Chemicals Industry Today

Nitric Acid Market to Reach USD 43.5 Billion by 2035: Growth Across APAC, Europe, USA, and Saudi Arabia Driven by Fertilizers, Industrial Chemicals, and Explosives Applications

The global nitric acid market is estimated to record sales of USD 32.7 billion in 2025 and surpass USD 43.5 billion by 2035, exhibiting a CAGR of 2.9%. On the basis of product type, concentrated nitric acid to hold nearly 71%, while usage for fertilizer production to represent approximately 67% of total demand in 2025.
Published 10 November 2025

According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the global nitric acid market is projected to grow from USD 32.7 billion in 2025 to USD 43.5 billion by 2035, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9%. Sustained demand for fertilizer production, industrial chemicals, and explosives, coupled with increased adoption in metal treatment and specialty polymers, underpins this steady market expansion.

Concentrated Nitric Acid Leads Market Demand

Concentrated nitric acid remains the dominant product type, projected to account for approximately 71% of global market share in 2025, with a CAGR of 2.8% through 2035. This grade is integral to the production of ammonium nitrate, nitrobenzene, and adipic acid, which are critical for fertilizers, nylon 6,6, and industrial intermediates. Its strong oxidative potential makes it essential for nitration reactions, explosives manufacturing, and metal etching processes.

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Application Segments Driving Growth

Fertilizer production remains the largest driver, fueled by increasing global demand for nitrogen-based fertilizers such as ammonium nitrate and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN). Asia-Pacific countries, Latin America, and parts of Africa, with expanding agricultural production and fertilizer subsidies, are sustaining nitric acid demand.

The explosives segment, critical to mining, tunneling, and infrastructure development, continues to require high-purity nitric acid for TNT and nitroglycerin production, supporting growth in industrial and defense applications. Meanwhile, the chemical and polymer industry relies on nitric acid for adipic acid production, a key component of engineering plastics, nylon fibers, and high-performance textiles.

Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific: Expanding Agriculture and Industrial Applications

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) market, including Japan, South Korea, China, and India, is forecast to lead growth, driven by fertilizer manufacturing, chemical intermediates, and infrastructure development. Nitric acid use in semiconductors, electronics, and precision coatings in Japan and South Korea adds to industrial demand. Emerging economies such as India are expanding nitric acid capacity through energy-efficient plants and emission-reducing technologies.

Europe: Regulatory Compliance and Sustainable Production

In Europe, stricter environmental regulations targeting NOx emissions are encouraging manufacturers to invest in scrubbing units and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technologies. Germany, France, and the Netherlands, as chemical production hubs, are witnessing steady adoption of low-emission nitric acid processes, driving growth in specialty chemicals and polymer industries. The European Union market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.6%.

United States: Fertilizer and Industrial Demand

The U.S. nitric acid market is anticipated to grow at 3.1% CAGR, supported by the fertilizer, chemical, and explosives sectors. Domestic production is adapting to stricter environmental norms, integrating NOx reduction processes and energy-efficient operations. The demand for high-purity nitric acid in industrial cleaning, metal etching, and polymer synthesis further drives consumption.

Saudi Arabia and Middle East: Industrial Expansion

In Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, nitric acid demand is rising in tandem with fertilizer production, industrial chemical manufacturing, and metal treatment applications. Investments under Vision 2030 and infrastructure projects in mining and construction are bolstering market potential. Localized production capacities are increasing to meet regional fertilizer demand while complying with environmental regulations.

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Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges

  • Environmental regulations on nitrogen oxide emissions raise compliance costs in North America and Europe.
  • Raw material volatility, particularly ammonia, affects production costs and market stability.
  • Stringent safety standards for handling concentrated nitric acid require ongoing investment in infrastructure and personnel training.

Opportunities

  • Fertilizer expansion in emerging markets supports sustained nitric acid consumption.
  • Industrial diversification: Growth in explosives, polymers, specialty chemicals, and metal processing drives new applications.
  • Technological advancements: Adoption of low-carbon nitric acid production, green ammonia integration, and recycling technologies enhances sustainability and opens growth avenues.

Market Outlook and Strategic Trends

FMI highlights that concentrated nitric acid will continue to dominate the market, while dilute nitric acid sees steady growth in metal etching, lab reagents, and specialty chemical applications. Expansion in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East will account for over 55% of global nitric acid consumption by 2035.

Sustainability trends, particularly in Europe and North America, are driving emissions-reducing production technologies, recycling initiatives, and integration with green ammonia. Simultaneously, fertilizer demand in China, India, Brazil, and Russia ensures robust industrial growth.

Investments in high-efficiency production lines, infrastructure for NOx reduction, and energy-optimized plants highlight the industry’s focus on balancing environmental compliance with supply security. Emerging opportunities in aerospace, electronics, and specialty fibers further diversify market potential.

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About Future Market Insights (FMI)

Future Market Insights, Inc. (FMI) is an ESOMAR-certified, ISO 9001:2015 market research and consulting organization, trusted by Fortune 500 clients and global enterprises. With operations in the U.S., UK, India, and Dubai, FMI provides data-backed insights and strategic intelligence across 30+ industries and 1200 markets worldwide.

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