Acrolein Market Trends and Forecast
The future of the global acrolein market looks promising with opportunities in the polymer, paint & coating, industrial, and agriculture markets. The global acrolein market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6.2% from 2025 to 2031. The major drivers for this market are the increasing demand for acrolein in pesticides, the rising use in water treatment chemicals, and the growing applications in acrylic acid production.
• Lucintel forecasts that, within the production method category, oxidation of propylene is expected to witness higher growth over the forecast period.
• Within the end use category, agriculture is expected to witness the highest growth.
• In terms of region, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.
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Emerging Trends in the Acrolein Market
The acrolein market is undergoing a significant transformation, with emerging trends that are fundamentally reshaping its landscape. These trends are a direct response to a growing global focus on sustainability, technological innovation, and a diversification of end-use applications, moving the market into new, high-growth sectors beyond its traditional uses.
• Shift to Bio-based Acrolein: A key trend is the development of bio-based acrolein production from renewable resources like glycerol. This is a direct response to environmental concerns and the need to reduce reliance on volatile petroleum feedstocks. This shift is attracting significant investment and is poised to create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly market.
• Growing Use in Biocides: The market is seeing a sustained trend of increased demand for acrolein as a biocide in water treatment and agricultural applications. It is used to control algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms in industrial water systems and irrigation canals, making it a crucial component for ensuring water quality and crop health.
• Expansion in Methionine Production: A significant emerging trend is the growing demand for acrolein in the production of methionine, a key amino acid for animal nutrition. The rising global demand for meat and poultry products is driving this trend, as methionine is an essential additive in animal feed, creating a high-volume growth opportunity.
• Technological Advancements in Production: There is a clear trend toward developing new, more efficient, and environmentally friendly production processes for acrolein. Innovations in catalytic oxidation and other synthesis methods are reducing energy consumption and hazardous byproducts, making acrolein production more cost-effective and sustainable.
• Focus on High-Purity Grades: The market is trending toward the use of high-purity acrolein in specialized applications. Industries like pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals require extremely pure compounds to ensure product safety and performance. This trend is creating a premium segment in the market with higher profit margins.
These trends are reshaping the acrolein market by fostering innovation, diversifying its application base, and pushing the industry toward a more sustainable future. By developing more effective, environmentally friendly, and application-specific products, manufacturers are ensuring that acrolein remains a vital component in a wide range of industries.
Recent Development in the Acrolein Market
Recent developments in the acrolein market are focused on scaling up production and refining technologies to meet evolving market demands and regulatory pressures. These developments are directly influencing investment patterns, business strategies, and the global supply chain.
• Increased Production Capacity: A key development is the expansion of manufacturing capabilities by major players, particularly in China and other Asian countries. New production facilities are being commissioned to meet the surging demand for acrolein from the agrochemical and chemical intermediate sectors, helping to ensure a stable supply.
• Focus on Glycerol-based Production: A significant development is the increased focus on glycerol-based acrolein production. This is a strategic move to leverage the surplus glycerol from biodiesel production, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional propylene-based methods, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Strategic Mergers and Acquisitions: The market is witnessing strategic mergers and acquisitions as companies aim to consolidate market share and expand their global footprint. These moves are helping businesses to integrate their supply chains, leverage economies of scale, and gain access to new technologies and end-use markets.
• Regulatory Shifts in China: In China, a major development is the governments push for stricter environmental regulations. This is forcing manufacturers to upgrade their production facilities to reduce emissions and improve efficiency, reshaping the countrys market and favoring larger, more compliant producers.
• Technological Innovation: There is a notable development in the adoption of advanced synthesis and purification technologies. These innovations are leading to the production of higher-purity acrolein with improved consistency, making production more efficient and environmentally friendly.
These developments are collectively impacting the acrolein market by creating a more competitive, efficient, and technologically advanced industry. They are enabling manufacturers to meet the complex demands of modern applications and are positioning the market for continued growth and innovation in the future.
Strategic Growth Opportunities in the Acrolein Market
Strategic growth opportunities in the acrolein market are concentrated in key applications that are experiencing rapid expansion and a demand for high-performance chemical additives. By focusing on these opportunities, market players can achieve significant revenue growth and strengthen their market position.
• Methionine for Animal Nutrition: The animal nutrition sector presents a major growth opportunity. Acrolein is a key intermediate in the synthesis of methionine, an essential amino acid for animal feed. The rising global demand for meat and poultry is driving a consistent need for high-quality animal feed additives.
• Agricultural Formulations: The agricultural sector offers a significant growth opportunity. Acrolein is used as a vital component in the production of herbicides and other agrochemicals. Its use as a biocide in irrigation canals and for weed control is a key driver for this application, particularly in regions with large agricultural sectors.
• Water Treatment Biocides: The water treatment market provides a robust growth opportunity. Acrolein is an effective biocide used to control microbial growth in industrial water systems, cooling towers, and wastewater treatment. Stricter regulations on water quality and industrial hygiene are fueling this demand.
• Specialty Chemicals and Polymers: The specialty chemicals and polymer market is a high-value growth opportunity. Acrolein is used as a building block for a wide range of products, including high-performance polymers, resins, and adhesives. Its versatile properties make it an essential intermediate for creating advanced materials.
• Pharmaceutical Applications: The pharmaceutical industry presents a niche but high-value growth opportunity. Acrolein is used as a chemical intermediate in the synthesis of various pharmaceutical compounds. This is a specialized application that requires high-purity acrolein and is driven by ongoing research and development in the healthcare sector.
These opportunities are impacting the acrolein market by diversifying its application base and fostering a shift toward high-value, high-growth sectors. By providing solutions that improve the performance of a wide range of products, the acrolein market is demonstrating its vital role in modern industry.
Acrolein Market Driver and Challenges
The acrolein market is influenced by a dynamic interplay of technological, economic, and regulatory factors. The major drivers stem from its essential role in key end-use industries and the growth of emerging markets, while key challenges include its toxic nature and stringent environmental regulations.
The factors responsible for driving the acrolein market include:
1. Increasing Demand for Methionine: The rising global demand for meat and poultry products is a primary driver. As acrolein is a key intermediate in the production of methionine for animal feed, the growth of the livestock sector directly correlates with the demand for acrolein.
2. Expansion of Agrochemicals: The global growth of the agricultural sector is a major driver. Acrolein is used in the production of herbicides and as a biocide for weed control. The need to increase crop yields to feed a growing population ensures a steady and increasing demand for these products.
3. Rapid Industrialization: Industrialization in developing regions is a significant driver, leading to increased demand for acrolein in a wide range of applications, including water treatment, chemical manufacturing, and polymers. This industrial growth ensures a long-term, stable market.
4. Growth of Water Treatment Industry: The increasing focus on water quality and resource management is a key driver. Acroleins effectiveness as a biocide for controlling microbial growth in industrial water systems and cooling towers is driving its adoption, especially with more stringent environmental regulations.
5. Technological Advancements: Ongoing research and development are a major driver. Innovations in production technology are leading to more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable methods for synthesizing acrolein. These advancements are helping to overcome production challenges and expand the market.
Challenges in the acrolein market are:
1. Toxicity and Health Concerns: A significant challenge is the highly toxic nature of acrolein. Its production and handling are subject to strict health and safety regulations, increasing compliance costs for manufacturers. This toxicity also raises concerns for end-users and can limit its use in certain applications.
2. Stringent Environmental Regulations: The market faces hurdles from strict environmental regulations on emissions and waste disposal. Acrolein production can be an environmentally intensive process, and the need to comply with increasingly stringent rules requires significant investment in pollution control technology.
3. Volatile Raw Material Prices: The market is challenged by the volatility of raw material prices, particularly for propylene and glycerol. Fluctuations in these costs directly impact production costs and profit margins, making it difficult for manufacturers to maintain stable pricing strategies.
The overall impact of these drivers and challenges is a market in a state of continuous adaptation. While the strong demand from key industries is pushing for growth, the market must navigate challenges related to its inherent toxicity and the need for more sustainable production. The ability to innovate and respond to these pressures will be critical for future success.
List of Acrolein Companies
Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. With these strategies acrolein companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. Some of the acrolein companies profiled in this report include-
• Evonik Industries
• Arkema
• Daicel
• Akzo Nobel
• The Dow Chemical Company
• Shanghai Huachen Energy Company
• The Shell Oil Company
Acrolein Market by Segment
The study includes a forecast for the global acrolein market by production method, application, end use, and region.
Acrolein Market by Production Method [Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Oxidation of Propylene
• Oxidation of Glycerol
Acrolein Market by Application [Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Acrylic Acid Production
• Herbicides Production
• Glues & Resins
• Specialty Chemicals
• Pesticide
Acrolein Market by End Use [Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• Polymer
• Paints & Coatings
• Industrial
• Agriculture
Acrolein Market by Region [Value from 2019 to 2031]:
• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• The Rest of the World
Country Wise Outlook for the Acrolein Market
The acrolein market is experiencing a period of cautious growth, driven by its critical role as a chemical intermediate in a wide array of industries, including agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and specialty chemicals. Recent developments are shaped by a complex interplay of increasing demand from end-use sectors, stricter environmental regulations, and a growing focus on sustainable production methods.
• United States: The U.S. market is a key player, with stable demand from the chemical and agricultural sectors. The focus is on high-purity acrolein for specialized applications, such as in the production of herbicides and pharmaceuticals. Recent developments include investments in new technologies to improve production efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
• China: Chinas market is the global leader in both production and consumption, primarily due to its massive chemical and agricultural industries. The country is a major consumer of acrolein for producing methionine, a key animal feed additive. Recent developments include government-led initiatives to address pollution and promote more sustainable production practices.
• Germany: As a major European chemical hub, Germanys market is characterized by a strong emphasis on high-quality and sustainable production. The demand for acrolein is steady, with a focus on its use in specialty chemicals and high-tech applications. German companies are leaders in developing new, eco-friendly processes for acrolein synthesis.
• India: Indias market is a high-growth region, fueled by rapid expansion in its agriculture and chemical industries. The demand for acrolein as an intermediate for pesticides and other chemicals is rising. Recent developments include increased domestic production and a growing interest in new applications, such as in water treatment and pharmaceuticals.
• Japan: Japans market is mature and technology-driven, with a focus on high-purity acrolein for niche applications. The demand is steady, with a strong emphasis on its use in specialized chemicals and advanced materials. Japanese companies are innovating to create new, high-performance derivatives of acrolein that meet stringent quality and safety standards.
Features of the Global Acrolein Market
Market Size Estimates: Acrolein market size estimation in terms of value ($B).
Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends (2019 to 2024) and forecast (2025 to 2031) by various segments and regions.
Segmentation Analysis: Acrolein market size by production method, application, end use, and region in terms of value ($B).
Regional Analysis: Acrolein market breakdown by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.
Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different production methods, applications, end uses, and regions for the acrolein market.
Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of the acrolein market.
Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.
FAQ
Q1. What is the growth forecast for acrolein market?
Answer: The global acrolein market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6.2% from 2025 to 2031.
Q2. What are the major drivers influencing the growth of the acrolein market?
Answer: The major drivers for this market are the increasing demand for acrolein in pesticides, the rising use in water treatment chemicals, and the growing applications in acrylic acid production.
Q3. What are the major segments for acrolein market?
Answer: The future of the acrolein market looks promising with opportunities in the polymer, paint & coating, industrial, and agriculture markets.
Q4. Who are the key acrolein market companies?
Answer: Some of the key acrolein companies are as follows:
• Evonik Industries
• Arkema
• Daicel
• Akzo Nobel
• The Dow Chemical Company
• Shanghai Huachen Energy Company
• The Shell Oil Company
Q5. Which acrolein market segment will be the largest in future?
Answer: Lucintel forecasts that, within the production method category, oxidation of propylene is expected to witness higher growth over the forecast period.
Q6. In acrolein market, which region is expected to be the largest in next 5 years?
Answer: In terms of region, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.
Q7. Do we receive customization in this report?
Answer: Yes, Lucintel provides 10% customization without any additional cost.
This report answers following 11 key questions:
Q.1. What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the acrolein market by production method (oxidation of propylene and oxidation of glycerol), application (acrylic acid production, herbicides production, glues & resins, specialty chemicals, and pesticide), end use (polymer, paints & coatings, industrial, and agriculture), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)?
Q.2. Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.3. Which region will grow at a faster pace and why?
Q.4. What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the key challenges and business risks in this market?
Q.5. What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?
Q.6. What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?
Q.7. What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?
Q.8. What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?
Q.9. Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are key players pursuing for business growth?
Q.10. What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by material or product substitution?
Q.11. What M&A activity has occurred in the last 5 years and what has its impact been on the industry?
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