Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormCrystalline solid (powder/granular)
Industry PositionFood Additive / Industrial Chemical Intermediate
Market
Adipic acid is a globally traded organic acid used predominantly as an industrial intermediate (notably for nylon 6,6), while also being listed in Codex as a food additive (INS 355) used as an acidity regulator. International trade is commonly tracked under HS 291712 (adipic acid, its salts and esters), with 2023 UN Comtrade-derived data showing export supply led by China, the United States, France, South Korea, and the Netherlands. Major import demand in 2023 includes Italy, Canada, Turkey, the Netherlands, and Germany, reflecting both polymer and specialty/ingredient supply chains. Market dynamics are influenced by petrochemical feedstock and energy conditions and by decarbonization pressure due to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions associated with conventional adipic acid production routes.
Market GrowthMixed (medium-term outlook)Industrial-demand-driven with cyclical petrochemical pricing and episodic supply tightness from plant outages/turnarounds; food-additive usage is a smaller demand segment tied to formulation needs and regulatory permissions.
Major Producing Countries- 중국Large-scale adipic acid manufacturing base; N2O abatement retrofits and new designs have been reported at multiple facilities.
- 미국Domestic production exists; U.S. reporting frameworks explicitly cover adipic acid production and associated emissions.
- 프랑스Hosts world-scale production capacity and is a major exporting origin in recent trade statistics.
- 대한민국Hosts integrated production capacity and is a major exporting origin in recent trade statistics.
- 독일Industrial production presence reported by major producers, with site-level restructuring affecting some capacity.
Major Exporting Countries- 중국Top exporter by value and quantity in 2023 (HS 291712; UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 미국Top exporter in 2023 (HS 291712; UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 프랑스Top exporter in 2023 (HS 291712; UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 대한민국Top exporter in 2023 (HS 291712; UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 네덜란드Top exporter in 2023 (HS 291712; UN Comtrade via WITS).
Major Importing Countries- 이탈리아Top importer by value and quantity in 2023 (HS 291712; UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 캐나다Top importer in 2023 (HS 291712; UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 터키Top importer in 2023 (HS 291712; UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 네덜란드Top importer in 2023 (HS 291712; UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 독일Top importer in 2023 (HS 291712; UN Comtrade via WITS).
Specification
Physical Attributes- White crystalline solid supplied as powder or granules
- Hygroscopicity is generally low but moisture control is important to maintain flow and avoid caking in storage and handling
Compositional Metrics- Assay/purity (food grade specifications referenced in food additive compendia)
- Moisture / loss on drying
- Residue on ignition (ash) and insoluble matter
- Heavy metals (e.g., lead) limits per applicable food additive specifications
Grades- Food additive grade aligned to Codex/JECFA specifications (INS 355)
- Industrial grade for polymer/intermediate applications (specifications vary by buyer and downstream process)
Packaging- Typically shipped in multiwall paper bags with inner liner or bulk bags for industrial users
- Food-grade supply commonly uses sealed packaging with lot traceability and food-contact compliant materials as required by destination market
ProcessingUsed as an acidity regulator in foods where permitted by Codex GSFA provisions; performance depends on formulation pH targets and buffering context
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Petrochemical feedstocks (e.g., cyclohexane/KA oil) → oxidation route production → purification/crystallization → grade segregation (industrial vs food) → packaging → global distribution to polymer and food/ingredient users
Demand Drivers- Dominant global pull from nylon 6,6 and other industrial downstream chains
- Food additive demand driven by acidity regulation needs in permitted food categories under Codex and destination-market regulations
Temperature- Not a cold-chain product; store in cool, dry, well-ventilated conditions to prevent moisture pickup and caking
Shelf Life- Generally long shelf life when kept dry and sealed; quality risks are primarily moisture uptake and contamination rather than rapid degradation
Risks
Climate And Emissions Regulation HighConventional adipic acid manufacturing can generate significant N2O emissions, creating a critical risk of cost increases, operational constraints, or supply disruption where abatement is required or where customer/financier decarbonization requirements tighten. Facilities without effective N2O destruction systems can face higher compliance burdens and reputational risk, potentially reducing available export supply.Prioritize suppliers with verified N2O abatement and transparent emissions reporting; include emissions performance clauses in contracts and diversify approved sources across regions.
Supply Concentration MediumHS 291712 trade flows show exports concentrated among a small set of major origins (notably China, the United States, France, South Korea, and the Netherlands in 2023), meaning outages or policy shocks in any major exporting origin can tighten global availability and widen regional price spreads.Dual- or tri-source across at least two major exporting regions and maintain safety stock for critical formulations or polymer-grade requirements.
Operational Outages And Restructuring MediumAdipic acid is produced in world-scale integrated chemical plants where maintenance turnarounds, unplanned shutdowns, or strategic closures can materially change short-term supply; site-level restructuring by major producers can shift trade flows and lead times.Track producer maintenance/closure announcements and qualify alternate suppliers and equivalent specs (food-grade vs industrial-grade) ahead of disruptions.
Trade And Compliance MediumAs a dual-use product (industrial intermediate and food additive), shipments may face differentiated regulatory checks (food additive specifications, labeling, contaminant limits) and trade policy risks (tariffs/sanctions) that can interrupt supply to specific destinations.Use HS-accurate documentation, ensure food-grade compliance documentation (where applicable), and route via compliant logistics partners with chemical/food ingredient handling capability.
Sustainability- High climate-impact concern from nitrous oxide (N2O) generated as a byproduct in conventional adipic acid production routes; abatement technology and monitoring are central ESG levers
- Decarbonization pressure and carbon-cost exposure for energy- and emissions-intensive chemical manufacturing, influencing sourcing decisions and supply costs
- Growing interest in lower-carbon pathways (e.g., improved abatement or alternative production routes) driven by downstream Scope 3 management in automotive/textiles and other end uses
Labor & Social- Process safety and worker exposure controls in large-scale chemical manufacturing (oxidation chemistry, high-temperature systems, and hazardous materials management)
- Community and environmental compliance expectations around industrial emissions management and monitoring
FAQ
Is adipic acid recognized internationally as a food additive?Yes. Codex lists adipic acid as a food additive with INS number 355 and identifies it as an acidity regulator, with specified permitted uses and maximum levels in certain food categories in the GSFA Online system.
Which countries are the largest exporters of adipic acid in recent trade data?In 2023 (HS 291712, UN Comtrade-derived data via World Bank WITS), the top exporters were China, the United States, France, South Korea, and the Netherlands.
What is the most critical global ESG risk associated with adipic acid supply?A key issue is nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions associated with conventional adipic acid production routes. This can create regulatory and customer-driven pressure for abatement and can affect the cost and reliability of supply from facilities that lack effective N2O destruction systems.