Acrylic Acid Market Size, Share Global Analysis Report, 2026-2034

Industry Insights

[239+ Pages Report] According to Facts & Factors, the global Acrylic Acid market size was estimated at USD 19.5 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 32.8 billion by the end of 2034. The Acrylic Acid industry is anticipated to grow by a CAGR of 6.0% between 2026 and 2034. The Acrylic Acid Market is driven by robust demand for superabsorbent polymers in hygiene products and growing consumption of acrylic esters in coatings, adhesives, and construction chemicals.

Market Overview

The Acrylic Acid market covers the production, distribution, and consumption of a highly reactive carboxylic acid monomer primarily manufactured by the catalytic oxidation of propylene. It serves as a key building block for a wide range of derivatives, including glacial acrylic acid and various acrylic esters (methyl, ethyl, butyl, 2-ethylhexyl). These derivatives are essential raw materials for superabsorbent polymers used in diapers and hygiene products, water-based coatings and paints, adhesives and sealants, textiles, detergents, and water-treatment chemicals. The market is characterized by its strong linkage to downstream consumer and industrial applications that require high purity, consistent quality, and cost-effective supply chains.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Acrylic Acid market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 6.0% over the forecast period (2026-2034).
• In terms of revenue, the Acrylic Acid market size was valued at around USD 19.5 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 32.8 billion by 2034.
• The Acrylic Acid Market is driven by rising demand for superabsorbent polymers and acrylic-based coatings.
• Based on the Type, the Glacial Acrylic Acid segment dominated the market in 2025 with a share of 62% due to its direct use as a raw material for superabsorbent polymers and high-purity ester production.
• Based on the Application, the Superabsorbent Polymers segment dominated the market in 2025 with a share of 48% owing to massive global consumption in baby diapers, adult incontinence, and feminine hygiene products.
• Based on the End-User, the Personal Care & Hygiene segment dominated the market in 2025 with a share of 51% because of sustained population growth and increasing hygiene awareness in emerging economies.
• Asia Pacific dominated the global Acrylic Acid market in 2025 with a share of 52%, attributed to large-scale manufacturing capacity, rapid growth in hygiene and construction sectors, and cost-competitive feedstock availability in China and India.

Growth Drivers

• Hygiene and Personal Care Demand

Rising global population, improving living standards in emerging markets, and greater awareness of hygiene have driven consistent double-digit growth in superabsorbent polymer consumption, the largest end-use for acrylic acid.

Increasing construction activity and infrastructure development have boosted demand for water-based coatings, adhesives, and sealants that rely heavily on acrylic acid esters.

Restraints

• Volatile Propylene Feedstock Prices

Acrylic acid production is highly dependent on propylene derived from crude oil and natural gas; sharp fluctuations in feedstock costs directly squeeze manufacturer margins and create pricing uncertainty for downstream buyers.

Stringent environmental regulations on volatile organic compounds and wastewater treatment have increased compliance and operational costs for producers.

Opportunities

• Bio-Based Acrylic Acid Development

Growing consumer and regulatory pressure for sustainable materials has accelerated R&D and early commercialization of bio-based acrylic acid from renewable feedstocks such as glycerol and sugars, opening premium green-chemistry segments.

Expansion of electric vehicle coatings, 5G infrastructure adhesives, and water-treatment chemicals in developing regions offers new high-growth application avenues.

Challenges

• Overcapacity and Intense Price Competition

Periodic capacity additions, particularly in Asia, have led to oversupply situations that depress prices and reduce profitability for producers worldwide.

Safety and handling challenges associated with the highly corrosive and reactive nature of acrylic acid require specialized storage, transportation, and trained personnel, raising operational complexity.

Report Scope

Market Segmentation

The Acrylic Acid market is segmented by type, application, end-user, and region.

Based on Type Segment, the Acrylic Acid market is divided into glacial acrylic acid and acrylic acid esters. The most dominant segment is Glacial Acrylic Acid, followed by Acrylic Acid Esters. Glacial Acrylic Acid dominates because it serves as the primary high-purity feedstock for superabsorbent polymers (the single largest application) and for downstream ester production, offering manufacturers the flexibility to sell directly or convert into higher-value derivatives, thereby driving the largest volume and revenue share while enabling vertical integration that strengthens supply chain control and market growth.

Based on Application Segment, the Acrylic Acid market is divided into superabsorbent polymers, acrylic esters, detergents & cleaners, coatings & adhesives, textiles, and others. The most dominant segment is Superabsorbent Polymers, followed by Coatings & Adhesives. Superabsorbent Polymers lead the segment due to their irreplaceable role in hygiene products, where acrylic acid-derived SAP provides unmatched liquid absorption capacity, generating the highest and most stable demand volume that supports continuous capacity expansions and technological improvements in polymer performance.

Based on End-User Segment, the Acrylic Acid market is divided into personal care & hygiene, construction, automotive, textiles & apparel, water treatment, and others. The most dominant segment is Personal Care & Hygiene, followed by Construction. Personal Care & Hygiene dominates because the global hygiene industry consumes the largest share of acrylic acid through superabsorbent polymers in diapers, adult incontinence, and feminine care products, creating a steady, high-volume offtake that underpins production planning and encourages investment in capacity and process efficiency across the value chain.

Recent Developments

• In March 2025, BASF announced the successful start-up of its new world-scale acrylic acid plant in Zhanjiang, China, adding 300 ktpa capacity to serve growing Asian hygiene and coatings markets.
• In June 2025, Arkema launched a new bio-based acrylic acid pilot line using glycerol feedstock, targeting sustainable superabsorbent polymers for premium hygiene applications.
• In September 2025, Dow Inc. expanded its acrylic ester portfolio with low-VOC grades for architectural coatings, securing multi-year contracts with major paint manufacturers in North America and Europe.
• In November 2025, Nippon Shokubai commissioned a new high-purity glacial acrylic acid line in Japan to meet rising demand from medical and electronics adhesives.
• In February 2026, LG Chem signed a long-term supply agreement with a leading European diaper manufacturer for bio-attributed acrylic acid.

Regional Analysis

• Asia Pacific to dominate the global market

Asia Pacific leads the Acrylic Acid market through its position as the global manufacturing powerhouse for hygiene products, coatings, and construction chemicals, supported by massive population-driven demand, rapid urbanization, and cost-competitive production infrastructure. The region benefits from integrated propylene-acrylic acid value chains, government support for chemical industry growth, and strong export orientation. China and India together account for the majority of new capacity additions and consumption. China dominates within Asia Pacific with the world’s largest acrylic acid production base, dominant share of global superabsorbent polymer and coatings output, vertically integrated refineries, and aggressive capacity expansions that serve both domestic mega-demand and international markets.

North America maintains a significantly high-value position in the Acrylic Acid market, supported by advanced coatings and adhesives technology, a strong personal care industry, and a focus on sustainable and low-VOC formulations. The region leads in innovation and premium product development. The United States dominates within North America through its large coatings, hygiene, and specialty chemical markets, presence of major global producers, and leadership in bio-based and high-performance acrylic derivatives.

Europe exhibits steady and regulation-driven growth in the Acrylic Acid market, fueled by strict environmental standards, demand for sustainable coatings and hygiene products, and strong automotive and construction sectors. The region leads in low-VOC and bio-based acrylic technologies. Germany dominates within Europe owing to its advanced chemical industry, central role in automotive coatings and adhesives, and leadership in developing next-generation sustainable acrylic acid derivatives.

Latin America is experiencing an accelerating uptake in the Acrylic Acid market, driven by rising hygiene awareness, construction boom, and growth in paints and coatings. Brazil dominates the region with its large population, expanding personal care and construction industries, and increasing local manufacturing investments.

The Middle East & Africa region shows promising development in the Acrylic Acid market, supported by growing construction activity, personal care consumption, and investments in downstream chemical industries. Saudi Arabia dominates within the region through its Vision 2030 chemical diversification program, large refinery-integrated acrylic acid projects, and role as an emerging exporter to Africa and Asia.

Competitive Analysis

The global Acrylic Acid market is dominated by players:

• BASF SE
• Dow Inc.
• Arkema S.A.
• Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
• LG Chem Ltd.
• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
• Formosa Plastics Corporation
• Shanghai Huayi Acrylic Acid Co., Ltd.
• Sasol Limited
• Evonik Industries AG

The global Acrylic Acid market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Glacial Acrylic Acid
• Acrylic Acid Esters

By Application

• Superabsorbent Polymers
• Acrylic Esters
• Detergents & Cleaners
• Coatings & Adhesives
• Textiles
• Others

By End-User

• Personal Care & Hygiene
• Construction
• Automotive
• Textiles & Apparel
• Water Treatment
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • Kuwait
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America