The oxalic acid market is projected to grow from USD 1 billion in 2025 to USD 1.7 billion by 2035, registering a CAGR of 4.9% over the forecast period. This growth is driven by rising usage in rare earth processing, pharmaceuticals, industrial cleaning, and battery materials. Its strong chelating properties and utility in removing rust and scale have made it indispensable in metal treatment and cleaning formulations.
With the global expansion of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery production, the product is becoming increasingly vital in precursor chemistry. Regulatory compliance with REACH and EPA guidelines has accelerated demand for higher-purity and lower-toxicity variants, especially in food-grade and pharmaceutical applications.Key producers are investing in technological upgrades and circular production models. Krishna Chemicals, a leading player in India, implemented closed-loop crystallization technology in 2024, reducing chemical discharge by 40%. Businesses are also focusing on diversificiation strategies.
Shandong Fengyuan Chemical of China expanded its battery-grade product line, registering a 16% volume uptick in 2024. India Glycols has pivoted to bio-based products derived from sugarcane molasses, reinforcing its sustainability credentials. Leading downstream firms like Pidilite and BASF have increased procurement for adhesives and surface preparation, citing performance and low environmental impact.
Battery-grade applications are poised to represent nearly 30% of global demand by 2035, driven by the EV and energy storage sectors. Industrial metal cleaning and textile processing together will command about 45% share, while pharmaceutical and food-grade applications are forecast to grow steadily due to purity-focused innovation. With rising environmental standards and electrification trends, the product is being repositioned from a commodity to a strategic specialty chemical across industrial value chains.
By grade, the industry is analyzed across standard grade (purity 96% to 99%), technical/pharma grade (purity 99% to 99.9%), and electronic/food grade (purity 99.9% to 99.999%). In terms of application, the study covers bleaching & purifying agents, reducing agents, stain & rust removers, miticide, precipitation agents, and others. By end use, the market is assessed across petrochemicals, water treatment chemicals, metallurgy, textiles & leather, pharmaceuticals, electronics & semiconductors, food, wood pulp, and bee-hiving. Based on region, the industry is divided into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia and Pacific, East Asia, Middle East and Africa.
Based on the analysis, the technical/pharma grade segment (purity 99% to 99.9%) is poised to be the most lucrative in the industry from 2025 to 2035.This segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2%, driven by its critical applications in pharmaceuticals and high-precision chemical synthesis. The increasing demand for high-purity products in drug manufacturing and stringent quality standards in the pharmaceutical industry are key factors contributing to this growth.
The electronic/food grade segment (purity 99.9% to 99.999%) is expected to experience a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the rising use of ultra-pure products in electronics manufacturing and food processing applications, where high purity levels are essential.
The standard gradesegment (purity 96% to 99%) is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.0%.While it holds a significant share due to its widespread use in industrial applications such as metal cleaning and textile processing, its growth is comparatively moderate due to the increasing preference for higher purity grades in advanced applications.
Bleaching & purifying agents will remain the largest and most lucrative application segment in the industry through 2035. Valued at USD 235 million in 2025, the segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.3%, reaching approximately USD 395 million by 2035. This sustained demand is underpinned by product’s unique ability to remove inorganic contaminants, particularly in wood pulp bleaching, rare earth purification, and electronics cleaning. The segment benefits from both volume-driven end-use and regulatory preferences for low-residue, biodegradable agents in industrial and consumer processes.
Reducing agents follow as the second-fastest growing application, projected to expand at a CAGR of 4.9%, driven by product’s use in redox chemistry and metal recovery from ores. The segment was valued at USD 175 million in 2025 and is expected to cross USD 285 million by 2035, driven by higher uptake in textile dyeing and surface treatment formulations.
Stain & rust removers remain a robust volume play with a 2025 industry size of USD 152 million and an anticipated CAGR of 4.5%. Applications in industrial maintenance and household cleaning will keep demand stable, but growth is slower due to commoditization and pricing pressure.
Miticides and precipitation agents are niche segments, each forecast to grow at 3.8% and 3.9% CAGR, respectively. Miticides, used in apiculture and horticulture, offer steady but specialized demand. Precipitation agents are gaining relevance in wastewater treatment and metal extraction processes, though adoption remains capacity-limited.
The 'others' category, comprising specialty reagents and laboratory use, will grow modestly at 3.4% CAGR, limited by lower scalability.
Pharmaceuticals will emerge as the most lucrative end-use segment in the industry between 2025 and 2035. With a projected industry size of USD 148 million in 2025, it is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 5.6%, reaching approximately USD 255 million by 2035. This high-growth trajectory is driven by increasing demand for high-purity products as an intermediate in API synthesis, particularly in emerging industries where drug manufacturing capacity is expanding. Regulatory emphasis on purity and traceability in pharmaceutical production further amplifies the need for pharma-grade products.
Metallurgy follows closely, valued at USD 165 million in 2025 and expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% to reach nearly USD 270 million by 2035. This segment benefits from the product’s utility in metal cleaning, pickling, and rare earth precipitation, particularly relevant in battery and magnet production.
Electronics & semiconductors represent a high-purity niche segment, projected to grow at 4.9% CAGR from USD 108 million in 2025 to USD 175 million by 2035, as chip fabrication processes increasingly demand ultra-pure chemical inputs.
Water treatment chemicals will grow at a steady CAGR of 4.7%, driven by rising global investments in industrial wastewater purification, where oxalic acid is used to chelate heavy metals and remove scale.
Food applications, though more regulated, are expected to post a CAGR of 4.4%, with demand rising for equipment sanitation agents. The segment will grow from USD 85 million in 2025 to around USD 131 million by 2035.
Petrochemicals and textiles & leather segments will see moderate growth at 4.1% and 3.9% respectively, while bee-hiving (miticide applications) and wood pulp bleaching will expand at 3.6% and 3.8%, reflecting specialized but stable usage profiles.
China stands as the global epicenter for production and consumption, anchored by robust industrial ecosystems and domestic demand from metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, and electronics. In 2025, the Chinese industry is projected to reach USD 310 million, driven by vertically integrated manufacturing hubs in Shandong and Jiangsu provinces. These regions not only supply commodity-grade volumes but also lead the transition toward battery-grade and high-purity electronic variants. Government incentives supporting localized supply chains for LFP battery components have accelerated product usage in cathode precursor production.
Environmental compliance remains a major lever China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment has tightened emissions thresholds, compelling producers to invest in closed-loop crystallization and zero-liquid discharge systems. Companies like Shandong Fengyuan Chemical are capitalizing on this policy shift, expanding capacity while meeting low-carbon targets. As China advances toward green manufacturing goals under the "Made in China 2025" strategy, demand for high-purity products will scale further. By 2035, the industry is forecast to reach USD 525 million, growing at a CAGR of 5.4%, fueled by high-tech manufacturing, new energy vehicles, and regulatory-driven upgrades in industrial chemical standards.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| China | 5.4% |
India represents the fastest-growing industry for oxalic acid globally, supported by expanding pharmaceutical production, metal cleaning operations, and water treatment sectors. Valued at USD 130 million in 2025, the Indian industry benefits from both domestic supply strength and increasing downstream demand. Key players like Krishna Chemicals and India Glycols are scaling up high-purity production facilities, often leveraging renewable feedstocks. Policy push from the Central Pollution Control Board has made effluent reduction and cleaner chemistry mandatory, indirectly favoring firms with sustainable oxalic acid solutions.
India's pharmaceutical export ambitions, especially in API production, are boosting the consumption of pharma-grade products. Additionally, industrial users in the automotive and construction sectors rely on the product for precision cleaning and surface treatment.
The government’s Make in India and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for specialty chemicals further catalyze capacity expansion and import substitution. With growing food processing, textile, and water purification sectors, the country is poised to become a significant product exporter as well. The industry is expected to reach USD 240 million by 2035, registering a CAGR of 6.3%, the highest among the top 10 countries.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| India | 6.3% |
The USA industry, valued at USD 105 million in 2025, is driven by high-end demand in pharmaceuticals, food-grade applications, and electronics. Unlike volume-heavy industries, the USA skews toward value-added segments where purity and regulatory compliance are paramount. Stringent oversight by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) shapes usage patterns, pushing adoption of cleaner, high-purity products, particularly in drug manufacturing and food sanitation.
The USA also uses products in niche areas such as beekeeping (as a miticide) and semiconductor cleaning. However, limited domestic production has made the country dependent on imports, especially from Asia. Recent reshoring initiatives, including incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act and CHIPS Act, are prompting localized investments in chemical manufacturing and semiconductor supply chains.
If capacity expands, the industry can reduce import reliance and enhance supply resilience. The USA market is projected to grow to USD 165 million by 2035, registering a steady CAGR of 3.6%, led by premium-grade applications and ongoing regulatory upgrades in industrial processing.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| United States | 3.6% |
Germany’s industry is projected to reach USD 82 million in 2025 and is supported by strong demand from the pharmaceutical, textile, and metallurgical industries. As Europe’s industrial heartland, Germany leverages its product primarily in high-precision cleaning processes, rare earth separation, and as a pharmaceutical intermediate.
Regulatory leadership under the REACH framework ensures that only low-toxicity, high-purity variants are used, especially in pharma and food applications. Domestic manufacturers emphasize green chemistry, with R&D funding from both public and private sectors enabling cleaner production processes. Germany's advanced automotive and semiconductor sectors, including BMW and Infineon, have also contributed to increased use in micro-cleaning and surface preparation.
Additionally, the shift toward sustainable metallurgy in response to EU decarbonization targets supports usage in pickling and refining applications. With sustainability as a strategic pillar under the European Green Deal, the product is poised to benefit from greener industrial transitions. The market is forecast to reach USD 128 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 4.6%.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Germany | 4.6% |
Japan’s industry, valued at USD 74 million in 2025, is characterized by high standards in purity and performance, driven by its mature electronics, semiconductor, and pharmaceutical sectors. Companies like Tokyo Electron and Shin-Etsu Chemical indirectly contribute to the rising demand for electronic-grade products, used in wafer cleaning and etching processes.
Additionally, Japan’s advanced pharmaceutical infrastructure utilizes products as an intermediate for antibiotic synthesis. Regulatory oversight from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ensures tight control over input purity and emission levels, favoring domestic producers with advanced crystallization and filtration technologies.
The ongoing energy transition is also pushing Japanese steelmakers and material scientists to adopt eco-efficient metal cleaning agents, including products, as part of low-emission metallurgy. The domestic industry is further supported by research-driven collaborations between universities and industrial players, accelerating innovation in bio-based products. By 2035, the industry is projected to reach USD 115 million, with a steady CAGR of 4.5%.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Japan | 4.5% |
South Korea’s industry is estimated at USD 62 million in 2025 and is set to expand steadily on the back of its electronics, semiconductor, and fine chemical sectors. The country’s positioning as a global semiconductor leader (via Samsung and SK Hynix) necessitates high-purity chemical inputs, including products for ultra-cleaning and etching processes.
The Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI) has promoted cleaner chemical manufacturing under its green certification framework, leading to increased investment in closed-loop product systems. Pharmaceuticals and food processing sectors also demand regulated, low-residue chemicals, which has sustained demand for food and pharma-grade products.
Additionally, the steel and materials sector uses products for surface preparation and pickling of stainless steel components. With government-led initiatives such as K-New Deal supporting clean tech and localization of chemical supply chains, the industry is projected to reach USD 95 million by 2035, at a CAGR of 3.8%.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| South Korea | 3.8% |
Brazil represents Latin America's product growth engine, valued at USD 58 million in 2025. Growth is primarily driven by water treatment, textiles, and industrial cleaning applications. Brazil’s expanding agrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors also support steady demand for technical-grade products. The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) has implemented new purity benchmarks for excipients and intermediates, nudging importers toward higher-quality variants.
Domestic demand is also rising in the sugar refining and ethanol sectors, where the product is used to purify process lines and descale equipment. As urban water infrastructure upgrades across São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro advance, water treatment chemicals, including products, are in greater demand. Though the country lacks large-scale manufacturing capacity, its position as a value-driven importer will remain strategic. By 2035, the industry is expected to reach USD 90 million, growing at a CAGR of 4.5%.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 4.5% |
The United Kingdom's industry, valued at USD 51 million in 2025, is shaped by regulated applications in pharmaceuticals, beekeeping, and food-grade sanitation. The UK’s Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has endorsed oxalic acid as a legal miticide for beekeeping, creating a consistent, if niche, source of demand. Additionally, the NHS-driven medical supply ecosystem and domestic pharmaceutical packaging sector rely on high-purity inputs, where the product plays a role as a cleaning agent and formulation excipient.
Post-Brexit regulatory alignment under the UK REACH scheme encourages the use of low-toxicity, traceable specialty chemicals, giving domestic manufacturers a slight competitive edge. Water utilities and food processing industries are beginning to adopt the product more widely, aided by updated sanitation standards from the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The UK industry is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.2%, reaching USD 78 million by 2035.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 4.2% |
Russia's industry, estimated at USD 46 million in 2025, is concentrated in metallurgy, rare earth processing, and chemical manufacturing. The country's mining and refining sectors use the product for rare earth precipitation and de-scaling applications. Domestic policies under the Ministry of Industry and Trade have promoted self-sufficiency in specialty chemicals, leading to increased internal sourcing and localized production. However, international sanctions have restricted access to high-grade purification technologies, limiting the scale of battery-grade or food-grade development.
While agricultural demand (including apiculture) remains modest, the country continues to invest in water treatment and industrial hygiene chemicals, indirectly benefiting product demand. Over the forecast period, Russia is expected to register a CAGR of 4.0%, with industry value rising to USD 68 million by 2035, provided trade and regulatory pathways remain relatively stable.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| Russia | 4.0% |
France’s industry is valued at USD 42 million in 2025 and is positioned around pharmaceuticals, textiles, and food-grade sanitation. The AgenceNationale de Sécurité du Médicament (ANSM) has emphasized stricter controls on intermediates and excipients, leading to sustained demand for pharma-grade products. Textile clusters in Lyon and Lille continue to use products in fabric whitening and dye processing.
Moreover, with rising environmental awareness, water treatment facilities in regions like Île-de-France have shifted toward biodegradable chelating agents, including oxalic acid, for scale and heavy metal removal. The French National Strategy for Ecological Transition supports the use of cleaner, bio-based acids in industrial processes. By 2035, France’s industry is projected to grow to USD 65 million, registering a CAGR of 4.5%, supported by policy, precision manufacturing, and food-grade compliance initiatives.
| Country | CAGR (2025 to 2035) |
|---|---|
| France | 4.5% |
The global oxalic acid market features a blend of specialized and large-scale producers, each contributing uniquely to the industry’s supply chain. Mudanjiang Fengda Chemical Co., Ltd., headquartered in China, stands out as a dominant player with a robust manufacturing base and an expansive global distribution network. Known for its volume production, the company serves a wide array of industrial applications. In contrast, Oxaquim S.A. in Spain focuses on high-purity oxalic acid, catering to sectors like pharmaceuticals, electronics, and food processing. Oxaquim’s adherence to stringent quality and sustainability standards has secured its leadership in the European market.
On the specialty end of the spectrum, Merck KGaA in Germany, though not a major volume producer, is highly regarded for its laboratory-grade oxalic acid used in precise pharmaceutical and research applications. Similarly, UBE Industries Ltd. of Japan leverages its diversified chemical expertise to supply oxalic acid for use in textiles, pharmaceuticals, and metal processing, emphasizing innovation and environmental responsibility.
Clariant International Limited, based in Switzerland, integrates oxalic acid into its broader specialty chemicals portfolio, targeting niche, high-value segments with tailored solutions. Together, these companies reflect the market’s dual nature where scale and specialization coexist to meet evolving industrial demands.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Total Market Size (2025) | USD 1 billion |
| Projected Market Size (2035) | USD 1.7 billion |
| CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 4.9% |
| Base Year for Estimation | 2024 |
| Historical Period | 2020 to 2024 |
| Projections Period | 2025 to 2035 |
| Report Parameter | Revenue in USD billion/ Volume in metric tons |
| By Grade | Standard Grade (Purity 96% to 99%), Technical/Pharma Grade (Purity 99% to 99.9%), Electronic/Food Grade (Purity 99.9% to 99.999%) |
| By Application | Bleaching & Purifying Agents, Reducing Agents, Stain & Rust Removers, Miticide , Precipitation Agents, Others |
| By End Use | Petrochemicals, Water Treatment Chemicals, Metallurgy, Textiles & Leather, Pharmaceuticals, Electronics & Semiconductors, Food, Wood Pulp, Bee-hiving |
| Regions Covered | North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia and Pacific, East Asia, Middle East , and Africa |
| Countries Covered | United States, Japan, Germany, India, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Brazil, Canada, South Korea, Australia, Spain, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland |
| Key Players | Mudanjiang Fengda Chemical Co., Ltd., Oxaquim , Merck KGaA , UBE Industries Ltd., Clariant International Limited, Indian Oxalate Limited, Shijiazhuang Taihe Chemical Co., Ltd., Spectrum Chemical Manufacturing Corp., Shandong Fengyuan Chemical Co., Ltd., Penta s.r.o |
| Additional Attributes | Dollar sales by value, market share analysis by region, and country-wise analysis |
| Customization and Pricing | Available on request |
The industry is segmented into standard grade (purity 96%-99%), technical/pharma grade (purity 99%-99.9%), and electronic/food grade (purity 99.9%-99.999%).
The industry is segmented into bleaching & purifying agents, reducing agents, stain & rust removers, miticide, precipitation agents, and others.
The industry is segmented into petrochemicals, water treatment chemicals, metallurgy, textiles & leather, pharmaceuticals, electronics & semiconductors, food, wood pulp, and bee-hiving.
The industry is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South Asia and Pacific, East Asia, and Middle East and Africa.
The global oxalic acid market is projected to grow from USD 1 billion in 2025 to USD 1.7 billion by 2035, expanding at a CAGR of 4.9%, driven by demand in pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, and electronics.
Technical/pharma grade oxalic acid (purity 99%-99.9%) is the fastest-growing segment, expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% due to increased usage in drug synthesis and regulated industrial processes.
China leads global oxalic acid production with an estimated 2025 market value of USD 310 million, supported by domestic demand in LFP batteries and rare earth purification.
Key players in the oxalic acid market include Mudanjiang Fengda Chemical Co. (18% share), Oxaquim S.A. (12%), and UBE Industries Ltd. (8%), dominating through capacity, purity, and global reach.
Pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, and electronics are the top end-use industries for oxalic acid, together accounting for over 60% of global demand by 2035.
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Oxalic Acid Market
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