Acrylonitrile Market

Acrylonitrile Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

Global demand for acrylonitrile is valued at US$ 13.3 billion in 2023 and is estimated to reach a market valuation of US$ 19.8 billion by the end of 2033. The global acrylonitrile market is projected to exhibit expansion at a steady 4% CAGR over the next ten years.

Acrylonitrile is used in the production of derivatives such as carbon fiber, acrylamide, nitrile rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, etc. The rapid expansion of industries such as automotive and construction is projected to be a key prospect driving demand for acrylonitrile in the future.

Characteristic properties of fibers and plastics made from acrylonitrile such as high strength, durability, thermal stability, and high chemical resistance make them a mainstay in several industrial and commercial applications. Changing lifestyle preferences, increasing investments in infrastructure development, expanding automotive production, and high spending on R&D of new chemicals and materials are other factors that favour market growth over the next ten years.

Increasing focus on health is boosting investments in medical infrastructure development and driving demand for medical devices and hospital supplies, which is slated to benefit acrylonitrile sales in the future. Acrylonitrile is used in making nitrile rubber and surging demand for nitrile rubber gloves in healthcare is slated to bolster acrylonitrile consumption going forward.

• In September 2021, American Nitrile, a company focused on medical glove manufacturing, revealed that it was building an advanced manufacturing facility to produce nitrile gloves for different applications. The company was created to meet the surging demand for medical gloves and non-medical latex-free gloves around the world.

Surging per capita disposable income is expanding consumer spending potential for products such as textiles, consumer electronics, etc., which is slated to open up new frontiers of opportunity for acrylonitrile suppliers in the future. High demand for lightweight and durable clothing is also expected to promote the consumption of acrylonitrile in the textile industry through 2033.

On the contrary, the highly toxic nature of acrylonitrile and the rising preference for bio-based materials and chemicals are expected to be major constraints for acrylonitrile sales growth throughout the forecast period. Growing popularity of bio-based acrylonitrile is projected to emerge as a challenge but also presents itself as an opportunity for new as well as established acrylonitrile manufacturers in the future.

• In October 2022, Ineos Styrolution, a sub-company of INEOS and a leading supplier of styrenics, introduced its bio-based Terluran (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) ABS materials. These new materials help minimize CO2 emissions and create a more sustainable space as per the changing norms around the world.

Report Attributes	Details
Market Size in 2023	US$ 13.3 Billion
Projected Market Value (2033F)	US$ 19.8 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	4% CAGR
Market Share of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (2023)	~33%
Asia Pacific Market Share (2022)	>50%
Key Companies Profiled	INEOS Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. China Petrochemical Technology Development Co. Ltd. SECCO Ascend Performance Material Chemelot Formosa Plastics Asahi Kasei Advance Corporation Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Taekwang Industrial Co. Ltd.

Will New Acrylonitrile Companies Successfully Penetrate This Industry?

“Bio-based Acrylonitrile – Principal Component for Fortunate Start-ups”

The increasing climatic issues caused by global warming and climate change have resulted in a high focus on sustainability around the globe. Ban on toxic chemicals and materials along with the implementation of stringent mandates to reduce the environmental impact of toxic substances are expected to create high demand for eco-friendly and bio-based alternatives.

Aspiring acrylonitrile vendors are focusing on raising new capital to fund their research and business expansion efforts for bio-based acrylonitrile products over the next ten years.

• Trillium Renewable Chemicals, a company focusing on the development of plant-based feedstocks for chemical manufacturing, announced that it had raised US$ 10.6 million in a Series A financing round in December 2022. Helm AG, Hyosung Advanced Materials Corporation, and Capricorn Partners were key investors in this funding round. The company’s Bio-ACN™ process is capable of sustainably converting plant-based feedstocks into chemicals such as acetonitrile and acrylonitrile among others.

An all-inclusive assessment of market-augmenting aspects such as new developments, product standards, local supply, pricing trends, and safety regulations have been mentioned in this latest acrylonitrile market study by skilled analysts at Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

Country-wise Insights

Why Should Acrylonitrile Manufacturers Target Asian Countries?

“Rapid Industrialization Fueling Acrylonitrile Consumption”

Asian countries such as China, India, Japan, and Korea have been witnessing rapid industrialization and urbanization in recent years, which is projected to fuel the demand for acrylonitrile in numerous industry verticals through 2033. Supportive government initiatives to promote manufacturing activity, high investments in infrastructure development, growing automotive production activity, and availability of cheap raw materials and labor are other key aspects that could augment sales of acrylonitrile and other chemical products in the future.

Flourishing textile and home furnishing industries in Asian countries are also projected to uplift acrylonitrile shipments over the coming years. The paradigm shift toward bio-based and sustainable chemical products is expected to be a key future-augmenting factor for acrylonitrile companies operating in the Asia Pacific region through 2033.

• In December 2022, LG Chem, a renowned Korean chemicals company, announced its plans to launch new acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) products that are manufactured using plant-based raw materials.

Will the United States Be a Lucrative Market for Acrylonitrile Producers?

“Increasing Oil & Gas Exploration Driving Acrylonitrile Demand”

The United States has been investing in bolstering its oil and gas industry to reduce its reliance on imported petroleum and petroleum-based products. Supportive government initiatives and the launch of new oil & gas exploration programs in the country are also expected to fuel acrylonitrile consumption in the future owing to the petroleum-based manufacturing methods of acrylonitrile and its derivatives. However, the demand for eco-friendly materials is also witnessing a hike in the country, which could bolster bio-based acrylonitrile sales going forward.

• In April 2022, a pilot production facility for renewable acrylonitrile was under construction in Charleston, West Virginia, United States. The facility was being built by Trillium Renewable Chemicals and was expected to reduce gas emissions by 70% as compared to traditional production practices for acrylonitrile derived from petroleum feedstock.

Which European Country Should Acrylonitrile Companies Invest In?

“Germany – Prime Remunerative Market for Acrylonitrile Vendors”

Germany is known around the world for its world-class vehicles and this can be attributed to the presence of top automotive giants such as Volkswagen, Audi, and BMW and its robust automotive manufacturing industry. The surging use of carbon fiber and other plastic lightweight components in vehicle manufacturing to reduce weight and comply with emission mandates is estimated to uplift shipments of polycarbonate acrylonitrile butadiene styrene and other acrylonitrile products in Germany through 2033.

A high focus on sustainability and increasing sales of electric vehicles are also expected to open up new opportunities for acrylonitrile companies and also benefit the demand for bio-based acrylonitrile across the forecast period.

• As per an article published on euronews.next, Germany witnessed registered sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) of 198,293 units in 2022 making it the leading country in this category across the European Union.

Category-wise Insights

Which Type of Acrylonitrile is Most Extensively Used?

“Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Accounts for Leading Market Share”

Based on product type, the acrylonitrile market is segmented into acrylic fiber, styrene acrylonitrile, adiponitrile, acrylamide, carbon fiber, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, nitrile rubber, and others.

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene has found versatile and extensive applications in various industries such as construction and automotive. Both of these industries are witnessing notable expansion owing to the launch of new construction projects and surging sales of vehicles, which in turn, is bolstering demand for acrylonitrile over the next ten years.

• At present, shipments of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene account for more than 1/3 share of the global marketplace.
• Nitrile rubber demand accounted for more than 25% share of the global market value in 2022.

Competitive Landscape

Acrylonitrile manufacturers are focusing on expanding their business scope while maintaining their sustainability goals as the focus on sustainability increases rapidly.

• In January 2022, Asahi Kasei, a multinational Japanese chemical manufacturer, revealed that it was foraying into the production of acrylonitrile by using biomass-derived raw materials. ISCC PLUS1 international certification for acrylonitrile as a sustainable product was acquired by Tongsuh Petrochemical Corp., Ltd. (TSPC), which is a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei.

Top-tier acrylonitrile producers are also expected to lean towards strategies such as collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions to strengthen their stance in the global competitive landscape.

• In January 2023, LANXESS, a leading specialty chemicals manufacturer, announced that it had entered into cooperation on the supply of biocircular styrene with TotalEnergies, a French energy company. LANXESS is also known for sourcing biocircular acrylonitrile and playing a crucial role in the sustainable and eco-friendly chemicals business.
• In July 2022, INEOS, a renowned British chemicals company, signed a deal that allowed it to acquire 50% of Sinopec subsidiary SECCO Petrochemical Co. Ltd. The venture was capable of producing 4.2 million tonnes per year of polymers, olefins, and derivatives such as acrylonitrile, ethylene, etc. in its 200-hectare complex in Shanghai Chemical Industry Park.

Key Segments of Acrylonitrile Industry Research

• By Application :

  • Acrylic Fiber
  • Adiponitrile
  • Styrene Acrylonitrile
  • Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene
  • Acrylamide
  • Carbon Fiber
  • Nitrile Rubber
  • Others

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • APAC
  • MEA