Market overview
The global formic acid market is worth USD 932 mn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 1.4 bn by 2036, growing at a 3.8% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Animal feed and silage is the largest by application segment.
| Scope | Formic acid produced from methyl formate hydrolysis and sold for animal feed preservation, leather tanning, textiles, rubber and agrochemicals. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 900 mn |
| Value 2026 | USD 932 mn |
| Value 2036 | USD 1.4 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 3.8% |
| Volume 2026 | 1,133 thousand tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 1,565 thousand tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 822 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Formic Acid market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 931.5 mn |
| 2027 | USD 966.9 mn |
| 2028 | USD 1.00 bn |
| 2029 | USD 1.04 bn |
| 2030 | USD 1.08 bn |
| 2031 | USD 1.12 bn |
| 2032 | USD 1.17 bn |
| 2033 | USD 1.21 bn |
| 2034 | USD 1.26 bn |
| 2035 | USD 1.30 bn |
| 2036 | USD 1.35 bn |
Formic Acid market segmentation
By application
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal feed and silage | 36.0% | 37.5% | USD 335 mn | 4.2% |
| Leather tanning | 16.0% | 14.4% | USD 149 mn | 2.7% |
| Textile dyeing | 12.0% | 11.1% | USD 112 mn | 3.0% |
| Rubber and chemicals | 14.0% | 13.9% | USD 130 mn | 3.7% |
| Pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals | 12.0% | 13.1% | USD 112 mn | 4.7% |
| Other | 10.0% | 9.9% | USD 93 mn | 3.7% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture | 40.0% | 41.7% | USD 373 mn | 4.2% |
| Leather and textiles | 28.0% | 25.7% | USD 261 mn | 2.9% |
| Chemicals and rubber | 20.0% | 20.1% | USD 186 mn | 3.8% |
| Other | 12.0% | 12.5% | USD 112 mn | 4.2% |
By concentration
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 85% | 58.0% | 56.0% | USD 540 mn | 3.4% |
| 90% | 16.0% | 16.0% | USD 149 mn | 3.8% |
| 94% to 99% | 26.0% | 28.0% | USD 242 mn | 4.6% |
By production route
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Methyl formate hydrolysis | 74.0% | 68.0% | USD 689 mn | 2.9% |
| Formate acidolysis | 12.0% | 12.0% | USD 112 mn | 3.8% |
| Biomass-derived | 8.0% | 10.0% | USD 75 mn | 6.1% |
| CO2 hydrogenation | 6.0% | 10.0% | USD 56 mn | 9.2% |
By sales channel
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct supply | 54.0% | 52.0% | USD 503 mn | 3.4% |
| Distributors | 34.0% | 34.0% | USD 317 mn | 3.8% |
| Traders | 12.0% | 14.0% | USD 112 mn | 5.4% |
Top 25 countries for formic acid by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 77.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.8%.
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 261 mn | 28.0% | USD 385 mn | 4.0% |
| 2 | Germany | USD 93 mn | 10.0% | USD 123 mn | 2.8% |
| 3 | India | USD 75 mn | 8.0% | USD 134 mn | 6.0% |
| 4 | United States | USD 65 mn | 7.0% | USD 88 mn | 3.0% |
| 5 | Brazil | USD 56 mn | 6.0% | USD 83 mn | 4.0% |
| 6 | Netherlands | USD 47 mn | 5.0% | USD 62 mn | 2.9% |
| 7 | France | USD 37 mn | 4.0% | USD 50 mn | 3.0% |
| 8 | Spain | USD 33 mn | 3.5% | USD 45 mn | 3.2% |
| 9 | Turkey | USD 28 mn | 3.0% | USD 42 mn | 4.1% |
| 10 | Italy | USD 28 mn | 3.0% | USD 37 mn | 2.7% |
| 11 | Mexico | USD 26 mn | 2.8% | USD 40 mn | 4.3% |
| 12 | Poland | USD 18 mn | 1.9% | USD 26 mn | 3.8% |
| 13 | Russia | USD 14 mn | 1.5% | USD 18 mn | 2.4% |
| 14 | Canada | USD 12 mn | 1.3% | USD 16 mn | 2.8% |
| 15 | Belgium | USD 11 mn | 1.1% | USD 13 mn | 2.4% |
| 16 | Thailand | USD 9.4 mn | 1.0% | USD 14 mn | 4.0% |
| 17 | Malaysia | USD 8.7 mn | 0.9% | USD 13 mn | 4.1% |
| 18 | Indonesia | USD 8.0 mn | 0.9% | USD 13 mn | 4.8% |
| 19 | Australia | USD 7.5 mn | 0.8% | USD 10 mn | 3.4% |
| 20 | Switzerland | USD 7.1 mn | 0.8% | USD 9.3 mn | 2.8% |
| 21 | Argentina | USD 6.7 mn | 0.7% | USD 9.7 mn | 3.8% |
| 22 | Austria | USD 6.3 mn | 0.7% | USD 8.1 mn | 2.5% |
| 23 | Vietnam | USD 6.0 mn | 0.7% | USD 10 mn | 5.3% |
| 24 | Egypt | USD 5.9 mn | 0.6% | USD 9.3 mn | 4.8% |
| 25 | Singapore | USD 5.6 mn | 0.6% | USD 8.1 mn | 3.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 58 mn | 6.2% | USD 87 mn | 4.1% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- BASF
- Eastman
- Perstorp
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Feicheng Acid Chemicals
- Luxi Group
- Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers and Chemicals
- Merck KGaA
- Chongqing Chuandong Chemical
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Tokyo Chemical Industry
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 formic acid 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 3.8% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by application, by end use, by concentration, by production route, 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 formic acid market?
The global formic acid market is estimated at USD 900 mn in 2025 and USD 932 mn in 2026.
How fast will the formic acid market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 1.4 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 3.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 421 mn.
Which country is the largest market for formic acid?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 261 mn in 2026, 28.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 46.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 6.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which formic acid segment is largest?
In the by application split, Animal feed and silage is the largest segment with 36.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading formic acid companies?
Global leaders include BASF, Eastman, Perstorp.
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