinylformamide is highly preferred in water treatment, paper, paint and coating, and adhesive industries, among others. The ongoing trade war between the U.S. and China has negatively affected the North America chemical industry to some extent as the U.S. mostly relies on chemicals imported from China.

Europe was the third-largest n-vinylformamide market in 2018 and is expected to retain its position in years to come. This can be attributed to the surging consumption of high-purity grade n-vinylformamide in various industries such as paper, water treatment, and paint and coating. Europe is home to the world’s largest cosmetics and personal care market, which was valued at USD 79 billion in 2018.

Asia-Pacific leads the global n-vinylformamide market in terms of consumption and the trend is expected to continue throughout the forecast period, 2019–2027. The compound has been experiencing significant demand in developing countries such as India, China, and Thailand. The demand for environment-friendly products and packaging has increased in the region, which will positively impact the paper making industry and indirectly contribute to market growth.

The Latin America and the Middle East and Africa n-vinylformamide market is projected to grow steadily during the assessment period, owing to low technological advancement and industry penetration.

Segmental Analysis

98.5–99.0% Segment Accounts for More Than Half the Market Share by Purity

Based on purity, the n-vinylformamide market is segmented into 98.5–99.0% and 99.0+%. The 98.5–99.0% segment accounted for a higher share of about 55.96% in 2018 and is likely to grow with a CAGR of 5.8%.

The thermal decomposition method is employed to eliminate alcohol from crude n-vinylformamide to obtain more than 70% purity. The compound is then used in different applications such as water treatment as a flocculant. The 99.0+% purity type segment is expected to grow at a faster pace over the forecast period. Crude n-vinylformamide contains various other substances such as acetone and formamide and is treated in a fractionating tower to obtain the purity n-vinylformamide. High purity n-vinylformamide is highly reactive and can cause thermal decomposition reactions in the tower, choking the distillation tower and hampering yield. Thus, crude n-vinylformamide is preferred in the thin-film evaporator for the separation of substances. Thin-film evaporator, under certain conditions such as maintaining optimum pressure, temperature, and residence time, helps increase the recovery of the solution containing n-vinylformamide by about 80–95% as an evaporated fraction. Besides, it is popular in the papermaking industry as a polymeric flocculant for its cost and machine efficiencies. It also improves the appearance and performance of printed paper and board.

Water Treatment Segment Slated to Grow With the Highest CAGR of 6.4%

Based on the application, the n-vinylformamide market is segmented into water treatment, paper industry, petroleum recovery, adhesives, and others. The others segment covers applications such as paints and coatings, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food, among others. The market has witnessed a significant surge in the consumption of n-vinylformamide for the last few years. On account of n-vinylformamide’s low toxicity, high water solubility, natural inertness to Ph, low dosage requirement, and ease in use, it is preferred in the treatment of water and industrial effluents. The water treatment segment holds a notable share of the n-vinylformamide market and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 6.4% over the assessment period. Wastewater treatment involves the separation of flocculated and coagulated suspended solids from the wastewater. So far, significant advancements have been made in wastewater treatment technologies and processes. For instance, a newly developed meat processing chemical treatment method can remove tissue, blood, fat, and other solids substances from food processing wastewater. The segment is predicted to be followed by petroleum recovery and papermaking industry.  N-vinylformamide is widely used as a retention aid in alkaline papermaking to increase the efficiency of the production process. The demand for n-vinylformamide based products is growing, owing to its low cost and eco-friendly nature. Rising demand for recycled fibers, owing to environmental necessity and economic development, coupled with n-vinylformamide’s easy availability and less refinement, will encourage market growth in years to come. N-vinylformamide with high molecular weight is hydrolyzed to increase viscosity in order to enhance oil and gas recovery, which also supplements the growth of the n-vinylformamide market.

Indirect Sales Channel Accounts for a Majority of the Trade

On the basis of sales channel, the n-vinylformamide market is segmented into direct channel and indirect channel. The direct channel segment is expected to reach a volume of 948.05 metric tons by 2028, with a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. The indirect segment accounted for 64.90% of the total market share since this channel accounts for most of the trade in the market.

Impact of covid-19

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the imposition of strict lockdown in most countries, causing delays in the import and export of gelatin-based plasma expanders. COVID-19 has the potential to impact the global economy in three ways, i.e., directly affecting production and demand, causing supply chain and market disruption, and facing a financial impact on businesses and financial markets.

Recent Developments