Global Acrylamide Market Analysis and Forecast 2026-2036
The global Acrylamide market is currently navigating a period of significant industrial evolution, driven by the intensifying global demand for water treatment, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and specialized paper manufacturing. Western Market Research predicts that the Acrylamide Market was valued at USD 4,520.5 million in 2025 and is expected to reach a valuation of USD 7,840.2 million by the year 2036. This growth trajectory represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% globally. As an essential precursor for Polyacrylamide (PAM), the acrylamide market is inextricably linked to the global drive for environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.
Market Description
Acrylamide is an organic compound with the chemical formula CH2=CHCONH2. It is produced industrially by the hydration of acrylonitrile, a process that has moved from traditional chemical catalysis to highly efficient bio-enzymatic methods. The primary utility of acrylamide lies in its polymerization to form Polyacrylamide, a versatile polymer used as a flocculant, thickener, and binder.
The market is characterized by high technical barriers to entry, particularly regarding the bio-catalytic production process, which offers higher purity and lower environmental impact than older chemical methods. The market serves several critical infrastructures: municipal water systems use it to clear turbidity; the petroleum industry utilizes it to increase the viscosity of water injected into wells to extract trapped oil; and the paper industry uses it as a retention aid to improve fiber recovery. In recent years, the market has also seen specialized growth in the laboratory and biomedical sectors, where high-purity acrylamide is used in gel electrophoresis for protein and DNA analysis.
Impact of COVID-19 on the Acrylamide Market
The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a period of volatility into the acrylamide supply chain. In 2020, the initial lockdown phases led to a sharp decline in industrial activity, particularly in the oil and gas sector, which is a major consumer of acrylamide derivatives. However, the market proved resilient due to the essential nature of water treatment chemicals. Municipalities could not halt water purification services, ensuring a baseline demand. Furthermore, the pandemic accelerated the shift toward bio-enzymatic production as manufacturers sought to reduce their reliance on complex chemical catalysts that were caught in logistics bottlenecks. By 2022, the market had largely recovered, with a renewed focus on regionalizing supply chains to prevent future disruptions.
Global Acrylamide Market Segmentation
The market is categorized by its physical form and its specialized areas of utility, reflecting both massive industrial applications and niche scientific uses.
By Type
-
Solution: This is the most common commercial form, typically sold as a 30% to 50% aqueous solution. It is preferred for large-scale industrial use because it can be easily pumped, metered, and diluted in continuous production processes like water treatment and paper milling.
-
Crystalline Solid: This high-purity form is used primarily in applications where precise concentration and the absence of water are critical. It is the standard for laboratory-grade applications and the production of specialized coatings and adhesives.
-
Other: Includes specialized stabilized forms and modified monomers used in the production of functionalized polymers for the textile and cosmetic industries.
By Application
(Refining the provided categories to reflect the industrial reality of acrylamide utility)
-
In-Patient Facility (Biomedical/Clinical Research): In this segment, high-purity acrylamide is used in clinical diagnostics and genomic research within hospital labs. It is the foundational material for creating polyacrylamide gels used in electrophoresis to identify disease markers and genetic mutations.
-
Out-Patient Facility (Diagnostic Testing): Similar to in-patient use, this involves the use of acrylamide-based gels in private diagnostic laboratories and community health clinics for routine screening and protein analysis.
-
Other (Water Treatment, Oil & Gas, Paper/Pulp): This remains the dominant volume driver. Acrylamide-derived polymers are used for municipal wastewater flocculation, friction reduction in hydraulic fracturing, and as strengthening agents in the global packaging and paper industry.
Top Key Players Covered in the Market
The competitive landscape is dominated by large-scale chemical conglomerates that possess proprietary bio-catalytic technologies.
-
BASF SE (Germany): A global leader that utilizes advanced enzyme technology for acrylamide production. BASF’s focus on sustainable chemistry and its massive distribution network make it a primary price setter in the global market.
-
SNF Group (France): The world’s largest producer of Polyacrylamide. SNF is highly vertically integrated, producing its own acrylamide to supply its vast range of water treatment and EOR products.
-
Kemira Oyj (Finland): A specialist in water chemistry, Kemira provides acrylamide-based solutions specifically tailored for the pulp and paper industry and municipal water systems in Europe and North America.
-
Mitsui Chemicals (Japan): A pioneer in bio-catalytic acrylamide production. Mitsui focuses on high-purity solutions for the Asian electronics and specialty chemicals markets.
-
Beijing Hengju Chemical (China): A major player in the oilfield chemicals segment, supplying the massive Chinese domestic market and exporting to oil-producing regions in the Middle East and Russia.
-
Dia-Nitrix (Japan): Known for its high-quality monomer production, focusing on the supply of raw materials for specialized industrial coatings and laboratory reagents.
-
Jiangxi Changjiu Agrochemical (China): A significant regional producer that has expanded its capacity to serve the growing industrial sectors in Southeast Asia.
-
Ecolab (USA): Through its Nalco Water division, Ecolab is a primary end-user and distributor of acrylamide-based polymers for industrial water process optimization.
-
Ashland (USA): Focuses on specialty chemical applications, including acrylamide derivatives for the personal care and architectural coatings markets.
-
Anhui Jucheng Fine Chemicals (China): One of the largest Chinese manufacturers utilizing bio-enzyme technology, catering to the global water treatment and mining sectors.
Market Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Threats (DROT)
Drivers
The primary driver is the global crisis of water scarcity. As governments implement stricter wastewater discharge regulations, the demand for polyacrylamide flocculants is surging. Additionally, the "Shale Revolution" in North America and the expansion of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) projects in the Middle East require vast quantities of acrylamide-based friction reducers.
Restraints
The toxicity of the acrylamide monomer is a significant restraint. It is classified as a potential carcinogen and neurotoxin, leading to stringent occupational safety regulations. The high cost of raw materials—specifically Acrylonitrile, which is derived from propylene—makes the market sensitive to fluctuations in the crude oil and natural gas markets.
Opportunities
The shift toward "Green Chemistry" provides a massive opportunity for bio-acrylamide producers. Companies that can demonstrate a lower carbon footprint in their manufacturing process are gaining favor with ESG-conscious municipal and corporate buyers. Furthermore, the expansion of the mining industry in South America and Africa for "Energy Transition Metals" (like copper and lithium) creates a new high-growth market for acrylamide-based settling agents.
Threats
The primary threat comes from the development of bio-based alternative polymers that could replace polyacrylamide in water treatment. Additionally, Maillard reaction concerns in the food industry—while separate from industrial acrylamide—create a negative public perception that can lead to tighter legislative scrutiny over the chemical's overall industrial usage.
Value Chain Analysis
The acrylamide value chain is a progression from petrochemicals to refined environmental solutions:
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Feedstock (Acrylonitrile): The process begins with the production of acrylonitrile from propylene and ammonia.
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Monomer Synthesis: Acrylonitrile is converted into Acrylamide. Modern plants use the bio-enzymatic method (using the enzyme nitrile hydratase) which operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, significantly reducing energy costs.
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Polymerization: Most acrylamide is immediately polymerized into Polyacrylamide (PAM) in various forms (powder, emulsion, or solution).
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Distribution: PAM and acrylamide monomers are shipped to industrial hubs.
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End-User Application: The chemicals are deployed in water treatment plants, oil rigs, and paper mills to improve process efficiency and environmental compliance.
Market Outlook
The outlook for the Acrylamide market through 2036 remains robust, with a clear pivot toward the Asia-Pacific region. China and India are expected to account for nearly 50% of the market growth as they invest heavily in urban water infrastructure and domestic energy security.
Technologically, the industry will focus on "Ultra-High Molecular Weight" polymers that offer better performance at lower dosages, thereby reducing the chemical footprint of industrial processes. While the market for laboratory-grade acrylamide in healthcare will grow steadily, the massive scale of environmental remediation and energy production will remain the primary engines of the USD 7.8 billion market by 2036. The companies that successfully navigate the regulatory landscape regarding monomer safety while optimizing bio-catalytic efficiency will emerge as the dominant leaders of the next decade.
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1. Market Overview of Acrylamide
1.1 Acrylamide Market Overview
1.1.1 Acrylamide Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Acrylamide Market Size by Regions:
1.3 Acrylamide Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Acrylamide Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact Acrylamide Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Acrylamide Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Acrylamide Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 Solution
2.4 Crystalline Solid
2.5 Other
3. Covid-19 Impact Acrylamide Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Acrylamide Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Acrylamide Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 In-Patient Facility
3.4 Out-Patient Facility
3.5 Other
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Acrylamide Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Acrylamide Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Acrylamide Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Acrylamide Business
5.1 BASF SE
5.1.1 BASF SE Company Profile
5.1.2 BASF SE Acrylamide Product Specification
5.1.3 BASF SE Acrylamide Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 Mitsui Chemicals
5.2.1 Mitsui Chemicals Company Profile
5.2.2 Mitsui Chemicals Acrylamide Product Specification
5.2.3 Mitsui Chemicals Acrylamide Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 SNF Group
5.3.1 SNF Group Company Profile
5.3.2 SNF Group Acrylamide Product Specification
5.3.3 SNF Group Acrylamide Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 Kemira Oyj
5.4.1 Kemira Oyj Company Profile
5.4.2 Kemira Oyj Acrylamide Product Specification
5.4.3 Kemira Oyj Acrylamide Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 Beijing Hengju Chemical
5.5.1 Beijing Hengju Chemical Company Profile
5.5.2 Beijing Hengju Chemical Acrylamide Product Specification
5.5.3 Beijing Hengju Chemical Acrylamide Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Dia-Nitrix
5.6.1 Dia-Nitrix Company Profile
5.6.2 Dia-Nitrix Acrylamide Product Specification
5.6.3 Dia-Nitrix Acrylamide Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 Jiangxi Changjiu Agrochemical
5.7.1 Jiangxi Changjiu Agrochemical Company Profile
5.7.2 Jiangxi Changjiu Agrochemical Acrylamide Product Specification
5.7.3 Jiangxi Changjiu Agrochemical Acrylamide Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.8 Ecolab
5.8.1 Ecolab Company Profile
5.8.2 Ecolab Acrylamide Product Specification
5.8.3 Ecolab Acrylamide Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.9 Ashland
5.9.1 Ashland Company Profile
5.9.2 Ashland Acrylamide Product Specification
5.9.3 Ashland Acrylamide Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.10 Anhui Jucheng Fine Chemicals
5.10.1 Anhui Jucheng Fine Chemicals Company Profile
5.10.2 Anhui Jucheng Fine Chemicals Acrylamide Product Specification
5.10.3 Anhui Jucheng Fine Chemicals Acrylamide Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Acrylamide Market Size
6.2 North America Acrylamide Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Acrylamide Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Acrylamide Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Acrylamide Market Size
7.2 East Asia Acrylamide Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Acrylamide Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Acrylamide Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Acrylamide Market Size
8.2 Europe Acrylamide Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Acrylamide Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Acrylamide Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Acrylamide Market Size
9.2 South Asia Acrylamide Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Acrylamide Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Acrylamide Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Acrylamide Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Acrylamide Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Acrylamide Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Acrylamide Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Acrylamide Market Size
11.2 Middle East Acrylamide Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Acrylamide Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Acrylamide Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Acrylamide Market Size
12.2 Africa Acrylamide Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Acrylamide Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Acrylamide Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Acrylamide Market Size
13.2 Oceania Acrylamide Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Acrylamide Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Acrylamide Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Acrylamide Market Size
14.2 South America Acrylamide Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Acrylamide Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Acrylamide Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Acrylamide Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Acrylamide Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Acrylamide Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Acrylamide Market Size by Application
16 Acrylamide Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter
Global Acrylamide Market Segmentation
The market is categorized by its physical form and its specialized areas of utility, reflecting both massive industrial applications and niche scientific uses.
By Type
-
Solution: This is the most common commercial form, typically sold as a 30% to 50% aqueous solution. It is preferred for large-scale industrial use because it can be easily pumped, metered, and diluted in continuous production processes like water treatment and paper milling.
-
Crystalline Solid: This high-purity form is used primarily in applications where precise concentration and the absence of water are critical. It is the standard for laboratory-grade applications and the production of specialized coatings and adhesives.
-
Other: Includes specialized stabilized forms and modified monomers used in the production of functionalized polymers for the textile and cosmetic industries.
By Application
(Refining the provided categories to reflect the industrial reality of acrylamide utility)
-
In-Patient Facility (Biomedical/Clinical Research): In this segment, high-purity acrylamide is used in clinical diagnostics and genomic research within hospital labs. It is the foundational material for creating polyacrylamide gels used in electrophoresis to identify disease markers and genetic mutations.
-
Out-Patient Facility (Diagnostic Testing): Similar to in-patient use, this involves the use of acrylamide-based gels in private diagnostic laboratories and community health clinics for routine screening and protein analysis.
-
Other (Water Treatment, Oil & Gas, Paper/Pulp): This remains the dominant volume driver. Acrylamide-derived polymers are used for municipal wastewater flocculation, friction reduction in hydraulic fracturing, and as strengthening agents in the global packaging and paper industry.
Top Key Players Covered in the Market
The competitive landscape is dominated by large-scale chemical conglomerates that possess proprietary bio-catalytic technologies.
-
BASF SE (Germany): A global leader that utilizes advanced enzyme technology for acrylamide production. BASF’s focus on sustainable chemistry and its massive distribution network make it a primary price setter in the global market.
-
SNF Group (France): The world’s largest producer of Polyacrylamide. SNF is highly vertically integrated, producing its own acrylamide to supply its vast range of water treatment and EOR products.
-
Kemira Oyj (Finland): A specialist in water chemistry, Kemira provides acrylamide-based solutions specifically tailored for the pulp and paper industry and municipal water systems in Europe and North America.
-
Mitsui Chemicals (Japan): A pioneer in bio-catalytic acrylamide production. Mitsui focuses on high-purity solutions for the Asian electronics and specialty chemicals markets.
-
Beijing Hengju Chemical (China): A major player in the oilfield chemicals segment, supplying the massive Chinese domestic market and exporting to oil-producing regions in the Middle East and Russia.
-
Dia-Nitrix (Japan): Known for its high-quality monomer production, focusing on the supply of raw materials for specialized industrial coatings and laboratory reagents.
-
Jiangxi Changjiu Agrochemical (China): A significant regional producer that has expanded its capacity to serve the growing industrial sectors in Southeast Asia.
-
Ecolab (USA): Through its Nalco Water division, Ecolab is a primary end-user and distributor of acrylamide-based polymers for industrial water process optimization.
-
Ashland (USA): Focuses on specialty chemical applications, including acrylamide derivatives for the personal care and architectural coatings markets.
-
Anhui Jucheng Fine Chemicals (China): One of the largest Chinese manufacturers utilizing bio-enzyme technology, catering to the global water treatment and mining sectors.
