Sodium Formate Market By Industry Verticals (Food & Beverage, Textile), Application (Food Additives, Catalysts), & Region for 2026-2032

Sodium Formate Market Valuation - 2026-2032

The widespread usage of sodium formate in a variety of industries has contributed to its rising demand. One of the most common applications of sodium formate is de-icing, especially in colder climes. As infrastructure projects such as airports, highways, and bridges grow, particularly in North America and Europe, sodium formate's ability to lower water's freezing point makes it an efficient de-icing agent. This, paired with its environmental friendliness compared to traditional chloride-based de-icers has increased demand by enabling the market to surpass a revenue of USD 136.09 Million valued in 2024 and reach a valuation of around USD 195.37 Million by 2032.

The leather industry is another significant growing driver for sodium formate demand. Sodium formate which serves as a tanning agent and pH regulator is crucial in the production of high-quality leather products. As urbanization and disposable income levels rise, particularly in Asia-Pacific nations, consumer demand for leather items rises, growing the market for sodium formate by enabling the market to grow at a CAGR of 5.10% from 2026 to 2032.

Sodium Formate Market: Definition/ Overview

Sodium formate (HCOONa) is the sodium salt of formic acid. It appears as a white, crystalline powder that is very soluble in water. Because of its capacity to lower the freezing point of water, sodium formate is commonly used as a de-icing agent, particularly on airport runways and roadways in cold climates.

Sodium formate is widely used in a variety of industries due to its flexible qualities. In the de-icing industry, it is an environmentally friendly alternative to regular salts. Its capacity to lower the freezing point of water makes it extremely effective at preventing ice accumulation on highways, airport runways, and sidewalks, especially in cold winter climates.

The growing emphasis on sustainability and environmental preservation is projected to encourage increased use of sodium formate. In the oil and gas business, it is increasingly employed as a component in drilling fluids to stabilize shale formations and reduce fluid loss. As worldwide oil exploration activities increase, demand for sodium formate is likely to climb.

Will the Expansion of the Leather Industry due to the Increased Adoption of Sodium Formate Drive the Market?

The worldwide leather industry's growth is a significant driver for the sodium formate market, especially given its importance in leather tanning processes. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the leather sector has grown significantly with the global leather trade value expected to reach $170.8 billion by 2022. According to the China Leather Industry Association, China's leather industry income increased by 8.2% per year between 2017 and 2022 with over 700 million square meters of leather processed each year. The growing use of sodium formate in leather tanning is motivated by its efficiency as a penetrating agent and its environmental friendliness when compared to traditional chrome tanning processes.

According to the International Trade Centre (ITC), the worldwide leather footwear market is predicted to grow to 24.65 billion pairs by 2025 demanding more leather processing. According to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), around 85% of leather manufacturers are now using more environmentally friendly tanning agents such as sodium formate-based solutions, a 40% increase over 2015. Furthermore, the European Union's REACH legislation supporting environmentally friendly tanning options has resulted in a 25% increase in sodium formate use in European tanneries since 2018.

Will the Growing Environmental Concerns Hamper the Sodium Formate Market?

Growing environmental concerns may present substantial hurdles for the sodium formate market notably in terms of manufacturing and waste management. Sodium formate while commonly utilized in applications such as de-icing and leather tanning has environmental risks when discharged into ecosystems. Its runoff, particularly from de-icing operations, can harm aquatic life by modifying water chemistry and reducing biodiversity in freshwater systems. Furthermore, its production frequently uses energy-intensive methods that contribute to carbon emissions.

The market may face limits as awareness and laws about the environmental implications of chemical use in industries such as leather tanning and oil drilling where sodium formate is used, to grow. Waste containing sodium formate must be disposed of properly to avoid ecological damage, especially in countries where environmental protection rules are growing increasingly rigorous. Such legislative constraints may compel businesses to invest in greener alternatives or adopt policies that raise operational costs.

Category-Wise Acumens

Will the Increasing Usage of Organic Acid Foods Drive Growth in the Industry Vertical Segment?

The food and beverage industry dominated the global sodium formate market accounting for more than 25% of the total market share. This leadership is likely to continue in the next years owing to the increasing demand for sodium formate as a feed-acidifying ingredient, particularly in swine and poultry feed. Sodium formate's importance in maintaining balanced electrolytes in animal feed is becoming increasingly recognized making it an important component for improving livestock health and productivity.

Rising demand for organic acid meals and food additives is expected to increase the sodium formate market. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies sodium formate as an indirect food additive for animal feed emphasizing its importance in the animal husbandry industry. Furthermore, sodium formate's ability to preserve the quality of food and beverages by acting as an efficient acidulant increases its appeal throughout the food supply chain bolstering its long-term commercial potential.

Will the Growing Focus on Infrastructure Resilience and Safety Drive the Application Segment?

De-icing agents dominate the application segments because of their importance in cold-weather infrastructure. Because of its capacity to efficiently lower the freezing point of water, sodium formate is suitable for deicing highways, runways, and sidewalks, particularly in cold winter climates. Compared to alternatives such as chloride-based salts, sodium formate is less corrosive to automobiles and infrastructure and more environmentally friendly lowering the overall environmental impact of de-icing. This advantage has resulted in widespread adoption in regions with significant snowfall contributing to its market dominance.

The rising emphasis on infrastructure resilience and safety reinforces the usage of sodium formate as a deicing agent. Government legislation supporting safer, environmentally friendly de-icing technologies has pushed the usage of sodium formate instead of more hazardous chemicals. The growing emphasis on maintaining transportation safety in snowy conditions has driven up demand for this application, particularly in Europe and North America. Other applications such as catalysts and chemical intermediates, are essential but they do not compare to the magnitude and requirement of sodium formate in de-icing cementing its position as the market leader.

Country/Region-wise Acumens

Will Advanced Chemical Industry Infrastructure Drive the Market in the European Region?

Europe dominates the worldwide sodium formate market owing to its modern chemical industry infrastructure and rigorous environmental regulations that promote eco-friendly de-icing methods. Germany, in particular, dominates the regional market with its strong chemical production capabilities and sustainable development initiatives. A major driver of the European sodium formate market is its widespread use as an environmentally friendly de-icing agent for airports and roads. According to the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), there are over 500 commercial airports in Europe with an annual de-icing chemical use of almost 1.5 million tons.

The increasing oil and gas sector is another important driver, as sodium formate is commonly used in drilling fluids. According to the European Commission's energy data, EU oil and gas exploration operations increased by 15% between 2019 and 2023 increasing demand for drilling chemicals. Furthermore, the rise of the chemical manufacturing industry has fueled market growth. Eurostat figures reveal that the EU's chemical industry production expanded by 3.2% each year between 2016 and 2023 with Germany's chemical sector alone producing more than €190 billion in sales in 2022.

Will Consumers Growing Preference for Comfortable and Durable Clothing Drive the Market in the North American Region?

The North American sodium formate market is rapidly expanding with textile applications emerging as the fastest-growing segment due to rising consumer demand for comfortable, durable, and sustainable clothing. This rise is fueled by rising disposable income and shifting fashion preferences in the United States and Canada. The textile industry's demand for sodium formate which is largely utilized in dyeing and printing operations has increased significantly in response to rising clothing consumption. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American household spent USD 1,833 on clothes and services in 2021, up 22.3% from 2020.

Another important factor driving the sodium formate industry is the shift toward sustainable and long-lasting garments. According to research released by the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, 69% of US customers now value sustainability in their clothing purchases, and 61% are prepared to pay more for sustainable apparel options. Furthermore, according to data from the United States Department of Commerce, domestic textile and garment shipments totaled USD 64.4 Billion in 2020, with a major chunk using advanced chemical treatments.

Competitive Landscape

The Sodium Formate Market is a dynamic and competitive space, characterized by a diverse range of players vying for market share. These players are on the run for solidifying their presence through the adoption of strategic plans such as collaborations, mergers, acquisitions, and political support. The organizations are focusing on innovating their product line to serve the vast population in diverse regions.

Some of the prominent players operating in the sodium formate market include:

Perstorp Holding AB

Chongqing Chuandong Chemical (Group) Co., Ltd.

Shanxi Zhaoyi Chemical Co., Ltd.

Qingdao Jiashidi Seaweed Co., Ltd.

Hengyang Jianheng Industry Development Co., Ltd.

Formic Acid & Derivatives (Zibo) Co., Ltd.

Niacet Corporation

Huayi Chemical Co., Ltd.

Shanxi Fengxiang Chemical Co., Ltd.

Haihang Industry Co., Ltd.

Latest Developments

In July 2021, Vertellus, a specialty chemicals firm that makes sodium formate, made acquisitions to strengthen its market position. The company's strategic acquisitions are aimed at expanding its product portfolio and market access, particularly in the developing leather and chemical industries where sodium formate plays an important role.

Sodium Formate Market, By Category

• Industry Verticals:
• Food & Beverage
• Textile
• Printing
• Aviation
• Oil & gas
• Chemical
• Others
• Application:
• Food Additives
• Catalysts
• Reducing Agents
• De-icing Agents
• Chemical Intermediates
• Region:
• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa