Report

The global peracetic acid market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.80% in the forecast period of 2025-2034. The market is being aided by the growing water and wastewater treatment activities.

Global Peracetic Acid Market Growth

The peracetic acid market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing water and wastewater treatment activities, rising concerns over water scarcity, and a growing focus on sustainability. With 4 billion people facing water shortages and 42% of domestic wastewater untreated globally, peracetic acid's strong oxidising properties make it a key solution for purifying water and promoting eco-friendly water treatment. Additionally, regulatory shifts are encouraging the use of biodegradable and safer chemicals, further boosting demand for peracetic acid as an alternative to traditional disinfectants like chlorine. Technological advancements, including R&D efforts to improve cost-efficiency, stability, and formulation purity, are expanding peracetic acid applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals and food processing. The integration of AI and automation in production is optimising manufacturing processes, improving efficiency, and lowering costs.

The thriving agricultural sector is favouring the peracetic acid market expansion. In India, the agricultural sector is the primary source of livelihood for around 55% of the entire population. Peracetic acid is used to disinfect irrigation systems, livelihood farms, and livestock facilities, improve animal health, and enhance farm productivity. Growing concerns regarding the use of chemicals such as fungicides and insecticides are boosting the use of peracetic acid as a safer and sustainable alternative and disease and pest control in farms.

Global Peracetic Acid Market Trends

Growing water and wastewater treatment

Growing concerns regarding water scarcity are surging water and wastewater treatment activities. As per the United Nations, at least 50% of the global population, or 4 billion individuals, deal with water shortage at least one month of the year. Peracetic acid is widely used in purifying water from organic contaminants due to its excellent oxidising properties. In 2022, 42% of domestic wastewater was not safely treated before discharge, leading to nearly 113 billion m3 of household wastewater being released with inadequate or no treatment. The United Nations also aims to improve water quality, surge the recycling and safe reuse of water, and lower the proportion of untreated water by 2030. This is increasing the demand for peracetic acid as it is a cost-effective and stronger oxidant than chlorine dioxide and sodium hypochlorite. Besides, the growing focus on environmental sustainability is surging the demand for eco-friendly and effective water treatment solutions, boosting the peracetic acid market revenue.

Global Peracetic Acid Market Drivers

Rising focus on sustainability

The introduction of stringent government regulations aimed at promoting the use of biodegradable and safer chemicals is offering lucrative peracetic acid market opportunities. For instance, by 2030, governments globally aim to create a regulatory environment for reducing chemical pollution and implement favourable policies for promoting the use of safer chemicals. As peracetic acid decomposes into water, oxygen, and biodegradable acetic acid and produces no harmful substances, it is considered an eco-friendly chemical for use in disinfection and sterilisation applications. In addition, businesses and governments are attempting to adopt sustainable chemical solutions amid the rising focus on sustainability and increasing concerns regarding rapid climate. This is surging the usage of peracetic acid as an alternative to formaldehyde and chlorine in different end-use sectors, ranging from food and beverages to water treatment.

Global Peracetic Acid Market Overview

Technological advancements and innovations

Increasing research and development activities aimed at making the production of peracetic acid more cost-effective are expected to shape the peracetic acid market trends and dynamics. Key players are attempting to improve the purity and stability of peracetic acid formulations, expanding their applications across sectors such as pharmaceuticals and food processing. The development of novel materials for packaging and storage that can better preserve the potency, shelf life, and safety of peracetic acid and prevent degradation is driving the market development. Furthermore, the integration of technologies such as artificial intelligence and automation in manufacturing processes for peracetic acid intended to enable real-time process optimisation, improve production efficiency, lower labour costs, and reduce downtime is fuelling the peracetic acid market expansion.

Market News

May 2023

Evonik received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its VIGOROX Trident peracetic acid for use in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) and ponds to reduce fish pathogens in the water.

November 2020

Ashburn Chemical Technologies launched a ready-to-use peracetic acid spray for disinfecting, cleaning, sanitising, and deodorising, Perdrox. With a concentration of 170 PPM peracetic acid, Perdrox can kill 99.9% of viruses in 10 minutes and 99.999% of bacteria in 60 seconds.

Global Peracetic Acid Market Dynamics

The rising awareness among consumers about hygiene is propelling the peracetic acid industry expansion. The growing product utilisation in the healthcare sector is expected to significantly contribute to the market growth. Other major factors like the rising preference for bio-based chemicals, the development of innovative techniques for the use of peracetic acid in a wide range of products, and advancements in its manufacturing technology are expected to create new opportunities for the market development. Moreover, the surge in demand for disinfectants, sanitisers, and sterilants, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, is expected to further boost the applications of peracetic acid.

Global Peracetic Acid Market Restraints

The peracetic acid market is impacted by the volatile prices of raw materials of peracetic acid, including acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide. Fluctuations in the prices of raw materials caused by supply chain disruptions, energy cost volatility, and geopolitical instability can impede the market expansion. The chemical is also sensitive to moisture, heat, and light, which makes its transportation and storage challenging and expensive. Moreover, intense competition between key players can restrict the entry of smaller and newer peracetic acid companies into the market. The development of alternative cost-effective and easy-to-handle disinfectants, including ozone, chlorine-based products, and chlorine dioxide, can limit the demand for peroxide acid.

Global Peracetic Acid Industry Segmentation

The EMR's report titled "Global Peracetic Acid Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034" offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Market Breakup by Grade

- Solution Grade
- Distilled Grade

Market Breakup by Application

- Disinfectants
??- In-House Surfaces
??- Instrument Disinfection
??- Others

- Sterilant
??- Liquid
??- Spray
??- Wipe
??- Others

- Sanitiser

??- Gel
??- Foam
??- Spray
??- Others

Market Breakup by End Use

- Healthcare
- Water Treatment
- Food and Beverage
- Pulp and Paper
- Others

Market Breakup by Region

- North America
- Europe
- Asia Pacific
- Latin America
- Middle East and Africa

Global Peracetic Acid Market Share

By Grade Insights

As per the peracetic acid market analysis, distilled grade of peracetic acid is distilled to remove impurities, making it ideal for applications where minimal contaminants and high purity, such as medical equipment sterilisation and food safety, are crucial. This grade is available in concentrations ranging from 15% to 25% peracetic acid and is more concentrated than solution-grade peracetic acid.

Meanwhile, solution-grade peracetic grade boasts lower purity than its distilled counterparts and contains a mixture of other components such as hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid. This grade of peracetic acid is used for general sanitation in sectors such as dairies, agricultural equipment, food processing, and breweries, among others.

By Application Insights

Due to its quick action, broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, and environmentally friendly properties, peracetic acid is extensively used in disinfectant formulations for equipment sterilisation, surface cleaning, and pathogen control. The acid is widely used to disinfect medical equipment and instruments like surgical tools, endoscopes, and dental equipment and surfaces in food processing facilities, such as cutting boards, utensils, and conveyor belts, among others.

In sanitisers, peracetic acid is used to kill and inhibit the growth of harmful microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. The increasing launch of PAA-based peracetic acid is increasing the peracetic acid market value. In February 2019, Best Sanitizers, Inc. announced the launch of a new line of peracetic acid sanitiser products, Alpet PAA 5.6%, for food contact surfaces, conveyors, and equipment for poultry, fruits, nuts and vegetables, and meat, among others.

By End Use Insights

In the healthcare sector, peracetic acid is extensively used as a sterilising agent and disinfectant due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Due to its high potency against a wide range of pathogens, peracetic acid is also used in combination with other agents for the sterilisation of critical devices like implants, surgical instruments, and catheters.

The food and beverage segment accounts for a significant share of the peracetic acid market owing to the effectiveness of peracetic acid in microbial contamination and the innovation of application-based products. Peracetic acid is widely utilised as a preservative for meat, poultry, and fisheries products. Meanwhile, the expanding applications of the product in the water treatment sector are expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. This is further supported by favourable government initiatives to treat wastewater and the growing focus on promoting the use of peracetic acid in the water treatment industry.

Global Peracetic Acid Market Regional Insights

North America Peracetic Acid Market Drivers

The rising water and wastewater treatment activities amid growing water scarcity concerns in countries like the United States and Canada are boosting the peracetic acid demand forecast. In the United States, 34 billion gallons of wastewater are processed in wastewater treatment facilities per day. With governments likely to impose regulations encouraging the use of safer and more effective water treatment solutions, the demand for peracetic acid is surging. In addition, regulatory bodies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of the US are pushing for the use of sustainable chemicals, driving the peracetic acid industry growth.

Asia Pacific Peracetic Acid Market Overview

The peracetic acid demand growth is being fuelled by rapid industrialisation and urbanisation in the Asia Pacific, especially in emerging economies like India and China. With the thriving agricultural sector in the region, peracetic acid is widely used in soil sterilisation, pest control, and disinfection of irrigation systems. Moreover, the increasing production of peracetic acid in the region is fuelling the Asia Pacific peracetic market development. In December 2023, Evonik announced the full takeover of Thailand-based Thai Peroxide Company Limited (TPL) to expand its offerings of peracetic acid and speciality-grade hydrogen peroxide in the thriving Asia Pacific market.

Competitive Landscape

Key peracetic acid market players are investing in product innovations, regional expansion, technological advancements, and strategic partnerships to gain a competitive advantage. They are also educating customers regarding the safety and environmental benefits of peracetic acid for use in different end-use sectors like healthcare and food and beverage.

Solvay SA

Solvay SA, founded in 1863 and headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, is a leading chemical and advanced material company that caters to diverse sectors, including consumer goods, energy, healthcare, automotive, and electronics. It offers peracetic acid for use in water treatment, food processing and food safety, healthcare disinfection, and industrial cleaning, among others.

Enviro Tech Chemical Services, Inc.

Enviro Tech Chemical Services, Inc., founded in 1994, is a prominent manufacturer and distributor of specialised chemicals used in sectors like water treatment, disinfectant, and sanitisation. Headquartered in California, United States, some of its products based on peracetic acid are EnviroZyme, AgriTech, Envirolyte, and EnviroTech 2.

Evonik Industries AG

Evonik Industries AG, headquartered in Essen, Germany, is a leading speciality chemical company that caters to the consumer goods, energy, automotive, electronics, and healthcare industries. The company is renowned for its commitment to research and innovation and aims to develop new chemicals that can address challenges related to sustainability, food safety, and water purification.

Other key players in the peracetic acid market are Kemira Oyj, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc., and Jubilant Life Sciences Limited, among others.

Recent Developments

September 2021

Enviro Tech Chemical Services (ETCS) introduced the world's first dry peracetic acid (PAA) floor and equipment sanitiser, PeraGuard. The sanitiser is aimed at improving environmental biosecurity and sanitation on surfaces favouring microorganism growth.

July 2020

Pilot Chemical Company and its subsidiary Mason Chemical Company announced the expansion of its peracetic acid products to meet the growing demand for effective antimicrobial products in different industries such as oil and gas, janitorial, food protection, pulp and paper, industrial water treatment, and commercial laundry.