World Analysis – Acrylates & Super Absorbent Polymers

Long-term outlook to 2060

Acrylic acid and acrylate esters are highly versatile monomers that serve as essential building blocks for thousands of polymer formulations. These flammable, reactive, and volatile liquids, characterized by their alpha, beta-unsaturated carboxyl structure, enable the production of a wide range of latex and solution copolymers, copolymer plastics, and cross-linkable polymer systems. By adjusting the proportion of acrylate monomers, manufacturers can tailor key performance attributes such as tackiness, durability, hardness, and glass transition temperature, supporting broad use across diverse end-use sectors.

Major demand outlets for acrylate esters include surface coatings, textiles, adhesives, and plastics. Polyacrylic acid and its copolymers are consumed heavily in superabsorbent polymers (SAPs), detergents, dispersants, flocculants, and thickeners. SAPs, in particular, represent a major downstream driver, primarily supplied into disposable diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene applications.

Commercial acrylic acid production is predominantly based on a two-stage vapor-phase oxidation process using propylene and heterogeneous catalysts. While alternative production pathways are under development, the propylene oxidation route remains the established global standard.

Acrylic acid demand is shaped by distinct industries with varying growth patterns. Consumption for glacial acrylic acid (GAA) production is closely tied to demographic trends and income levels, reflecting its strong linkage to hygiene applications and SAP demand. A substantial share of GAA also feeds into non-cross-linked polyacrylic acid and copolymers used as detergent co-builders, dispersants, flocculants, and thickeners.

Approximately half of global acrylic acid demand is directed toward acrylate ester production, which supports industries such as paints, coatings, packaging, residential construction, and automotive manufacturing. These sectors are highly correlated with macroeconomic conditions and GDP growth, amplifying the sensitivity of the acrylic acid and acrylates market to broader economic cycles.

Long-term outlook to 2060

The World Analysis – Acrylates & SAP provides an in-depth assessment of the global acrylates & SAP market, offering comprehensive analysis and strategic insights into the key developments that will shape the long-term supply, demand, trade, and pricing outlooks. This service equips industry participants with the analytical foundation needed to navigate market volatility and anticipate structural shifts across the acrylates & SAP value chain.

Subscribers gain access to a full suite of reports, data files, analytical tools, and visualization modules, available online and downloadable from our website, including:

• A strategic report outlining critical insights and the future trajectory of global and regional markets

• Online Data Browser access to supply, demand, and capacity databases

• Continuously updated company/shareholder capacity listings, capacity integration analysis, and rankings of top producers/consumers, including surplus/deficit capacity profiles

• A comprehensive Data Appendix (Excel) featuring supply/demand and capacity tables, plus a dashboard with standard visualizations for all countries and regions

• Excel data files with long-range supply/demand graphics and price forecasts through 2060, along with detailed trade grids showing country- and region-level trade flows with 5- and 10-year projections

• An interactive online dashboard visualizing capacity, integration, supply/demand balances, trade flows, and price, cost, and margin forecasts

• Explanatory Notes detailing data sources, methodology, assumptions, units, conversion factors, and full World Analysis deliverables

• Energy and macroeconomic assumptions used in the long-term outlook

• Price assessment methodology and forecasting framework

In addition to the main product(s), Crude Acrylic Acid (ACA), Glacial Acrylic Acid (GAA), n-Butyl Acrylate (BA), 2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate (2-EHA), and Superabsorbent Polymers (SAP), capacity is provided for the following products:

•  Ethyl Acrylate (EA), Methyl Acrylate (MA)

This World Analysis provides detailed intelligence on capacities, production, demand, and trade across all major producing and consuming countries, regions, and global hubs. While robust data collection underpins the historical and forward views, the true value of the service lies in the expert interpretation and market analysis applied by our global team.

Data verification is a central pillar of our approach. Direct engagement with key industry participants ensures that our conclusions reflect real-world market behavior and deliver the most accurate, realistic forward outlook for the global acrylates & SAP industry.

Long-term outlook to 2060