Market overview
The global phthalic anhydride market is worth USD 6.7 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 9.6 bn by 2036, growing at a 3.6% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Plasticisers is the largest by end use segment.
| Scope | Phthalic anhydride made by oxidising ortho-xylene or naphthalene and sold for plasticisers, unsaturated polyester and alkyd resins, and dyes and pigments. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 6.5 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 6.7 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 9.6 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 3.6% |
| Volume 2026 | 6,353,465 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 8,192,086 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1,059 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
Request a free sample of this report
Phthalic Anhydride market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 6.7 bn |
| 2027 | USD 7.0 bn |
| 2028 | USD 7.2 bn |
| 2029 | USD 7.5 bn |
| 2030 | USD 7.7 bn |
| 2031 | USD 8.0 bn |
| 2032 | USD 8.3 bn |
| 2033 | USD 8.6 bn |
| 2034 | USD 8.9 bn |
| 2035 | USD 9.2 bn |
| 2036 | USD 9.6 bn |
Phthalic 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plasticisers | 54.0% | 52.0% | USD 3.6 bn | 3.2% |
| Unsaturated polyester resins | 20.0% | 21.2% | USD 1.3 bn | 4.2% |
| Alkyd resins and paints | 14.0% | 14.1% | USD 942 mn | 3.7% |
| Dyes, pigments and other | 12.0% | 12.7% | USD 807 mn | 4.2% |
By feedstock
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ortho-xylene, fixed-bed process | 70.0% | 69.8% | USD 4.7 bn | 3.6% |
| Ortho-xylene, fluid-bed and other | 20.0% | 22.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 4.6% |
| Naphthalene | 10.0% | 8.2% | USD 673 mn | 1.6% |
By physical form
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molten bulk | 70.0% | 68.0% | USD 4.7 bn | 3.3% |
| Flake | 22.0% | 22.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 3.6% |
| Other forms | 8.0% | 10.0% | USD 538 mn | 5.9% |
By downstream industry
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | 32.0% | 32.0% | USD 2.2 bn | 3.6% |
| Automotive and transport | 18.0% | 19.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 4.2% |
| Consumer and furniture | 22.0% | 21.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 3.1% |
| Wire, cable and electrical | 14.0% | 14.0% | USD 942 mn | 3.6% |
| Paints and other | 14.0% | 14.0% | USD 942 mn | 3.6% |
By supply model
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captive | 42.0% | 40.0% | USD 2.8 bn | 3.1% |
| Merchant contracts | 40.0% | 40.0% | USD 2.7 bn | 3.6% |
| Spot | 18.0% | 20.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 4.7% |
Top 25 countries for phthalic 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 80.5% 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 2.7 bn | 40.0% | USD 3.9 bn | 3.9% |
| 2 | India | USD 538 mn | 8.0% | USD 929 mn | 5.6% |
| 3 | United States | USD 471 mn | 7.0% | USD 575 mn | 2.0% |
| 4 | South Korea | USD 336 mn | 5.0% | USD 431 mn | 2.5% |
| 5 | Germany | USD 269 mn | 4.0% | USD 297 mn | 1.0% |
| 6 | Japan | USD 269 mn | 4.0% | USD 316 mn | 1.6% |
| 7 | Taiwan | USD 269 mn | 4.0% | USD 364 mn | 3.1% |
| 8 | Indonesia | USD 202 mn | 3.0% | USD 335 mn | 5.2% |
| 9 | Brazil | USD 202 mn | 3.0% | USD 287 mn | 3.6% |
| 10 | Turkey | USD 168 mn | 2.5% | USD 240 mn | 3.6% |
| 11 | Mexico | USD 120 mn | 1.8% | USD 169 mn | 3.5% |
| 12 | Thailand | USD 108 mn | 1.6% | USD 152 mn | 3.5% |
| 13 | Russia | USD 102 mn | 1.5% | USD 145 mn | 3.5% |
| 14 | Vietnam | USD 91 mn | 1.4% | USD 148 mn | 5.0% |
| 15 | Malaysia | USD 80 mn | 1.2% | USD 112 mn | 3.4% |
| 16 | Egypt | USD 74 mn | 1.1% | USD 120 mn | 4.9% |
| 17 | Iran | USD 69 mn | 1.0% | USD 96 mn | 3.4% |
| 18 | Saudi Arabia | USD 63 mn | 0.9% | USD 88 mn | 3.5% |
| 19 | Italy | USD 57 mn | 0.8% | USD 80 mn | 3.5% |
| 20 | France | USD 51 mn | 0.8% | USD 72 mn | 3.5% |
| 21 | United Kingdom | USD 46 mn | 0.7% | USD 64 mn | 3.5% |
| 22 | Spain | USD 40 mn | 0.6% | USD 57 mn | 3.6% |
| 23 | Poland | USD 34 mn | 0.5% | USD 48 mn | 3.4% |
| 24 | Pakistan | USD 34 mn | 0.5% | USD 56 mn | 4.9% |
| 25 | Argentina | USD 28 mn | 0.4% | USD 40 mn | 3.6% |
| Rest of world | USD 315 mn | 4.7% | USD 432 mn | 3.2% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- BASF
- Polynt
- Nan Ya Plastics
- Mitsubishi Gas Chemical
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Aekyung Chemical
- Thirumalai Chemicals
- UPC Group
- Nippon Shokubai
- IG Petrochemicals
- Koppers
- Alder
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 phthalic 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 feedstock, by physical form, by downstream industry, by supply model. 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 phthalic anhydride market?
The global phthalic anhydride market is estimated at USD 6.5 bn in 2025 and USD 6.7 bn in 2026.
How fast will the phthalic anhydride market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 9.6 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 3.6% from 2026, an increase of USD 2.9 bn.
Which country is the largest market for phthalic anhydride?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 2.7 bn in 2026, 40.0% 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 5.6% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which phthalic anhydride segment is largest?
In the by end use split, Plasticisers is the largest segment with 54.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading phthalic anhydride companies?
Global leaders include BASF, Polynt, Nan Ya Plastics, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical.
Need the full report?
Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.
Request a free sampleRelated markets in Chemicals and Materials
- Carbon CaptureUSD 6.9 bn · 18.0% CAGR
- AcetoneUSD 6.5 bn · 3.8% CAGR
- CO2 Reduced ConcreteUSD 6.9 bn · 13.0% CAGR
- CobaltUSD 7.0 bn · 7.0% CAGR
- Solar Grade SiliconUSD 7.1 bn · 6.0% CAGR
- Activated CarbonUSD 6.3 bn · 6.5% CAGR
- PolysiliconUSD 7.2 bn · 5.5% CAGR
- Hydrogen PeroxideUSD 6.2 bn · 5.5% CAGR