Global Acrolein Market 2025 – 2034

Reports Description

As per the current market research conducted by the CMI Team, the Global Acrolein Market is expected to record a CAGR of 3.3% from 2025 to 2034. In 2025, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 1.3 Billion. By 2034, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 1.7 Billion.

Acrolein Market: Overview

Acrolein (propenal) is the simplest unsaturated aldehyde. It’s a colorless liquid with a nasty, unpleasant odor. The smell of burnt fat (as when frying oil is heated to the smoke point) is created by glycerol in the burning fat, converting to acrolein.

It is manufactured industrially from propene and is mainly utilized as a biocide and building block for other chemical compounds such as the amino acid methionine. Acrolein is produced industrially via the oxidation of propene. The process uses air as a source of oxygen and metal oxides as heterogeneous catalysts CH3CH=CH2 + O2 → CH2=CHCHO + H2O.

This process produces around 500,000 tons of acrolein annually in North America, Europe, and Japan. Furthermore, all acrylic acid is created during the temporary synthesis of acrolein. Several factors, including the production of acrylic acid and derivatives, the growing agriculture sector, the increasing water treatment industry, and rising product innovation, influence the acrolein market. However, the rising health and environmental concerns hamper the acrolein market over the forecast period.

Acrolein Market: Growth Factors

Increasing demand from the water treatment sector

The acrolein wastewater treatment process includes distillation, acid adjustment, UV radiation treatment, and biochemical treatment. It is rapidly being used to cool water towers and water treatment ponds worldwide, which is driving market expansion.

In accordance with this, the increasing use of acrolein in water treatment facilities to kill bacteria and germs and restrict the growth of algae and plants is helping to grow the market. Aside from that, there is an increased requirement to maintain hygiene and improve drinking water quality worldwide.

This, together with the increased use of acrolein in irrigation canals and industrial plant water supplies to eliminate floating weeds, is driving the growth of the acrolein market.

Accelerating production of acrylic acid

The increased use of acrolein as a chemical intermediary in producing acrylic acid drives market expansion. Acrylic acid polymers are broadly used in producing emulsifiers, resins, dyes, and nonwoven fabrics across the globe. Besides, there is an increase in demand for acrylic acid in adhesive and coating applications. Furthermore, the increasing use of acrylic acid as a super-absorbing ingredient in diapers and sanitary pads is boosting the acrolein industry.

Acrolein Market: Challenge

Raw material scarcity

The raw material shortage is a significant barrier to market growth. It is a widely utilized chemical compound in a variety of industrial applications. It comprises several basic components, including glycerin and propylene, which are in short supply due to a lack of raw materials.

This raw material shortage has created a significant commercial dilemma for worldwide businesses, potentially disrupting the supply chain. Glycerin and propylene are in great demand in many industries, including pharmaceuticals, personal care, and automotive, resulting in a raw material shortage.

This has burdened the supply chain, creating a volatile market condition. Furthermore, glycerin manufacturing is intimately related to biodiesel synthesis, which has added to the scarcity of raw materials as renewable energy sources gain popularity.

Acrolein Market: Segmentation Analysis

By Product:

The glycerol dehydration method segment is expected to dominate the market. This technology has gained popularity due to the surplus of glycerol produced by biodiesel synthesis. The use of glycerol dehydration provides a renewable feedstock for acrolein production and contributes to market revenue growth by providing a cost-effective and ecologically friendly manufacturing process.

Besides, the propylene oxidation method segment is growing at a rapid rate. The segment expansion is driven by its applications in producing acrylic acid, methionine, and biocides.

By Application:

The biocides segment is expected to dominate the market. The use of acrolein as a biocide, notably in water treatment applications, has contributed considerably to this rise. Acrolein effectively inhibits the growth of algae, bacteria, and other microorganisms in industrial water systems and irrigation canals. Its use as a pesticide in water treatment processes is gaining popularity, accelerating market growth.

Besides, the water treatment agent segment is growing at a rapid rate. The increasing urbanization and the lack of drinking water in some developing areas drive the market growth.

Report Scope

Acrolein Market: Regional Analysis

North America is projected to dominate the acrolein market. The growing demand for water treatment solutions in the area as the investment in water infrastructure is growing rapidly, accelerating the market growth. For instance, according to data issued by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in October 2023, the organization gave the state of New York more than USD 336 million to support cleaner water throughout the state.

However, the Asia Pacific is growing significantly in the global acrolein industry. The growing urbanization and increasing demand from the water treatment industry are expected to drive the regional industry expansion.

Acrolein Market: Recent Development

The acrolein industry adopted several strategies, including product launches, acquisitions, collaboration, and expansion. Some of the company strategies include:

• In August 2022, Spex acquired NSI Lab Solutions, a leading United States-based manufacturer. The product portfolio of NSI Lab Solutions includes acrolein, certified reference materials (CRMs), and others. The prime focus of Spex was to increase the market presence at the global level.

• In February 2023, Evonik announced the expansion of its German plant that produces Methylmercapto-Propionaldehyde (MMP), an organic compound that is integral in producing DL-methionine. The company invested USD 27.3 million in the Wesseling, Germany plant to strengthen its methionine production network.

The increasing expansion in product portfolio and rising expansion activities are the strategies that have expanded the company’s market presence in the acrolein industry and gained its competitive edge.

List of the prominent players in the Acrolein Market:

• Daicel Corp.
• Evonik Industries AG
• Hubei Jinghong Chemical Co. Ltd.
• Hubei Shengling Technology Co. Ltd.
• Hubei Xinjing New Material Co. Ltd.
• Merck KGaA
• Puyang Shenghuade Chemical Co. Ltd.
• Wuhan Ruiji Chemical Co. Ltd.
• Wuhan Youji Industries Co. Ltd.
• Others

The Acrolein Market is segmented as follows:

By Product

• Propylene Oxidation Method
• Glycerol Dehydration Method

By Application

• Glutaraldehyde
• Biocides
• Pesticide
• Methionine
• Water Treatment Agent
• Others

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Russia
• Italy
• Spain
• Netherlands
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• 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