Nitric Acid Market Report 2025

The nitric acid market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $22.22 billion in 2024 to $22.87 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increase in agricultural demand, infrastructure development, population growth, production of explosives, changes in environmental regulations.

The nitric acid market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $26.9 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increase in sustainable practices, rise in demand for electronics, advancements in renewable energy, rise in water treatment, urbanization. Major trends in the forecast period include shift towards green nitric acid, digitalization, customized nitric acid solutions, collaboration for innovation, hybrid production processes.

The anticipated growth in the agricultural sector is poised to propel the expansion of the nitric acid market. The agricultural sector, encompassing activities related to land cultivation, crop harvesting, and livestock rearing, is experiencing increasing demand for nitric acid. Nitric acid plays a crucial role in the production of ammonium nitrate fertilizers, contributing essential nitrogen to enhance crop growth and yield. Additionally, it serves as a soil amendment for pH adjustment, further augmenting its significance in agriculture. As reported by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in June 2022, achieving the zero-hunger target would necessitate a 28% increase in agricultural productivity over the next decade. Furthermore, global crop production is expected to rise by 87% by the year 2030. Consequently, the ongoing expansion of the agricultural sector stands as a key driver fueling the growth of the nitric acid market.

The predominant trend in the nitric acid market is the development of cutting-edge technologies aimed at enhancing production efficiency. The increasing use of chemicals such as nitric acid and nitrates in fertilizers has been linked to the alarming rise in global warming. Recognizing this, major players in the market are focusing on innovating new technologies to reduce nitrates used in fertilizers. For instance, in May 2022, LUNA INNOVATIONS, Inc., a US-based provider of sensing, testing, and measurement solutions, introduced the LuNOX process. This innovative process is designed to improve plant production by significantly reducing the energy and infrastructure costs associated with nitrate fertilizer production. Notably, it aims to benefit farmers by lowering fertilizer costs and the general public through reduced energy usage and decreased greenhouse gas emissions. The introduction of such technologies is a critical step in addressing environmental concerns and contributing to the reduction of global warming.

Major companies operating in the nitric acid market are increasingly prioritizing strategic collaborations to deliver reliable services to their customers. Strategic collaboration involves mutually beneficial partnerships between independent entities working together to achieve shared goals aligned with their respective strategic objectives. A notable example of such collaboration occurred in February 2023 when Rotating Machinery Services Inc., a US-based aftermarket engineering and services company, announced a partnership with Howden Maintenance Partners, a Belgium-based maintenance and repair services company. This collaboration between Rotating Machinery Services (RMS) and Howden Maintenance Partners (HMP) is aimed at enhancing the servicing of hot gas and nitric acid expanders in the Europe and Middle East (EMENA) region. Leveraging RMS's expertise in Hot Gas Expanders and HMP's local repair capabilities, the partnership seeks to provide customers with improved reliability, maintainability, and performance for Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) and Nitric Acid Expanders. The collaboration establishes a European center of excellence for expander services, demonstrating a joint commitment to delivering enhanced solutions in the nitric acid market.

In December 2023, Yara International ASA, a Norwegian chemicals company, successfully completed the acquisition of Agribios Italiana's organic-based fertilizer business for an undisclosed sum. This strategic move by Yara reinforces its presence in the European market, positioning the company to broaden its portfolio in support of regenerative agriculture. The acquisition allows Yara to play a pivotal role in improving soil health and aligning with the European Union's objective of expanding organic farming practices. Agribios Italiana, an Italy-based chemical manufacturing company specializing in organic and organo-mineral fertilizers, adds valuable expertise and resources to Yara's expanding capabilities.

Major companies operating in the nitric acid market include BASF SE, Yara International ASA, CF Industries Holdings Inc., Nutrien Ltd., The Dow Chemical Company, LSB Industries Inc., Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd., Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers Ltd., Grupa Azoty S.A., OCI N.V., EuroChem Group AG, Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited, Thyssenkrupp AG, Dyno Nobel Pty Limited, Hanwha Corporation, Dupont de Nemours Inc., Apache Nitrogen Products Inc., Enaex S.A., Sasol Limited, UBE Industries Ltd., Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd., TogliattiAzot, Qatar Fertiliser Company, Orica Limited, Koch Fertilizer LLC, SBU Azot, Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. (Petrobras), Sichuan Meifeng Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., Haifa Group, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc.

Europe was the largest region in the nitric acid market in 2024. The regions covered in the nitric acid market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the nitric acid market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The nitric acid market consists of sales of fuming nitric acid and anhydrous nitric acid. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

Nitric acid is a reddish fume, presenting itself as a pale yellow to reddish-brown liquid, and it produces red-brown fumes through the oxidation of ammonia. This chemical compound serves as a vital raw material for the production of fertilizers and explosives. In the automotive and fertilizer industries, nitric acid finds extensive use for diverse manufacturing purposes.

The primary types of nitric acid include concentrated nitric acid and dilute nitric acid. Concentrated nitric acid is a potent oxidizing agent typically stored in dark brown bottles to prevent photolytic decomposition of dinitrogen tetroxide. It is utilized in manufacturing processes to avoid spontaneous explosions. Various applications of concentrated nitric acid include its use in the production of fertilizers, nitrobenzene, adipic acid, toluene diisocyanate (TDI), nitrochlorobenzene, and other compounds across industries such as explosives, agrochemicals, electronics, automotive, and more.

The nitric acid market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides nitric acid market statistics, including the nitric acid industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with a nitric acid market share, detailed nitric acid market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the nitric acid industry. This nitric acid market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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