Europe Acetic Acid Market Analysis By Demand, By Region, By Applications and Forecast Report Till 2032

Europe Acetic Acid Market

Acetic Acid, also known as ethanoic acid, is a colorless organic compound which is produced by the carbonylation of methanol.

Vinyl Acetate Monomer (VAM) is the largest use for Acetic Acid as it is used in producing water-based paints, adhesives, waterproofing coatings, and paper and paperboard coatings. It is also used in the Food & Beverages industry due to its wide usage as a fermentation agent. It is combined with other substances, such as sodium bicarbonate, to produce goods that require baking thus changing food habits with increasing food industries leads to the escalating demand for Acetic Acid.

Europe Acetic Acid Manufacturers

• Eastman Chemical Company
• LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
• Celanese Corporation
• Ineos Group
• Daicel Corporation
• Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilisers & Chemicals
• Chang Chun Petrochemical
• SIPCHEM
• Jaingsu Sopo Group (No available link)
• Shanghai Huayi Group
• Shanghai Wujing Chemical
• Fanavaran Petrochemical
• Other Manufacturers

BP is a world-scale producer of acetic acid in Europe with two manufacturing facilities located in the United Kingdom with a total capacity of 600 thousand tons. The company was later acquired by INEOS. In 2020, the company announced the set-up of a new VAM plant which is going to be built in Hull, England, right next to the Acetic Acid facility.

Germany is the largest importer of Acetic Acid in the region with average exports of more than 400 thousand tons valued at 31,575 USD in 2021.

Despite the decrease in imports in 2020, the first quarter of 2021 saw a significant increase in Acetic acid imports.

Rising demand for PTA from various End-Use Industries

The demand for PTA in Europe is expected to grow in the coming years, driven by the increasing demand for polyester in various end-use industries. The growing demand for packaging materials, particularly in the food and beverage industry, is expected to drive the demand for polyester in the region. Additionally, the increasing demand for polyester in the textile industry, particularly in countries such as Germany, Italy, and France, is expected to further drive the demand for PTA which will positively impact the Acetic Acid market.

Other important applications of acetic acid in Europe include the production of vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), which is used in the production of various products such as adhesives, coatings, and films. Additionally, acetic acid is used as a solvent in the production of various chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Wacker Chemicals located in Burghausen, Germany has an integrated plant of Acetic Acid and Vinyl Acetate Monomer. Celanese is the largest producer of VAM in Europe with a total capacity of 300 thousand tons.

Harmful Effects of Acetic Acid on the Human Health

Acetic Acid is considered harmful to human health and can cause a strong irritant to the eye, skin, and mucous membrane. Continuous exposure to and inhalation of Acetic Acid can cause irritation to the nose, eyes, and throat and can also damage the respiratory system. The employees who are exposed to Acetic Acid have witnessed respiratory tract irritation, conjunctival irritation, and hyperkeratotic dermatitis.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) shows that the standard exposure to airborne acetic acid is eight hours. Furthermore, a common product of acetic acid i.e., vinegar can cause gastrointestinal tract inflammatory conditions such as indigestion on excess consumption. Therefore, the adverse impact of Acetic Acid may hamper the market growth.