Acrylonitrile Market

Market Definition

Acrylonitrile is a colorless, volatile liquid chemical compound produced primarily through the ammoxidation of propylene. The market is segmented by application, including acrylic fiber used in textiles, adiponitrile for nylon manufacturing, styrene acrylonitrile for packaging & consumer goods, acrylamide for water treatment & oil recovery, carbon fiber for composites, and nitrile-butadiene rubber used in automotive and industrial sectors.

Acrylonitrile Market Overview

The global acrylonitrile market size was valued at USD 11.78 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 12.14 billion in 2025 to USD 15.54 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 3.43% during the forecast period. 

The market growth is spurred by the rising use of acrylonitrile in kitchen appliance components, particularly in the production of heat- and impact-resistant plastics like ABS. The market is registering a shift toward sustainable production with bio-based acrylonitrile, as manufacturers explore renewable alternatives to reduce environmental impact.

Major companies operating in the acrylonitrile industry are CHIMEI, Cornerstone Chemical, Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Trinseo PLC, LG Chem, INEOS Capital Limited, SABIC, Petrochemical Development Corporation, PetroChina Company Limited, Advansix, Asahi Kasei Corporation, SGL Carbon, BASF SE, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, and Taekwang.

Rising focus on circular feedstocks is reshaping production strategies in the market. Manufacturers are incorporating recycled materials and renewable inputs to reduce environmental impact and enhance resource efficiency. This shift supports long-term sustainability goals and helps meet evolving regulatory expectations. The move toward circularity is gaining traction as companies aim to minimize waste and reduce reliance on fossil-derived raw materials.

• In March 2025, ELIX Polymers, together with Repsol and AnQore, introduced fully recycled products under its E-LOOP CR line. The partnership aims to produce certified sustainable materials by utilizing circular and bio-circular feedstocks such as acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene.

Key Highlights:

1. The acrylonitrile industry size was valued at USD 2.65 billion in 2024.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.43% from 2025 to 2032.
3. Asia Pacific held a market share of 35.03% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 4.13 billion.
4. The acrylic fiber segment garnered USD 2.85 billion in revenue in 2024.
5. The market in North America is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.91% during the forecast period.

Market Driver

Rising Use of Acrylonitrile in Kitchen Appliances

The acrylonitrile market is driven by the rising usage of acrylonitrile in kitchen appliance components. Acrylonitrile is a key raw material in the production of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a durable and heat-resistant plastic widely used in appliances such as refrigerators, microwaves, food processors, and blenders. 

ABS offers excellent mechanical strength, thermal stability, and esthetic finish, making it well-suited for both internal parts and external housings. Manufacturers are scaling up the use of acrylonitrile-based polymers as consumer demand rises for high-performance, long-lasting kitchen appliances that meet evolving quality standards and modern design expectations.

• In May 2024, BSH Home Appliances collaborated with ELIX Polymers to incorporate certified sustainable ABS material in its kitchen appliance components. The partnership focused on the development of a tailor-made ABS grade, P3H-AT CR25, containing 25% bio-circular styrene for BOSCH's latest stand mixer.

Market Challenge

Health and Safety Risks Associated with Acrylonitrile Handling

Health and safety risks linked to the toxic and flammable nature of acrylonitrile hamper the market growth. Exposure to acrylonitrile can pose serious hazards to workers, leading to strict workplace safety regulations and increased compliance costs. These risks make plant operations more complex and can limit facility approvals or expansions, especially in densely populated regions.

Manufacturers are implementing advanced safety systems, automated handling processes, and continuous monitoring technologies to minimize human exposure and ensure safe operating conditions across production sites.

Market Trend

Shift Toward Sustainable Production with Bio-based Acrylonitrile

The acrylonitrile market is registering a shift toward bio-based production, driven by the need to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil-derived feedstocks. Bio-based acrylonitrile, produced from renewable sources such as glycerol or biomass-derived sugars, is gaining traction as a more sustainable alternative. 

Companies are investing in commercial-scale technologies to meet regulatory expectations and align with long-term sustainability goals. As a result, the adoption of low-carbon processes and renewable feedstocks across the acrylonitrile value chain is steadily increasing.

• In June 2025, INEOS Nitriles announced the first sales of Invireo, a bio-based acrylonitrile developed to support sustainable carbon fibre production. The product is manufactured using a certified ISCC+ mass balance approach and offers up to a 90% reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional acrylonitrile.

Acrylonitrile Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Application	Acrylic Fiber, Adiponitrile, Styrene Acrylonitrile, Acrylamide, Carbon Fiber, Nitrile-butadiene Rubber, Others
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation:

• By Application (Acrylic Fiber, Adiponitrile, Styrene Acrylonitrile, Acrylamide, Carbon Fiber, Nitrile-butadiene Rubber, and Others): The acrylic fiber segment earned USD 2.85 billion in 2024, due to strong textile demand, supported by its wool-like texture and lower cost.

Acrylonitrile Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

Asia Pacific acrylonitrile market share stood at around 35.03% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 4.13 billion. This market dominance is attributed to the rapid expansion of acrylonitrile manufacturing capacity across countries such as China, India, South Korea, and Malaysia. 

A key contributor has been the large-scale setup of Nitrile Butadiene Latex (NBL) manufacturing plants, particularly in Southeast Asia, to meet the rising global demand for medical gloves and industrial protective gear. Government-backed industrialization efforts and large downstream processing capacities have further reinforced the region’s dominance in the global market.

• In August 2024, Malaysia’s PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad and LG Chem announced their agreement to jointly construct a NBL manufacturing plant at the Pengerang Integrated Complex in Johor.

The acrylonitrile industry in North America is poised to grow at a significant CAGR of 3.91% over the forecast period. The regional market growth is attributed to the rising adoption of acrylonitrile in the production of high-performance automotive components. 

The shift toward fuel-efficient and electric vehicles (EVs) is increasing the demand for lightweight and durable materials such as ABS plastics and nitrile-butadiene rubber. The region’s advanced automotive manufacturing base supports the growing use of acrylonitrile in mobility-related applications.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the U.S., acrylonitrile is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Clean Air Act as a hazardous air pollutant and by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which sets permissible exposure limits to protect worker health.
• In Europe, acrylonitrile is classified under the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation and is listed as a substance of very high concern (SVHC), due to its carcinogenic properties.
• In Japan, acrylonitrile is governed by the Industrial Safety and Health Act, which mandates monitoring of workplace exposure and implementation of protective measures.

Competitive Landscape

Key players in the acrylonitrile industry are focusing on advanced material innovation and process optimization to strengthen their competitive position. A primary area of strategic focus is the development of lightweight, strong, and durable carbon fiber tailored for use in aerospace composites. Companies are investing in high-purity acrylonitrile production technologies to improve carbon fiber quality and performance. 

Strategic collaborations with carbon fiber processors and aerospace OEMs are being pursued to align product specifications with next-generation aircraft requirements. Additionally, targeted R&D efforts are directed toward enhancing yield, reducing impurities, and lowering energy consumption in acrylonitrile production to support large-scale, high-performance carbon fiber manufacturing.

• In March 2024, Hexcel Corporation announced the launch of HexTow IM9 24K, a new continuous carbon fiber introduced at JEC World. The product is designed to deliver lightweight, strong, and durable performance for advanced aerospace composite applications. The partnership focused on offering a high-strength intermediate modulus fiber with 24,000 filaments, delivering a 12% improvement in tensile strength over Hexcel’s baseline IM7 fiber.

List of Key Companies in Acrylonitrile Market:

• CHIMEI
• Cornerstone Chemical
• Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Trinseo PLC
• LG Chem
• INEOS Capital Limited
• SABIC
• Petrochemical Development Corporation
• PetroChina Company Limited
• Advansix
• Asahi Kasei Corporation
• SGL Carbon
• BASF SE
• Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation
• Taekwang

Recent Developments (Partnerships/Product Launches)

• In May 2025, Ascend Performance Materials began producing high-purity acrylonitrile at its Chocolate Bayou site in Alvin, Texas, enabled by newly commissioned purification systems
• In June 2024, Trillium Renewable Chemicals partnered with INEOS Nitriles to set up the first-ever demonstration facility for sustainable acrylonitrile production at INEOS’ Green Lake location in Port Lavaca, Texas
• In June 2024, Trinseo introduced a new range of recycled-content SAN and ABS resins marketed under the TYRIL CR, MAGNUM CR, and MAGNUM ECO+ brands. The launch focused on delivering drop-in sustainable material alternatives, incorporating up to 60% chemically recycled styrene, to support carbon footprint reduction in automotive, industrial, and consumer goods sectors.