Acetic Anhydride Market - Forecast from 2026 to 2031

Acetic Anhydride Market, with a 2.51% CAGR, is anticipated to reach USD 3.887 billion in 2031 from USD 3.349 billion in 2025.

Acetic anhydride ((CH3CO)2O) remains the dominant acetylating agent in industrial organic synthesis, characterized by its high reactivity, low freezing point, and ability to deliver clean acetylation with minimal by-products. Commercial production is almost exclusively via the carbonylation of methyl acetate (Eastman/Kodak process) or the ketene route, with capacities heavily concentrated in integrated acetyls chains. The molecule's value chain is tightly linked to downstream cellulose acetate (≈65-70 % of global consumption), pharmaceuticals (≈15-20 %), and specialty intermediates (dyes, fragrances, agrochemicals).

Core Growth Drivers

1. Sustained demand from cellulose acetate Cellulose acetate flake and tow continue to dominate acetic anhydride offtake. Cigarette filter tow retains structural demand despite volume declines in developed markets, while acetate textiles and optical-grade films maintain steady consumption in Asia-Pacific. The material's biodegradability profile positions it favorably against regulatory pressure on persistent plastics, supporting stable-to-growing demand in premium textile and packaging applications.

2. Pharmaceutical intermediates Acetic anhydride is the preferred reagent for O-acetylation and N-acetylation steps in API synthesis, notably aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), paracetamol intermediates, and various analgesics. Rising global healthcare expenditure and generic drug production in emerging markets ensure consistent pharmaceutical-grade demand.

3. Shift toward bio-based and sustainable polymers Cellulose acetate is increasingly marketed as a biodegradable, renewable-origin thermoplastic, aligning with circular-economy initiatives. Growth in molded optical products, high-end textiles, and compostable packaging reinforces acetic anhydride consumption in environmentally positioned value chains.

Regional Dynamics

Asia-Pacific accounts for both the largest production base and fastest-growing consumption region. China hosts the majority of global capacity additions via coal-to-acetyls routes, while India and Southeast Asia drive downstream demand through expanding textile, pharmaceutical, and cigarette manufacturing clusters. The region benefits from cost-competitive feedstock (coal-derived methanol) and integrated acetyls complexes that capture synergies across acetic acid, vinyl acetate, and anhydride production.

North America and Europe maintain mature, high-purity markets focused on pharmaceutical and specialty applications, with limited new capacity additions due to environmental permitting constraints.

Competitive Landscape

Major producers-Celanese, Eastman Chemical, Jubilant Life Sciences, Daicel, and Chinese coal-to-chemical players (Henan Shunda, Shandong Energy)-continue to dominate supply. Backward integration into acetic acid and forward integration into cellulose acetate flake provide significant cost advantages. New capacity remains predominantly Chinese, with coal-based routes offering 15-25 % lower production costs than naphtha/methanol-based assets in other regions.

The acetic anhydride market exhibits resilient demand characteristics driven by non-substitutable applications in cellulose acetate and pharmaceutical synthesis. Asia-Pacific's dual role as low-cost producer and high-growth consumer ensures regional dominance through the decade. While cigarette filter tow faces long-term headwinds in developed markets, offsetting growth in bio-based textiles, optical films, and generic pharmaceuticals sustains overall consumption. Producers with integrated acetyls chains and access to low-cost carbon monoxide feedstock will maintain pricing power in an increasingly consolidated and regionally imbalanced supply landscape.

Key Benefits of this Report:

• Insightful Analysis: Gain detailed market insights covering major as well as emerging geographical regions, focusing on customer segments, government policies and socio-economic factors, consumer preferences, industry verticals, and other sub-segments.
• Competitive Landscape: Understand the strategic maneuvers employed by key players globally to understand possible market penetration with the correct strategy.
• Market Drivers & Future Trends: Explore the dynamic factors and pivotal market trends and how they will shape future market developments.
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Report Coverage:

• Historical data from 2021 to 2025 & forecast data from 2026 to 2031
• Growth Opportunities, Challenges, Supply Chain Outlook, Regulatory Framework, and Trend Analysis
• Competitive Positioning, Strategies, and Market Share Analysis
• Revenue Growth and Forecast Assessment of segments and regions including countries
• Company Profiling (Strategies, Products, Financial Information), and Key Developments among others.

Global Acetic Anhydride Market is analyzed into the following segments:

• By Form
• Powder
• Liquid
• By Application
• Synthesizer
• Coating Material
• Dyes & Inks
• Plasticizers
• Others
• By End-User
• Agriculture
• Textiles
• Laundry & Cleaning
• Pharmaceuticals
• Building & Construction
• Others
• By Geography
• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Italy
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Israel
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Indonesia
• Thailand
• Others