The global nitric acid market demonstrated a valuation of USD 29.8 billion in 2022 and is projected to experience growth at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.4% from 2023 to 2030. This anticipated growth is primarily driven by the rising demand for nitric acid from fertilizer formulators, alongside the increasing consumption of fertilizers in various agrarian economies worldwide. The global demand for food has significantly propelled the expansion of diverse fertilizers and agricultural units, aimed at optimizing crop yields, reducing cultivation time, and promoting healthy crop development. Nitric acid serves as a crucial component in the production of nitrogen fertilizers, which are in high demand within the agricultural sector.
The nitric acid market is characterized by intense competition, particularly due to the presence of multinational corporations that are actively innovating to secure a larger share of the market. Key players such as BASF SE, Dow Chemicals, Nutrien, and CF Industries dominate the market, offering a broad array of products tailored for various applications and maintaining a robust global presence.
Furthermore, advancements in cutting-edge technologies—including the mono-medium pressure process, mono-high pressure process, and dual pressure process—are set to enhance production efficiency. These innovations are expected to raise awareness and further stimulate market growth in the coming years. Additionally, the increasing demand for nitric acid from the nylon production sector is likely to create new opportunities within the global market landscape.
Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Nitric Acid Market
Application Segmentation Insights
Fertilizer manufacturing accounted for a significant portion of the nitric acid application market, capturing a dominant share of 80.53% in 2022. This substantial share can be attributed to the growing demand for food, which has driven the establishment and expansion of fertilizer production units around the globe. Farmers are increasingly adopting techniques that optimize crop yields within shorter cultivation periods, leveraging the benefits of fertilizers to enhance agricultural productivity.
Another important application of nitric acid is in the production of adipic acid, where it serves as a crucial raw material. Adipic acid is essential for the manufacture of Nylon 6, 6, a material that finds extensive use in the development of plastics and industrial carpets. However, the market for Nylon 6, 6 is projected to stagnate over the forecast period, which may lead to diminished profit margins in adipic acid production. As a consequence, the consumption of nitric acid for adipic acid manufacturing is expected to decline.
Additionally, nitrobenzene represents a key application of nitric acid, particularly within the construction industry. The future demand for nitrobenzene is closely tied to the recovery and growth of the construction sector, which experienced a slowdown in emerging economies due to the unforeseen impact of the coronavirus pandemic. This disruption significantly affected the demand for nitrobenzene. Nonetheless, it is anticipated that demand will begin to rebound over the forecast period as the construction industry stabilizes and grows.
Order a free sample PDF of the Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.
