The nitric acid market includes the production, supply, and uses of nitric acid (HNO₃), a compound crucial in the production of fertilizers, explosives, chemicals, as well as applications in metal processing and pharmaceuticals.
Demand is driven by growing application of ammonium nitrate fertilizers, increasing use of nitric acid in explosives in mining and construction, and growing utilization of specialty chemicals and polymers sector. In addition, nitric acid manufacturing process advancements and stringent environmental regulations regarding nitrogen oxide emissions further propel the market trends.
In 2025, the global nitric acid market is projected to reach approximately USD 32,716.9 million, with expectations to grow to around USD 43,543.8 million by 2035, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.9% during the forecast period.
The projected CAGR underpins the continuous use of nitric acid for agriculture and industrial applications, increased adoption of green manufacturing processes for nitric acid-produced technologies and expansions into emerging markets for both industrial chemicals, and explosives manufacture.
High consumption of nitric acid in fertilizer, explosive, and chemical industries has a considerable market share for nitric acid in the North American region. USA and Canada are leaders in agricultural ammonium nitrate and industrial nitric acid for metallurgy/metals, electronics processing. Strict environmental regulations are also paving the way for low-emission production technologies for nitric acid in the region.
In terms of fertilizer production, chemical synthesis, and environmentally friendly nitric acid production, Europe represents the significant share of the market, with Germany, France, and the United Kingdom leading the way.
Tightened regulations in the European Union involving nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, driving the demand for green technologies required for nitric acid manufacturing. Demand for nitric acid is also being driven by increased investment in the specialty chemicals and polymer industries.
The nitric acid market is expected to experience the fastest growth in the Asia-Pacific, due to the rising requirements for fertilizers as well as industrialization and exploration and manufacture of explosives in China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Asia-Pacific will be the largest consumer of nitric acid, powered by increased infrastructure and construction, leading to growth in explosives and metal treatment applications. Moreover, policies to maintain agricultural productivity as well as increase in the growth of the sector chemical further aid in the market growth.
Challenges
Environmental Regulations and Raw Material Price Volatility
Tight environmental controls governing the emission of nitrogen oxide (NOx) during the manufacture of nitric acid pose a threat to the Nitric Acid Market. Governments around the world - including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) - are implementing tougher emissions control regulations that increase compliance costs for manufacturers. Moreover, the major volatility of raw material prices, especially for ammonia, a critical feedstock used to manufacture nitric acid, impacts the stability and profitability of the market.
Opportunities
Growth in Fertilizers, Explosives, and Specialty Chemicals
Despite regulatory hurdles, demand is driven by an increase in usage for fertilizers in particular ammonium nitrate used in agriculture. It also has increasing applications in explosives (TNT), mining, and industrial processes, such as treatment of metals and chemical synthesis.
Furthermore, advances in low-carbon technologies for nitric acid production, integration with green ammonia, and nitric acid recycling technology pave the way for new growth opportunities. If bio-based fertilisers and niche applications in aerospace and electronics open up further market areas.
Demand within agriculture and industry remained either consistent or positive, however environmental pressure, supply chain disruption and regulatory pressure diminished production efficiency between 2020 to 2024. The expansion of low-carbon ammonia and catalytic reduction processes have helped industries in curbing emissions from nitric acid.
From 2025 to 2035, focus will move to sustainable production of nitric acid, sustainable processes for the production of green ammonia and stringent NOx emission control technologies. AI-based process optimization, electrochemical production process (for example, carbon dioxide conversion), catalytic decomposition will improve production efficiency and reduce environmental footprint. Semiconductor etching, pharmaceutical intermediates, as well as expanding bio-based industrial applications will contribute to the diversified demand from the market.
Market Shifts: A Comparative Analysis 2020 to 2024 vs. 2025 to 2035
| Market Shift | 2020 to 2024 Trends |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Compliance with EPA, REACH, and industrial emissions regulations |
| Technology Innovations | Adoption of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for NOx reduction |
| Market Adoption | Growth in fertilizers, explosives, and industrial applications |
| Sustainability Trends | Transition toward low-emission production methods |
| Market Competition | Dominated by key chemical manufacturers (Yara, CF Industries, BASF, OCI Nitrogen, LSB Industries, Hanwha) |
| Consumer Trends | Demand for agricultural fertilizers, metal processing, and explosives |
| Market Shift | 2025 to 2035 Projections |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Landscape | Stricter carbon-neutral and NOx emission reduction policies for nitric acid plants |
| Technology Innovations | Advancements in green ammonia-based nitric acid production and AI-driven process control |
| Market Adoption | Expansion into semiconductor manufacturing, specialty chemicals, and bio-based synthesis |
| Sustainability Trends | Large-scale adoption of carbon capture, circular economy models, and low-carbon nitric acid alternatives |
| Market Competition | Rise of sustainable chemical startups, AI-driven process optimization firms, and bio-based nitric acid producers |
| Consumer Trends | Growth in eco-friendly fertilizers, precision agriculture, and high-purity nitric acid for pharmaceuticals and electronics |
The United States nitric acid market is witnessing moderate growth, driven by increasing demand in the fertilizer, chemical, and explosives industries. This is largely driven by the agriculture industry, which uses ammonium nitrate fertilizers, as well as steady demand from the defense and mining industries.
Producers are being forced to convert to cleaner production methods due to strict environmental constraints regarding nitrogen oxide emissions. In addition to this, continuous investment in manufacturing and chemical infrastructure supporting market growth.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| USA | 3.1% |
UK nitric acid in the agricultural and chemical manufacturing industryThe UK Nitric Acid market is growing at a steady pace with the highest usages in UK Nitric Acid demanding agriculture and chemical manufacturing industry. The growth of the market is driven by increasing application of nitric acid in the manufacture of specialty chemicals and industrial applications.
Market dynamics go well with greenhouse gas emission regulation processes that prefer environment-friendly raw production techniques. Moreover, the presence of major chemical manufacturers along with steady R&D activities in nitrogen-based chemicals are augmenting the market growth.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| UK | 2.7% |
EU nitric acid market - Industry Analysis European Nitric Acid market size was USD XX Billion in 2019 for theFiscal year. Stricter EU emissions and waste management regulations are driving industries to adopt cleaner nitric acid production technologies.
Significant chemical production centers in Germany, France, and the Netherlands stretch out to the prominent markets. Additionally, increasing production of specialty chemicals in the market, along with their expanded use in the production of polymers, are also supporting the market growth.
| Region | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| EU | 2.6% |
As a result, nitric acid industry in Japan is also developing with a growing demand from electronics, automotive, and chemicals places. A robust domestic semiconductor and specialty chemicals industries are driving demand for high-purity nitric acid for etching and industrial application.
Japan is focusing on eco-friendly chemical manufacturing, as well as technology advancements in nitric acid recycling. The rising use of nitric acid in automotive coatings and precision manufacturing also supports the growth of the market.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 2.9% |
Progressive development of South Korea's semiconductor, electronics, and fertilizer businesses is creating a favorable scenario for the Nitric Acid market in the country. Increasing usage for high-purity nitric acid in the production of microelectronics are some of the major factors driving the growth of the market.
Demand is also bolstering due to the government policies promoting eco-friendly industrial processes and investments in chemical manufacturing units. Market growth is also being fueled by South Korea's large presence in the automotive and special chemicals industry.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 2.8% |
Fertilizers mainly nitrogens are the strongest driving force for the nitric acid market growth, leading end users are when used in ammonium nitrate and urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) solutions, one of the most common nitrogen chemical fertilizers used for the treatment of crop field, soil and green agriculture. It is vitally important in the nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing industry, which is necessary for producing enough crop plant yields, proper soil and nutrient absorption in agricultural productivity.
Adoption of nitric acid in fertilizer production is majorly driven by the rising global demands for food security and efficient fertilizers. This further indicates a decline of cultivable land and a greater need for high-yield farming as the world population continues to increase keeping the nitrogen fertilizers market requirements growing and nitric acid regular consumption in agriculture sector stable.
Additionally, improved use of precision farming and controlled-release fertilizers and their increased adoption has spurred research into nitric acid-based formulations that actively provide nutrients with reduced environmental considerations. But at present time, most of the farm firms applying stabilized ammonium nitrate fertilizers for achieving higher nitrogen use efficiency and minimizing nitrogen loss through leaching or volatilization.
Nitric acid-based fertilizing materials can have advantages, but they also suffer from environmental problems of nitrogen runoff, greenhouse gas emissions and soil acidification. Consequently, producers are turning towards sustainable fertilizer solutions such as low-emission manufacturing technologies, nitrate recycling systems and environmentally conscious fertilizer products to ensure the future viability of nitric acid for agricultural use.
Nitrobenzene, one of the biggest derivatives of nitric acid, is a key chemical for the chemical manufacturing industries, as it is not only the precursor of aniline manufacturing, but also precedes dyes and agrochemicals. It is a compound of high reactivity comparatively of the aromatic subgroup and finds its application in medicine manufacturing, treatment of rubber, synthetic chemicals, etc. and many industrial applications of processes based on nitric acid.
However, nitrobenzene production is suffering from its own obstacles such as toxicity, environmental regulation and disposal difficulties despite the increased utilization of nitrobenzene in the chemical industry. In response to these challenges, manufacturers are adopting greener chemistry technologies, cleaner production systems, and improved waste management mechanisms which allow for the sustainable production of nitrobenzene with less associated emissions with nitric acid.
Increasing need of lightweight, high-strength nylon-based products across the automotive, electronics, and industrial sectors is among one of the significant driving factors for the adoption of adipic acid. Airbag textiles, tire reinforcement and automotive under-hood applications benefit from nylon resins based on adipic acid in performance, heat resistance and durability with many manufacturers.
A major factor driving the adoption of adipic acid in automotive, electronics, and industrial segments is the rising demand for lightweight as well as high-strength nylon-based materials. MICROTAN is an innovative engineering solution for airbag fabrics, tire reinforcement and automotive under-the-hood components where performance, heat resistance and durability is a must and can be easily achieved with nylon resins derived from adipic acid.
The broad-market versatility of adipic acid, however, extends well beyond the industrial polymer application, as it is also used as a food additive, pH regulator, and gelling agent in food processing applications. Food manufacturers use ninth-page adipic acid in gelatin-based desserts, beverage acidulants, and confectionery formulations to achieve stability and enhanced taste profiles.
Even though it has various uses, adipic acid production causes greenhouse gas emissions, specifically nitrous oxide (N₂O), a strong climate pollutant. Chemical manufacturers are working towards eco-sustainable polymer production, with innovative adipic acid production methodologies, bio-sourced synthetic routes, and emissions reduction systems.
One important class of nitric acid derivatives of industrial and consumer value is the toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a major raw material in polyurethane foam manufacture. Due to its significance in manufacturing flexible and rigid polyurethane foam, TDI has a wide field of application, such as in furniture, mattresses, automotive seats, and insulation materials.
The rapid expansion of various polyurethane morphologies that are based on TDI as a feedstock is a driving force for TDI adoption in the marketplace.
The purity of TDI gives it benefits, such as its effectiveness, but the production process is laden with toxic and hazardous chemicals, resulting in strict regulatory controls over emissions and employee safety. In response to such risk, manufacturers are implementing enhanced reaction control technologies, installing emission capture technologies, and utilizing alternative diisocyanate formulations, thereby minimizing the much-neededals required to produce polyurethane.
The nitric acid market is on a steady increasing pattern with wider applications of Nitric Acid in fertilizers, explosives, chemicals, Metallurgy, and Pharmaceuticals. Key uses for nitric acid include the production of ammonium nitrate, adipic acid, and nitrobenzene and specialty nitrates. Growing agricultural fertilizer demand, expanding mining and defense industries, and increasing utilization in industrial chemical synthesis are the key factors responsible for the growth of Cement Market.
Market Share Analysis by Key Players
| Company/Organization Name | Estimated Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Yara International ASA | 18-22% |
| CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | 14-18% |
| BASF SE | 12-16% |
| LSB Industries, Inc. | 10-14% |
| Nutrien Ltd. | 8-12% |
| Others | 26-32% |
| Company/Organization Name | Key Offerings/Activities |
|---|---|
| Yara International ASA | Produces high-purity nitric acid for fertilizers, explosives, and industrial applications. |
| CF Industries Holdings, Inc. | Specializes in nitric acid for ammonium nitrate production and agrochemical applications. |
| BASF SE | Develops technical and high-concentration nitric acid for chemical and metallurgical industries. |
| LSB Industries, Inc. | Manufactures industrial and commercial-grade nitric acid for defense, mining, and pharmaceutical uses. |
| Nutrien Ltd. | Supplies nitric acid for fertilizer and agrochemical production with a focus on sustainable solutions. |
Key Market Insights
Yara International ASA (18-22%)
Yara dominates the nitric acid market with large-scale production capabilities for fertilizer manufacturing, explosives, and chemical synthesis applications.
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (14-18%)
CF Industries is a key supplier of nitric acid for ammonium nitrate production, serving agriculture and mining industries.
BASF SE (12-16%)
BASF develops high-concentration nitric acid for technical and industrial applications, including polyurethane intermediates and plastics.
LSB Industries, Inc. (10-14%)
LSB specializes in commercial and military-grade nitric acid, catering to the explosives, mining, and defense industries.
Nutrien Ltd. (8-12%)
Nutrien focuses on sustainable nitric acid solutions, supplying agrochemical producers with high-purity nitric acid.
Other Key Players (26-32% Combined)
Several emerging and regional players are strengthening the nitric acid market with affordable and specialized production solutions, including:
The overall market size for nitric acid market was USD 32,716.9 million in 2025.
The nitric acid market is expected to reach USD 43,543.8 million in 2035.
Growing demand for fertilizers in agriculture, increasing use in explosives and mining, and expanding applications in chemicals and pharmaceuticals will drive market growth.
The top 5 countries which drives the development of Nitric acid market are USA, European Union, Japan, South Korea and UK.
Adipic acid expected to grow to command significant share over the assessment period.
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Nitric Acid Market
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