On this page
Global acrylamide production in 2025 is estimated at approximately 3.6 to 3.7 million tonnes, reflecting a mature but steadily expanding specialty chemical segment anchored in water treatment, enhanced oil recovery and paper processing demand. Supply growth continues in line with rising polyacrylamide consumption, infrastructure investment and increasingly stringent wastewater treatment standards across major economies. Market conditions balance industrial polymer demand with heightened regulatory oversight driven by acrylamide’s toxicological profile.
The global picture shows moderate year-on-year growth supported by essential downstream applications rather than discretionary consumption. Unlike consumer-facing chemicals, acrylamide demand is structurally linked to public infrastructure, environmental compliance and industrial process efficiency.
Production leadership remains concentrated in regions with reliable propylene and acrylonitrile supply, advanced catalyst or enzyme systems and established polymer manufacturing ecosystems. Asia Pacific leads global production, supported by large-scale plants in China and Southeast Asia. North America maintains stable output tied to municipal water treatment and oilfield chemical demand. Europe operates under tighter regulatory controls, emphasising high-purity, compliant production. Latin America and the Middle East rely on a mix of domestic capacity and imports.
Industrial and municipal buyers prioritise consistent purity, controlled residual monomer levels and reliable supply continuity over price flexibility.
Liquid acrylamide dominates global volume because it feeds directly into on-site or downstream polyacrylamide polymerisation systems, reducing handling risk and simplifying logistics. Buyers prioritise purity stability, inhibitor control and consistent concentration.
Bio-catalytic routes dominate modern acrylamide production due to higher selectivity, lower by-product formation and improved environmental performance. Buyers benefit from consistent quality, reduced impurity profiles and easier regulatory compliance.
Water treatment remains the largest end use because polyacrylamide-based flocculants are essential for infrastructure operation, environmental compliance and industrial water management. Buyers prioritise performance consistency, safety documentation and regulatory acceptance.
North America maintains stable acrylamide demand driven by municipal water treatment and oilfield services. Production focuses on compliant, high-purity output.
Europe operates under stringent health and environmental regulations, emphasising controlled production, traceability and low residual monomer levels.
Asia Pacific leads global capacity with large-scale plants supporting domestic water treatment, mining and industrial growth. Cost efficiency and scale define competitiveness.
Latin America relies on a mix of imports and limited regional production, with demand linked to mining activity and infrastructure development.
The region shows steady demand growth driven by water scarcity management and oilfield applications, largely supported by imports.
Acrylamide supply begins with acrylonitrile feedstock sourcing, followed by catalytic or enzymatic hydration, stabilisation and distribution in liquid or solid form. Downstream buyers include polyacrylamide producers, water treatment chemical formulators and oilfield service companies.
Feedstock pricing, catalyst or enzyme cost, energy consumption and compliance expenses dominate the cost structure. Transport safety requirements, storage controls and regulatory documentation add complexity, particularly for export markets.
Pricing formation is driven by acrylonitrile and propylene market dynamics rather than open spot trading. Buyers align contracts with infrastructure spending cycles, oilfield activity and long-term water treatment demand.
The acrylamide ecosystem includes petrochemical producers, enzyme technology providers, polymer manufacturers, water treatment companies, oilfield service firms and regulators. Asia Pacific shapes global volume availability, while Europe and North America define compliance, safety and quality standards.
Technology providers support hydration reactors, enzyme systems, process control platforms and safety infrastructure. Distributors manage bulk storage, transport and regulatory documentation.
Explore Hydrocarbons, Petrochemicals, and Organic Chemicals Insights
View Reports
Acrylamide Global Production Capacity and Growth Outlook
Thank you!
You will receive an email from our Business Development Manager. Please be sure to check your SPAM/JUNK folder too.
