Formaldehyde Global Market Report 2026

Formaldehyde is a colorless, pungent, and irritating gas represented by CH2O, and a solution of it is produced by oxidizing methanol. It is employed as a preservative in food, paints, and cosmetics. Additionally, formaldehyde is utilized in the manufacturing of under-the-hood components and interior molded components that require resilience to high temperatures.

The primary types of formaldehyde include urea-formaldehyde, phenol-formaldehyde, melamine-formaldehyde, polyoxymethylene, and other variations. Urea-formaldehyde is a synthetic resin created through the condensation process between urea and formaldehyde, primarily used in wood-bonding adhesives, colored molded articles, and similar applications. Formaldehyde finds various applications in resins, fibers, solvents, plasticizers, drying agents, and other chemical intermediates. These applications cater to diverse end-users such as construction, furniture, automotive, healthcare, and other sectors.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are impacting the formaldehyde market by increasing costs of imported methanol, catalysts, resins, and processing equipment. Construction and automotive sectors in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on cross-border chemical supply chains, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressures on export-oriented resin production. These tariffs are raising raw material costs and affecting downstream pricing. However, they are also encouraging domestic production, feedstock integration, and development of low-emission formaldehyde-based products.

The formaldehyde market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides formaldehyde market statistics, including formaldehyde industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a formaldehyde market share, detailed formaldehyde market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the formaldehyde industry. This formaldehyde 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 formaldehyde market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $23.68 billion in 2025 to $25.56 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of construction and furniture manufacturing, growth in resin-based composites, rising automotive interior production, increased use of preservatives and binders, availability of methanol feedstock.

The formaldehyde market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $34.08 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for low-toxicity formulations, rising adoption of formaldehyde alternatives and blends, expansion of lightweight automotive materials, growing investments in emission control technologies, increasing regulatory oversight on chemical safety. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of low-emission resins, rising demand for engineered wood products, growing application in automotive molded components, expansion of high-performance thermoset resins, enhanced focus on product safety compliance.

Growing demand from the construction industry is expected to propel the growth of the formaldehyde market going forward. Construction refers to the process of building, altering, repairing, remodeling, improving, or demolishing any structures. Formaldehyde supports the construction industry through its use in manufacturing glues, resins, and other essential building materials. For instance, in July 2024, according to the Bureau of National Statistics, a Kazakhstan-based government agency, the total value of construction services in 2023 reached 7,612.8 billion tenge, marking a 15.1% increase compared to 2022. Therefore, the growing demand from the construction industry is driving the growth of the formaldehyde market.

The increasing demand in the automotive industry is expected to propel the growth of the formaldehyde market going forward. The automotive industry refers to the collective group of companies, organizations, and activities involved in the design, development, manufacturing, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles. Formaldehyde-based adhesives and resins can be used in the manufacturing of composite materials, contribute to the production of durable and sturdy interior components, insulation, emission control, and used in the textile and leather industries for certain automotive interior components. For instance, according to MarkLines, a Japan-based provider of forecast reports of the automotive industry, in October 2023, auto sales in the USA increased by 2.0% compared to October 2022. The new vehicle sales volume for the month of October 2023 was 1,211,141 units, which represented a 2.0% increase from October 2022. Therefore, the increasing automotive industry is driving the growth of the formaldehyde market.

Major companies operating in the formaldehyde market are expanding their manufacturing facilities to boost production capacity. This strategic move allows them to meet the rising demand for formaldehyde across various industries. For instance, in September 2024, Kanoria Chemicals & Industries Limited, a India-based chemical manufacturer, opened a new formaldehyde plant in Ankleshwar, Gujarat, with a production capacity of 345 metric tons per day (MTPD), bringing the company's total output to 763 MTPD. The facility employs advanced metal oxide-based technology to cater to the growing demand from industries like pharmaceuticals, textiles, and agrochemicals, serving both domestic and international markets.

Major companies operating in the formaldehyde market are BASF SE, Johnson Matthey Process Technologies, Celanese Corporation, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC, Huntsman International LLC, Hexion Inc., Allnex GmbH, Perstorp Holding AB, Acron Group, Arclin Inc., Atul Ltd., Momentive Specialty Chemical Inc., Prefere Resins Holding GmbH, Sprea Misr, Cornerstone Chemical, Metafrax, Metadynea Metafrax Group, Kanoria Chemicals & Industries Ltd., Dynea Oy, Foremark Performance Chemicals, Pacific Texchem Private Limited, Frati Luigi S.p.A, Balaji Formalin Private Limited, Alder S.p.A, Simalin Chemicals Industries Limited

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the formaldehyde market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the formaldehyde market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the formaldehyde market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The formaldehyde market consists of sales of molecular formaldehyde, 1,3,5-trioxaneand methanediol. 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.

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.

Formaldehyde Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses formaldehyde market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for formaldehyde ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The formaldehyde market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Urea Formaldehyde; Phenol Formaldehyde; Melamine Formaldehyde; Polyoxymethylene; Other Types
• 2) By Application: Resins; Fibers; Solvents; Plasticizers; Drying Agents; Other Chemical Intermediates
• 3) By End-User: Construction; Furniture; Automotive; Healthcare; Other End-Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Urea Formaldehyde: Urea Formaldehyde Resins; Urea Formaldehyde Foam
• 2) By Phenol Formaldehyde: Phenolic Resins; Laminates
• 3) By Melamine Formaldehyde: Melamine Resins; Coatings
• 4) By Polyoxymethylene: POM Copolymers; POM Homopolymers
• 5) By Other Types: Paraformaldehyde; Formaldehyde Solutions
• Companies Mentioned: BASF SE; Johnson Matthey Process Technologies; Celanese Corporation; Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC; Huntsman International LLC; Hexion Inc.; Allnex GmbH; Perstorp Holding AB; Acron Group; Arclin Inc.; Atul Ltd.; Momentive Specialty Chemical Inc.; Prefere Resins Holding GmbH; Sprea Misr; Cornerstone Chemical; Metafrax; Metadynea Metafrax Group; Kanoria Chemicals & Industries Ltd.; Dynea Oy; Foremark Performance Chemicals; Pacific Texchem Private Limited; Frati Luigi S.p.A; Balaji Formalin Private Limited; Alder S.p.A; Simalin Chemicals Industries Limited
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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