| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Volume (2025) | 425.70 kilotons |
| Market Volume (2030) | 500.97 kilotons |
| CAGR | 3.31 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia-Pacific |
| Largest Market | Europe |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Propionic Acid Market Analysis
The Propionic Acid Market size is estimated at 425.70 kilotons in 2025, and is expected to reach 500.97 kilotons by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.31% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
.
The COVID-19 epidemic harmed the propionic acid sector. Global lockdowns and severe rules enforced by governments resulted in a catastrophic setback as most production hubs were shut down. Nonetheless, the business is recovering since 2021 and is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.
- Over the short term, increasing demand for grain preservatives and safe animal feed and a significant increase in adoption in emerging economies are major factors driving the market studied.
- On the flip side, the detrimental effects of propionic acids on human health and environmental concerns regarding herbicides are some factors hindering the growth of the market studied.
- Moreover, novel process development for propionic acid production may provide opportunities for market growth shortly.
- Europe dominated the global propionic acid market, and Asia-Pacific will likely witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period.
Propionic Acid Market Trends
Growing Demand from the Agriculture Industry
- Propionic acid is used as a preservative in animal feed and grain in the agriculture industry. It is also used to sanitize the surfaces where silage and grain are stored.
- In addition, propionic acid is used as an anti-bacterial agent in water, which is used for drinking purposes by livestock. They are even sprayed into poultry litter to kill fungi and bacteria.
- India is the world's second-largest producer of rice, wheat, and other cereals. The massive demand for cereals in the global market is creating an excellent environment for exporting Indian cereal products. According to the fourth advance estimates for 2021-22 by the Ministry of Agriculture of India, the production of major cereals like rice, maize, and bajra stood at 130.29 million tons, 33.62 million tons, and 9.62 million tons, respectively.
- India is the largest producer and exporter of cereal products in the world. According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), India's export of cereals stood at USD 12,808.26 million from 2021-22. Rice (including Basmati and Non-Basmati) occupy the major share in India's total cereals export at 75% (in value terms) during the same period. Whereas other cereals, including wheat, represent only a 25% share of total cereals exported from India during this period.
- According to the published data by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States, feeding a world population of 9.1 billion people in 2050 would require raising food production by around 70%. In developing countries, food production is likely to get double by 2050.
- Such positive growth factors are expected to drive the agriculture sector worldwide, which is expected to augment the consumption of propionic acid in the agriculture sector through the forecast period.
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
Download PDF
Europe to Dominate the Market
- Germany is the major European region's food industry and agriculture sector market. Supported by the ongoing investments in the food industry, the market for propionic acid is likely to grow positively in Europe.
- The food and beverage sector in the region witnessed significant growth over the years, resulting from an increase in government budgets, investment inflows, and food consumption. According to FoodDrink Europe, in Q1 of 2022, food and drink production increased by 3% in Europe in comparison to Q1 of 2021.
- Propanoic acid occurs naturally due to the bacterial fermentation of milk and is partly responsible for the flavor of Swiss cheese. For instance, according to Eurostat, in 2022, cheese production in the EU stood at 10.43 million tons, showing a decrease of 0.5% compared to 2021.
- In cosmetics applications, propionic acid protects products from spoilage by preventing bacterial growth and also facilitates pH control of the cosmetics products. Thus, it is widely adopted in the personal care industry.
- According to Cosmetics Europe, the European cosmetics and personal care market amounted to EUR 88 billion (USD 92.7344 billion) in 2022. It is the largest market for cosmetic products in the world. Thus, growth in this region's cosmetics and personal care industry further boosts the demand for propionic acid.
- Further, Cosmetics Europe stated that, in 2022, the largest national markets for cosmetics and personal care products within Europe are Germany with EUR 14.3 billion (USD 15.06 billion), France with EUR 12.9 billion ( USD 13.59 billion), the United Kingdom with EUR 10.5 billion (USD 11.06 billion), Italy with EUR 11.5 billion (USD 12.11 billion), Spain with EUR 9.3 billion (USD 9.80 billion), and Poland with EUR 4.5 billion(USD 4.74 billion). Moreover, within the European cosmetics market, Germany consumed the largest amount of cosmetics in 2022, valued at approximately EUR 14.3 billion (USD 15.06 billion). Thus the increased market for cosmetics in Europe will likely boost the demand for propionic acid in the region.
- Therefore, such rapid development in the food and beverage and cosmetic and personal care sector in Europe is expected to boost the demand for the propionic acid market during the forecast period.
Get Analysis on Important Geographic Markets
Download PDF
Propionic Acid Industry Overview
The propionic acid market is highly consolidated in nature. Some of the major key players in the market (in no particular order) include BASF SE, Dow, Daicel Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, and Perstorp, among others.
Propionic Acid Market Leaders
-
BASF SE
-
Eastman Chemical Company
-
Dow
-
Perstorp
-
Daicel Corporation
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Need More Details on Market Players and Competiters?
Download PDF
Propionic Acid Market News
- September 2022: BASF SE achieved a Carbon Neutral certification from the Carbon Trust, and now the company is offering propionic acid and neopentyl glycol with zero carbon footprint.
- April 2022: Perstorp plans to build a new carboxylic acid manufacturing plant in Sweden by 2024, adding a production capacity of around 70,000 metric tons per year for naturally occurring carboxylic acids such as Propionic Acid.
Propionic Acid Industry Segmentation
Propionic acid is a colorless liquid with a strong odor, which is miscible with water and a few organic solvents. The other names of propionic liquids include carboxylic acid, ethane-carboxylic acid, carboxy ethane, and ethyl formic acid. Propionic acid is a naturally occurring substance that can be used in essential oils as esters. The propionic acid market is segmented based on application, end-user industry, and geography. The market is segmented by application into animal feed and food preservatives, calcium, ammonium, sodium salts, cellulose acetate propionate, herbicides, plasticizers, and other applications. The end-user industry segments the market into agriculture, food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceutical, and other industries. The report also covers the market size and forecasts for the propionic acid market in 15 countries across major regions. The market sizing and forecasts for each segment are based on volume (Tons).
| Application | Animal Feed and Food Preservatives | ||
| Calcium, Ammonium, and Sodium Salts | |||
| Cellulose Acetate Propionate | |||
| Herbicides | |||
| Plasticizers | |||
| Other Applications | |||
| End-user Industry | Agriculture | ||
| Food and Beverage | |||
| Personal Care | |||
| Pharmaceutical | |||
| Other End-user Industries | |||
| Geography | Asia-Pacific | China | |
| India | |||
| Japan | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| North America | United States | ||
| Canada | |||
| Mexico | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| Italy | |||
| France | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| South America | Argentina | ||
| Brazil | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Middle-East and Africa | Saudi Arabia | ||
| South Africa | |||
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa | |||
Need A Different Region or Segment?
Customize Now
Propionic Acid Market Research FAQs
How big is the Propionic Acid Market?
The Propionic Acid Market size is expected to reach 425.70 kilotons in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 3.31% to reach 500.97 kilotons by 2030.
What is the current Propionic Acid Market size?
In 2025, the Propionic Acid Market size is expected to reach 425.70 kilotons.
Who are the key players in Propionic Acid Market?
BASF SE, Eastman Chemical Company, Dow, Perstorp and Daicel Corporation are the major companies operating in the Propionic Acid Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Propionic Acid Market?
Asia-Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Propionic Acid Market?
In 2025, the Europe accounts for the largest market share in Propionic Acid Market.
What years does this Propionic Acid Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Propionic Acid Market size was estimated at 411.61 kilotons. The report covers the Propionic Acid Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Propionic Acid Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Our Best Selling Reports
Propionic Acid Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Propionic Acid market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Propionic Acid analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
