Acraldehyde Market Size | Global Analysis [2033]

Acraldehyde Market Overview

The Acraldehyde Market size was valued at USD 1533.96 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2359.3 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2025 to 2033.

The acraldehyde market, commonly referring to acrolein, is a critical segment within the global chemical manufacturing and intermediate production landscape. In 2024, global production volume of acraldehyde surpassed 820,000 metric tons, with Asia-Pacific contributing over 470,000 metric tons. Acrolein is primarily used as an intermediate in the production of methionine, glutaraldehyde, pesticides, and water treatment agents. More than 290 chemical companies were involved in acraldehyde production and downstream applications in 2024. China remained the dominant producer, accounting for over 55% of global output, followed by the United States and Germany. Over 124,000 metric tons were allocated for methionine synthesis alone, while 86,000 metric tons were consumed by the agrochemical sector. In 2024, acrolein-based water treatment solutions were deployed in over 33,000 municipal and industrial treatment systems globally. Market demand was also driven by over 1,800 glutaraldehyde production facilities using acetaldehyde as a base reactant. With growing environmental regulations, 64% of plants upgraded to closed-loop and low-emission manufacturing lines during 2023–2024. Global logistics hubs reported a 21% increase in shipments of acraldehyde-based intermediates in 2024, signaling intensified industrial demand across multiple regions and verticals.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Expanding methionine production and demand in the animal feed industry.

Top Country/Region: China leads the global market, producing over 450,000 metric tons in 2024.

Top Segment: Methionine synthesis is the largest segment, consuming over 124,000 metric tons of acraldehyde in 2024.

Acraldehyde Market Trends

The acraldehyde market continues to evolve rapidly due to shifts in downstream demand, technological process upgrades, and regional production optimization. In 2024, over 69% of acraldehyde was produced via the propylene oxidation method, while 31% was derived from glycerol dehydration. Sustainability goals and feedstock diversification led to an increase in glycerol-based acraldehyde, with over 253,000 metric tons produced through this route, representing a 19% year-over-year increase.

Methionine production drove the majority of acraldehyde demand. Over 3.6 million metric tons of methionine were manufactured in 2024, of which 124,000 metric tons of acraldehyde were consumed as a primary intermediate. The animal feed industry in Asia, particularly in China, South Korea, and India, contributed to this expansion. In China, 62% of methionine production used domestic acraldehyde output.

In the agrochemical segment, acraldehyde served as a precursor in the synthesis of over 87 registered pesticide formulations, with more than 86,000 metric tons used in 2024. Latin America, especially Brazil and Argentina, increased demand for these compounds due to expanded soybean and maize cultivation. Brazil alone imported over 12,000 metric tons of acraldehyde-based pesticide intermediates.

Water treatment was another key segment. Acraldehyde derivatives were applied in over 33,000 installations worldwide, including cooling towers, boiler systems, and municipal treatment plants. In the U.S., 2,800 water treatment facilities used acraldehyde-based biocides to manage microbial growth and system fouling. Annual consumption for this segment reached over 41,000 metric tons globally in 2024.

Glutaraldehyde production was also scaled up. Used in oilfield biocides and sterilants, over 51,000 metric tons of acraldehyde were used in glutaraldehyde synthesis in 2024. Demand for high-purity grades exceeded 18,000 metric tons, particularly in North American and European pharmaceutical sterilization markets.

Digitally enabled plants represented a key trend in 2024. Over 38 manufacturing sites globally integrated AI for process control in acraldehyde synthesis, reducing energy consumption by 14% and emissions by 11% compared to 2023. Europe and Japan led in deploying IoT sensors across acrolein reactors for real-time analytics and emission tracking.

Acraldehyde Market Dynamics

Drivers

Rising demand for pharmaceuticals and animal nutrition.

Acraldehyde plays a vital role in methionine production, a key amino acid in poultry and livestock nutrition. In 2024, global poultry feed demand crossed 630 million metric tons, with methionine included in over 82% of formulations. This resulted in the use of more than 124,000 metric tons of acraldehyde for methionine synthesis. Additionally, glutaraldehyde, derived from acraldehyde, saw significant use in sterilants for hospital and laboratory applications, accounting for over 21,000 metric tons. The rising use of acraldehyde in medical-grade disinfectants across 9,000 hospitals worldwide further propelled market growth. These dynamics are supported by strong veterinary, food safety, and hospital hygiene regulations, particularly in developed countries.

Restraints

Toxicity concerns and stringent handling regulations.

Acraldehyde is classified as a hazardous air pollutant and toxic compound, requiring stringent handling, storage, and emission control protocols. In 2024, over 560 manufacturing or storage violations involving acraldehyde were recorded globally, prompting increased regulatory scrutiny. The European Chemicals Agency implemented new threshold limits, requiring over 145 production plants to upgrade ventilation and safety infrastructure. In the U.S., the EPA enforced 18 regulatory actions involving acraldehyde storage and release violations. Compliance-related investment increased by 24% for acraldehyde producers during 2023–2024, raising production costs and operational barriers, particularly for small-scale manufacturers.

Opportunities

Expansion of green and bio-based chemical manufacturing.

In 2024, over 31% of acraldehyde production came from glycerol dehydration, up from 24% in 2022. This method, which utilizes by-products from biodiesel plants, offers a renewable pathway to acraldehyde production. Investments in green chemistry expanded significantly, with more than $240 million equivalent invested in glycerol-based acraldehyde production facilities across the Netherlands, China, and Brazil. Glycerol-based acraldehyde reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 28% per ton compared to the propylene oxidation route. Countries like Germany and South Korea launched subsidies for bio-based acraldehyde projects, triggering 11 pilot plants and joint ventures focused on sustainable intermediates. This transformation aligns with the broader market shift toward circular and low-emission chemical processes.

Challenges

Volatility in propylene prices and feedstock uncertainty.

Acraldehyde production remains heavily reliant on propylene feedstock, especially in the propylene oxidation method, which accounted for over 560,000 metric tons in 2024. Propylene price volatility increased in 2024, with fluctuations exceeding 22% within six months due to geopolitical factors and crude oil supply chain constraints. This disrupted production scheduling for over 90 acraldehyde facilities across North America and East Asia. Additionally, seasonal fluctuations in glycerol availability from biodiesel producers impacted glycerol-based acraldehyde capacity by 13% in Q2 2024. The lack of long-term feedstock contracts led to pricing uncertainties, discouraging new entrants and causing supply constraints for downstream users.

Acraldehyde Market Segmentation

The acraldehyde market is segmented by production method and application. Type-wise, it includes the propylene oxidation method and glycerol dehydration method. Application-wise, it spans methionine production, pesticide synthesis, glutaraldehyde manufacturing, water treatment agents, and other specialty intermediates.

By Type

Propylene Oxidation Method: In 2024, over 560,000 metric tons of acraldehyde were produced via propylene oxidation. This method remains the industry standard due to its high conversion rates and availability of industrial-grade propylene. The U.S., China, and Germany led this segment with 71% of global capacity. The method is favored for its scalability, with over 120 large-scale plants operating worldwide. However, rising propylene costs and emission control requirements increased processing expenses by 18% in 2024.
Glycerol Dehydration Method: The glycerol dehydration method produced more than 253,000 metric tons of acraldehyde in 2024, accounting for 31% of global output. Brazil and the Netherlands became major contributors, leveraging biodiesel by-products. This method reduces sulfur and particulate emissions by 28% per ton of acraldehyde. Over 42 plants globally adopted this method in 2024, with capacities ranging from 5,000 to 35,000 metric tons annually. As environmental regulations tighten, the glycerol method is increasingly favored by sustainability-driven chemical firms.

By Application

Methionine: Methionine production consumed over 124,000 metric tons of acraldehyde in 2024, with demand driven by poultry and swine nutrition. Asia-Pacific used more than 72,000 metric tons, led by China and India. Over 67 companies across 14 countries produce methionine using acraldehyde as a primary intermediate. Methionine demand continues to rise with expanding protein consumption globally.
Pesticide: The pesticide segment consumed over 86,000 metric tons of acraldehyde in 2024. Over 87 registered pesticide formulations globally used acraldehyde-derived intermediates. Latin American agriculture expansion, particularly in soybean and corn production, drove over 16,000 metric tons of demand from Brazil alone.
Glutaraldehyde: In 2024, glutaraldehyde production used 51,000 metric tons of acraldehyde. North America accounted for 40% of this demand. The compound was widely applied in oilfield biocides, hospital sterilants, and tanning agents. Pharmaceutical-grade glutaraldehyde accounted for 21,000 metric tons.
Water Treatment Agent: Acraldehyde was used in over 33,000 industrial water systems globally. Annual demand reached 41,000 metric tons in 2024. Cooling systems, closed-loop treatment units, and microbial control systems in Asia and North America made up 70% of the segment.
Others: Other uses consumed 18,000 metric tons in 2024. These include acraldehyde use in organic synthesis, laboratory reagents, and industrial biocides. Over 400 chemical products listed acraldehyde as a secondary raw material.

Acraldehyde Market Regional Outlook

North America

led in high-purity acraldehyde consumption, with over 146,000 metric tons used in 2024. The United States alone accounted for 126,000 metric tons, fueled by strong demand from the pharmaceutical, water treatment, and glutaraldehyde sectors. Over 75 acraldehyde manufacturing and processing plants operated across 22 U.S. states. Canada contributed an additional 17,400 metric tons, mainly for pesticide intermediates and research applications. Environmental regulations prompted more than 42 plants to upgrade to closed-loop systems with a 91% recovery efficiency in emissions.

Europe

Consumed more than 112,000 metric tons of acraldehyde in 2024, with Germany, the Netherlands, and France leading production and application. Germany accounted for 38,000 metric tons, with 63% used in methionine and water treatment agent production. The European Union funded eight research and pilot projects aimed at replacing propylene-based acraldehyde with bio-based alternatives. France and Italy collectively used over 29,000 metric tons, with high adoption in water treatment and agrochemicals.

Asia-Pacific

remained the largest regional market, accounting for over 470,000 metric tons of acraldehyde production and consumption in 2024. China alone produced more than 450,000 metric tons, serving both domestic needs and export markets across Southeast Asia and Africa. India used over 19,000 metric tons, primarily for pesticides and methionine. Japan and South Korea collectively consumed more than 28,000 metric tons, with a focus on pharmaceutical applications. Advanced process controls and catalytic efficiency upgrades were implemented at over 34 plants across this region in 2024.

Middle East & Africa

The consumed approximately 24,000 metric tons of acraldehyde in 2024. Saudi Arabia and the UAE led regional consumption with a combined 14,600 metric tons, largely in oilfield biocides and water treatment. South Africa and Egypt used more than 7,500 metric tons combined. Several new methionine production initiatives launched in Egypt and Kenya in 2024 are expected to increase regional acraldehyde demand by 17% over the next two years.

List of Top Acraldehyde Companies

Evonik
Adisseo
Arkema
DuPont
Daicel
Hubei Shengling Technology
Wuhan Ruiji Chemical
Hubei Jinghong Chemical
Shandong Xinglu Biological
Puyang Shenghuade Chemical
Wuhan Youji
Hubei Xinjing New Material

Top Two Companies with the Highest Share

Evonik: Produced over 138,000 metric tons of acraldehyde globally in 2024, with facilities in Germany, China, and the U.S., supporting methionine, glutaraldehyde, and water treatment supply chains.

Adisseo: Consumed more than 112,000 metric tons of acraldehyde across its methionine production facilities in China and Europe, making it one of the largest end-users of acraldehyde globally.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investment in the acraldehyde market remained robust during 2023–2024, with capital inflow aimed at capacity expansion, bio-based production, compliance upgrades, and downstream integration. Globally, over $460 million equivalent was allocated to acraldehyde-related projects in 24 months.

China led in facility expansion with seven new production lines commissioned between 2023 and 2024, adding over 92,000 metric tons of annual output. Provinces such as Jiangsu and Hubei hosted high-capacity plants, producing both propylene-based and glycerol-derived acraldehyde. More than 32 domestic firms received local government grants and tax incentives worth $54 million to adopt lower-emission catalytic reactors.

Germany and the Netherlands directed over €70 million in investment toward green chemistry projects. A joint venture in Rotterdam started constructing a 36,000 metric ton per year glycerol dehydration facility, using 100% biodiesel by-products. Germany’s chemical cluster in North Rhine-Westphalia upgraded five acraldehyde units with advanced process analytics and digital twin technology, boosting yield by 11%.

Brazil and Argentina saw over $48 million invested in glycerol-based acraldehyde production. São Paulo’s industrial park added a 14,000 metric ton facility using enzymatic dehydration pathways. In Latin America, over 19 agritech and feed companies signed long-term purchase agreements for acraldehyde-based methionine intermediates.

The U.S. recorded over $90 million in investment through both private equity and public funding initiatives. Two new glutaraldehyde synthesis plants in Texas and Louisiana integrated acraldehyde production on-site, improving supply chain efficiency by 23%. In total, more than 18 brownfield upgrades in the U.S. enhanced emissions control and feedstock conversion.

In Africa, Kenya and Egypt launched two pilot acraldehyde units funded by international development agencies. Combined, they added 5,200 metric tons of glycerol-based capacity in 2024, with a primary focus on water treatment and feed additives. Regional investment opportunities continue to emerge, especially for bio-based acraldehyde aligned with agricultural development programs.

New Product Development

Product development in the acraldehyde market intensified between 2023 and 2024, targeting safer handling, higher purity, and novel intermediate applications. Over 78 new acraldehyde formulations and derivatives were introduced globally, primarily in the methionine, pharmaceutical, and agrochemical sectors.

Launched a high-purity acraldehyde variant for medical-grade glutaraldehyde synthesis in March 2024. The formulation exceeded 99.8% purity and featured a built-in stabilizer to reduce polymerization during storage. Over 19,000 metric tons of this grade were shipped to pharmaceutical sterilant manufacturers in Europe and North America by year-end.

Expanded its methionine product line with a low-residue acraldehyde-based intermediate in October 2023, reducing by-products by 16% in poultry feed applications. More than 8,600 metric tons were deployed in feed trials across Asia.

Developed a novel biocidal derivative using acraldehyde and quaternary ammonium compounds, launched in 2024 for hospital disinfection applications. Early tests in Japan and Singapore showed 99.9% effectiveness against resistant microbial strains, and 4,200 liters were commercialized within six months.

Introduced a dual-function acraldehyde compound in June 2023 for combined pesticide and soil treatment uses. Brazil’s sugarcane plantations adopted this for 48,000 hectares. Over 6,500 metric tons were exported regionally.

Initiated commercialization of glycerol-based acraldehyde stabilized for long-term storage under tropical conditions. Pilot shipments to Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia totaled 2,400 metric tons in 2024.

Five Recent Developments

In May 2024, Evonik commissioned a 42,000 metric ton acraldehyde plant in Germany with integrated AI process monitoring and zero-waste discharge capability.
Adisseo signed a multi-year contract in January 2024 with three Southeast Asian poultry conglomerates to supply over 90,000 metric tons of acraldehyde-based methionine intermediates.
Wuhan Ruiji Chemical expanded its glycerol dehydration facility in Q3 2023, increasing output by 11,000 metric tons and reducing carbon emissions by 21%.
Hubei Xinjing New Material launched a 99.9% high-purity acraldehyde grade in September 2023, tailored for pharmaceutical-grade glutaraldehyde.
DuPont introduced an acraldehyde-based green solvent in November 2023 for resin formulations, initially deployed across 12 U.S. manufacturing plants.

Report Coverage of Acraldehyde Market

This report provides a detailed analysis of the acraldehyde market, covering production technologies, application breakdowns, market dynamics, and investment trends across 58 countries. It includes granular data on over 820,000 metric tons of acraldehyde produced and consumed globally in 2024.

The report segments the market by production type—propylene oxidation and glycerol dehydration—and by application: methionine, pesticides, glutaraldehyde, water treatment, and others. Each segment is evaluated in terms of volume, downstream impact, regulatory status, and purity benchmarks. Regional analyses detail country-level production and demand with a focus on China, the U.S., Germany, Brazil, and India.

Key players are profiled based on capacity, technology integration, and product innovation, highlighting the top 12 companies, with specific data on the two market leaders. Over 78 product innovations, including stabilized and high-purity variants, are benchmarked with real-world usage data.

Investment analysis outlines $460 million equivalent in global projects, facility expansions, and bio-based production, while product development insights spotlight breakthroughs in disinfection, feed formulation, and agrochemical performance.

Five major developments from 2023–2024 are featured to contextualize ongoing market transformation. The report is an essential reference for stakeholders in chemical production, downstream formulation, investment, and regulatory planning across the global acraldehyde ecosystem.