The North America Polyacrylic Acid Market is expected to witness market growth of 5.7% CAGR during the forecast period (2025-2032). In the year 2021, the North America market's volume surged to 2312.42 hundred tonnes, showcasing a growth of 20.1% (2021-2024).
The US market dominated the North America Polyacrylic Acid Market by country in 2024, and is expected to continue to be a dominant market till 2032; thereby, achieving a market value of $672.7 million by 2032. The Canada market is experiencing a CAGR of 7.9% during 2025-2032. Additionally, the Mexico market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.6% during 2025-2032. The US and Canada led the North America Polyacrylic Acid Market by Country with a market share of 71% and 11.7% in 2024.
The North American polyacrylic acid (PAA) market has changed from being used in water treatment and cleaning in the years after World War II to a diverse, high-value sector driven by new technologies, rules, and goals for sustainability. PAA became popular because of its ability to disperse, prevent scaling, and absorb water. It was first supported by academic research and government programs. It is now used in municipal systems and industrial formulations. Over the years, growth was driven by stricter environmental rules, improvements in polymerization, and more uses in personal care products, detergents, and cement additives. In recent years, new ways of making bio-based acrylic acid have been developed that are better for the environment and less likely to cause problems with petrochemical prices. This is happening at the same time as the use of acrylic acid in water treatment, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals is growing.
The market is divided into three grades: industrial, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical. Industrial applications are the most popular because there is a high demand for water treatment, detergents, and coatings that meet strict environmental standards. Cosmetic-grade PAA is useful for thickening, emulsifying, and stabilizing high-end skincare products. Pharmaceutical-grade PAA is important for drug delivery systems because it is bio-adhesive and has controlled-release properties. Water and wastewater treatment is the biggest use, followed by detergents, coatings, superabsorbent polymers, and special uses in construction, textiles, and adhesives. Performance, customization, and following the rules all affect competition. Success depends on being sustainable, coming up with new ideas, and making high-purity formulations that meet strict safety and environmental standards.
The US market dominated the North America Polyacrylic Acid Market by country in 2024, and is expected to continue to be a dominant market till 2032; thereby, achieving a market value of $672.7 million by 2032. The Canada market is experiencing a CAGR of 7.9% during 2025-2032. Additionally, the Mexico market is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 6.6% during 2025-2032. The US and Canada led the North America Polyacrylic Acid Market by Country with a market share of 71% and 11.7% in 2024.
The North American polyacrylic acid (PAA) market has changed from being used in water treatment and cleaning in the years after World War II to a diverse, high-value sector driven by new technologies, rules, and goals for sustainability. PAA became popular because of its ability to disperse, prevent scaling, and absorb water. It was first supported by academic research and government programs. It is now used in municipal systems and industrial formulations. Over the years, growth was driven by stricter environmental rules, improvements in polymerization, and more uses in personal care products, detergents, and cement additives. In recent years, new ways of making bio-based acrylic acid have been developed that are better for the environment and less likely to cause problems with petrochemical prices. This is happening at the same time as the use of acrylic acid in water treatment, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals is growing.
The market is divided into three grades: industrial, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical. Industrial applications are the most popular because there is a high demand for water treatment, detergents, and coatings that meet strict environmental standards. Cosmetic-grade PAA is useful for thickening, emulsifying, and stabilizing high-end skincare products. Pharmaceutical-grade PAA is important for drug delivery systems because it is bio-adhesive and has controlled-release properties. Water and wastewater treatment is the biggest use, followed by detergents, coatings, superabsorbent polymers, and special uses in construction, textiles, and adhesives. Performance, customization, and following the rules all affect competition. Success depends on being sustainable, coming up with new ideas, and making high-purity formulations that meet strict safety and environmental standards.
Grade Outlook
Based on Grade, the market is segmented into Industrial, Cosmetic, and Pharmaceutical. The Industrial market segment dominated the Mexico Polyacrylic Acid Market by Grade is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6 % during the forecast period thereby continuing its dominance until 2032. Also, The Pharmaceutical market is anticipated to grow as a CAGR of 7.4 % during the forecast period during 2025-2032. In Maxico, 82.18 hundred tonnes of volume polyacrylic acid is expected to be utilized in Pharmaceutical by grade by the year 2032.Country Outlook
The U.S. polyacrylic acid market is supported by a mature industrial base and steady demand, primarily from municipal and industrial water treatment, household detergents, and hygiene products. Stringent regulations, such as the Safe Drinking Water Act and the National Water Reuse Action Plan, drive widespread adoption in wastewater facilities, while growing use in cooling towers, desalination plants, and pharmaceutical excipients reflects expanding application diversity. The market is also witnessing a gradual shift toward bio-based formulations in line with sustainability goals. Competition involves both nationwide players and regional producers offering specialized grades, with moderate entry barriers shaped by capital investment needs and regulatory compliance. Innovation in biodegradable alternatives is opening opportunities for smaller, agile companies.List of Key Companies Profiled
- BASF SE
- The Dow Chemical Company
- The Lubrizol Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.)
- Evonik Industries AG (RAG-Stiftung)
- Ashland Inc.
- Nippon Express Co., Ltd.
- Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co. Ltd.
- Kao Corporation
- Merck KGaA
- SNF Group
Market Report Segmentation
By Grade (Volume, Hundred Tonnes, USD Billion, 2021-2032)- Industrial
- Cosmetic
- Pharmaceutical
- Water & Wastewater Treatment
- Detergents & Cleaners
- Paints, Coatings, & Inks
- Superabsorbent Polymers
- Other Application
- US
- Canada
- Mexico
- Rest of North America
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Market Scope & Methodology
Chapter 2. Market at a Glance
Chapter 3. Market Overview
Chapter 6. Competition Analysis - Global
Chapter 9. North America Polyacrylic Acid Market by Grade
Chapter 10. North America Polyacrylic Acid Market by Application
Chapter 11. North America Polyacrylic Acid Market by Country
Chapter 12. Company Profiles
Companies Mentioned
- BASF SE
- The Dow Chemical Company
- The Lubrizol Corporation (Berkshire Hathaway Inc.)
- Evonik Industries AG (RAG-Stiftung)
- Ashland Inc.
- Nippon Express Co., Ltd.
- Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co. Ltd.
- Kao Corporation
- Merck KGaA
- SNF Group
