Maleic Anhydride Market Report 2026

The maleic anhydride market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.97 billion in 2025 to $4.26 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of construction and infrastructure activities, rising demand for polyester resins, growth in agrochemical production, increasing consumption of food additives, availability of benzene and n-butane feedstocks.

The maleic anhydride market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.45 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for sustainable chemical production, increasing application in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, expansion of lightweight composites usage, rising focus on low-emission manufacturing processes, increasing investments in specialty chemical capacity. Major trends in the forecast period include expanding use of maleic anhydride in unsaturated polyester resins, rising demand for bio-based chemical intermediates, growing adoption in food additives and preservatives, increasing application in agricultural chemicals, enhanced focus on process efficiency optimization.

The rising global demand for automobiles has driven the growth of the maleic anhydride market. The automobile industry, which produces and sells vehicles including passenger cars, trucks, and commercial equipment, utilizes unsaturated polyester resin (UPR) derived from maleic anhydride for parts due to its lightweight, mechanical properties, and design versatility. For instance, in March 2024, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, global car sales rebounded strongly in 2023, growing nearly 10% to surpass 72 million units. The European market saw an 18.6% increase, while Russia and Ukraine posted growth rates of 63.5% and 58.9%, respectively. This surge has boosted the demand for maleic anhydride and its derivatives.

Major companies in the maleic anhydride market are developing innovative solutions to improve production efficiency and support emerging applications such as biodegradable plastics. Maleic anhydride technology encompasses engineering design, catalytic systems, and operational support for industrial-scale production. For example, in September 2024, MAIRE, an Italy-based engineering provider, announced CONSER’s maleic anhydride technology package for Al Baleed Petrochemical’s new 50,000-ton-per-year facility in Oman. The solution includes process licensing, design packages, catalyst supply, and technical services to support construction, commissioning, and start-up, strengthening Oman’s industrial capabilities and promoting maleic anhydride use in biodegradable plastics.

In June 2023, Petronas Chemicals Group Berhad, a Malaysian chemical company, made a final investment decision (FID) to acquire a maleic anhydride plant from BASF Petronas Chemicals Sdn. Bhd (BPC) for an undisclosed amount. This strategic acquisition is poised to integrate specific chemical derivatives of maleic anhydride in the future, potentially collaborating with other downstream manufacturers of maleic anhydride in Malaysia. The move aims to diversify PCG's product line and enhance the company's derivatives offerings. BASF Petronas Chemicals Sdn. Bhd (BPC) is a Malaysian chemical company specializing in the production of maleic anhydride.

Major companies operating in the maleic anhydride market are Huntsman Corporation, Lanxess AG, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, HELM AG, Ningbo Jiangning Chemical Co. Ltd., Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd., Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Changzhou Shuguang Chemical Co. Ltd., Bartek Ingredients Inc., BASF SE, Cepsa Química S.L.U., Polynt S.p.A., Sasol Limited, Flint Hills Resources LP, Zibo Qixing Tengda Chemical Co. Ltd., Yongsan Chemicals Inc., Tianjin Bohai Chemicals, Thirumalai Chemicals Limited, Gulf Advanced Chemical Industries Co. Ltd., MOL Group, Yunnan Yunwei Company Limited, Jiangyin Shunfei Fine Chemical Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Zhongteng Chemical Co. Ltd., Fuso Chemical Co. Ltd., Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Shandong Hongxin Chemical Co. Ltd., Baotie Hebei Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., Aekyung Petrochemical Co. Ltd., DSM NV, Merck & Co. Inc., Bluestar Harbin Petrochemical Corporation, INEOS, NAN YA PLASTICS CORPORATION, China National Chemical Corporation, Hexion Inc., Lonza Group AG, Zibo Qixiang Tengda Chemical Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Weishi Biotechnology Co. Ltd., Zouping Qili Additives Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the maleic anhydride market share in 2025 and is also expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the maleic anhydride market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the maleic anhydride market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The maleic anhydride market consists of sales of different forms of maleic anhydride including pellets, flakes and lumps. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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