Market overview
The global acetic anhydride market is worth USD 1.9 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 2.7 bn by 2036, growing at a 3.6% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Cellulose acetate is the largest by end use segment.
| Scope | Acetic anhydride produced by carbonylation of methyl acetate or acetic acid cracking, sold for cellulose acetate, pharmaceuticals, dyes and explosives precursors. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 1.9 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 1.9 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 2.7 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 3.6% |
| Volume 2026 | 2,049,505 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 2,642,608 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 934 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Acetic Anhydride market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 1.91 bn |
| 2027 | USD 1.98 bn |
| 2028 | USD 2.06 bn |
| 2029 | USD 2.13 bn |
| 2030 | USD 2.21 bn |
| 2031 | USD 2.29 bn |
| 2032 | USD 2.37 bn |
| 2033 | USD 2.45 bn |
| 2034 | USD 2.54 bn |
| 2035 | USD 2.63 bn |
| 2036 | USD 2.73 bn |
Acetic Anhydride market segmentation
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cellulose acetate | 52.0% | 50.0% | USD 996 mn | 3.2% |
| Pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals | 20.0% | 22.2% | USD 383 mn | 4.7% |
| Dyes and pigments | 10.0% | 9.6% | USD 191 mn | 3.2% |
| Esters and other | 18.0% | 18.2% | USD 345 mn | 3.7% |
By grade
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical grade | 54.0% | 51.0% | USD 1.0 bn | 3.0% |
| Fibre grade | 24.0% | 23.3% | USD 460 mn | 3.3% |
| High-purity grade | 22.0% | 25.7% | USD 421 mn | 5.2% |
By production route
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ketene process | 46.0% | 40.0% | USD 881 mn | 2.2% |
| Methyl acetate carbonylation | 44.0% | 50.0% | USD 842 mn | 4.9% |
| Other routes | 10.0% | 10.0% | USD 191 mn | 3.6% |
By purity
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below 99.5 percent | 22.0% | 18.0% | USD 421 mn | 1.5% |
| 99.5 to 99.8 percent | 56.0% | 54.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 3.2% |
| Above 99.8 percent | 22.0% | 28.0% | USD 421 mn | 6.1% |
By sales channel
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct contract | 60.0% | 57.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 3.1% |
| Distributors | 28.0% | 29.0% | USD 536 mn | 4.0% |
| Captive use | 12.0% | 14.0% | USD 230 mn | 5.2% |
Top 25 countries for acetic anhydride by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 82.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 95.3%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 651 mn | 34.0% | USD 957 mn | 3.9% |
| 2 | United States | USD 230 mn | 12.0% | USD 297 mn | 2.6% |
| 3 | India | USD 172 mn | 9.0% | USD 284 mn | 5.1% |
| 4 | Japan | USD 134 mn | 7.0% | USD 166 mn | 2.2% |
| 5 | Germany | USD 96 mn | 5.0% | USD 117 mn | 2.0% |
| 6 | South Korea | USD 77 mn | 4.0% | USD 98 mn | 2.5% |
| 7 | Mexico | USD 57 mn | 3.0% | USD 82 mn | 3.6% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 57 mn | 3.0% | USD 87 mn | 4.3% |
| 9 | Indonesia | USD 48 mn | 2.5% | USD 76 mn | 4.8% |
| 10 | Taiwan | USD 48 mn | 2.5% | USD 63 mn | 2.7% |
| 11 | Netherlands | USD 36 mn | 1.9% | USD 48 mn | 3.0% |
| 12 | Belgium | USD 32 mn | 1.6% | USD 43 mn | 3.0% |
| 13 | Spain | USD 28 mn | 1.4% | USD 37 mn | 3.0% |
| 14 | Poland | USD 25 mn | 1.3% | USD 33 mn | 3.0% |
| 15 | Thailand | USD 21 mn | 1.1% | USD 38 mn | 5.8% |
| 16 | Malaysia | USD 19 mn | 1.0% | USD 33 mn | 5.8% |
| 17 | Vietnam | USD 17 mn | 0.9% | USD 29 mn | 5.8% |
| 18 | Russia | USD 15 mn | 0.8% | USD 16 mn | 0.7% |
| 19 | Saudi Arabia | USD 13 mn | 0.7% | USD 23 mn | 5.8% |
| 20 | Canada | USD 11 mn | 0.6% | USD 15 mn | 3.1% |
| 21 | Argentina | USD 10.0 mn | 0.5% | USD 13 mn | 3.0% |
| 22 | Pakistan | USD 8.8 mn | 0.5% | USD 15 mn | 5.7% |
| 23 | Turkey | USD 7.7 mn | 0.4% | USD 14 mn | 5.9% |
| 24 | Egypt | USD 6.9 mn | 0.4% | USD 12 mn | 5.7% |
| 25 | Australia | USD 5.9 mn | 0.3% | USD 8.2 mn | 3.3% |
| Rest of world | USD 90 mn | 4.7% | USD 122 mn | 3.1% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Eastman
- Celanese
- Daicel
- BP
- INEOS
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Jubilant Ingrevia
- Chang Chun Group
- Yankuang Lunan Chemical
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Jiangsu Sopo
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the acetic anhydride market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 3.6% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by end use, by grade, by production route, by purity, by sales channel. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the acetic anhydride market?
The global acetic anhydride market is estimated at USD 1.9 bn in 2025 and USD 1.9 bn in 2026.
How fast will the acetic anhydride market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 2.7 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 3.6% from 2026, an increase of USD 812 mn.
Which country is the largest market for acetic anhydride?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 651 mn in 2026, 34.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 55.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 5.1% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which acetic anhydride segment is largest?
In the by end use split, Cellulose acetate is the largest segment with 52.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading acetic anhydride companies?
Global leaders include Eastman, Celanese, Daicel, BP.
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