Top 10 Companies in the Global Lactic Acid & Derivatives Market (2025): Leaders Driving Sustainable Bioplastics and Food Innovation

In Business Insights
December 18, 2025


The Global Lactic Acid & Derivatives Market was valued at USD 3.45 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 6.82 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.1% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth is driven by the escalating demand for biodegradable polymers like Polylactic Acid (PLA), the expansion of the food & beverage industry, and increasing applications in pharmaceuticals and personal care.

As the world shifts towards sustainable and bio-based solutions, the companies producing lactic acid and its derivatives are at the forefront of this transformation. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Global Lactic Acid & Derivatives Industry—a blend of established chemical giants and specialized biotech firms shaping the future of green chemistry.

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🔟 1. Corbion Purac

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Lactic Acid, Lactides, PLA (Polylactic Acid)

Corbion Purac is a global leader in lactic acid, lactic acid derivatives, and lactides. The company serves a diverse range of markets, including bioplastics, food, and pharmaceuticals, with a strong focus on developing innovative, sustainable solutions. Their high-purity lactic acid is a critical building block for PLA, a leading biodegradable polymer.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering the development of next-generation PLA polymers with enhanced heat resistance.

  • Committed to using 100% renewable energy at its production facilities.

  • Strategic partnerships to commercialize fully circular bio-based products.


9️⃣ 2. Galactic

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Lactic Acid, Lactates, Biosolvents

Galactic is a major European producer of lactic acid and its salts (lactates). The company has carved a niche in high-value applications for the food, cosmetic, and industrial sectors. Galactic is known for its fermentation expertise and commitment to creating eco-friendly products that replace traditional petrochemicals.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in advanced fermentation technologies to improve yield and reduce waste.

  • Development of green solvents derived from lactic acid for industrial cleaning applications.


8️⃣ 3. ADM (Archer-Daniels-Midland Company)

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Bio-Based Lactic Acid, Plant-Based Ingredients

ADM, a global agricultural processing giant, is a significant player in the bio-based chemicals space. Leveraging its extensive biomass sourcing and processing capabilities, ADM produces lactic acid as part of its broader portfolio of renewable products aimed at the food, feed, and industrial markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expanding production capacity for bio-based chemicals to meet growing demand.

  • Focus on integrating lactic acid production into its biorefining operations for greater efficiency.


7️⃣ 4. Cargill

Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: NatureWorks PLA (via joint venture), Lactic Acid for Food

While Cargill’s direct involvement is often through its joint venture, NatureWorks, it is a cornerstone of the lactic acid and PLA market. NatureWorks is one of the world’s largest producers of PLA biopolymers (marketed as Ingeo™), which are derived from renewable plant sugars. Cargill also supplies lactic acid for food applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • NatureWorks is a global leader in commercializing PLA for packaging, textiles, and durable goods.

  • Commitment to sourcing sustainable agricultural feedstocks for fermentation.

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Global Lactic Acid & Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Musashino Chemical

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Lactic Acid, Lithium Lactate, Ethyl Lactate

Musashino Chemical is a leading Japanese specialist in organic acids, with a strong presence in the lactic acid market. The company produces a variety of lactic acid and lactate products that are essential for electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food preservation in the Asia-Pacific region.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of high-purity lactates for the growing lithium-ion battery industry.

  • Focus on R&D for new derivative applications in green electronics.


5️⃣ 6. Henan Jindan Lactic Acid Technology Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Henan, China
Key Offering: Lactic Acid, Calcium Lactate, Sodium Lactate

Henan Jindan is one of China’s largest and most technologically advanced manufacturers of lactic acid. The company has significantly expanded its production capacity to serve both domestic and international markets, with a strong focus on the food, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Major investments in scaling up production to meet global demand for biodegradable plastics.

  • Implementation of energy-efficient fermentation and purification processes.


4️⃣ 7. Anhui COFCO Biochemical & GALACTIC

Headquarters: Anhui, China
Key Offering: Lactic Acid for PLA and Food Industries

This joint venture between China’s COFCO and Belgium’s Galactic combines strong local production capabilities with international technology and market access. It is a key supplier of lactic acid in Asia, strategically positioned to serve the booming PLA market and other industrial applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Leveraging a hybrid model of Chinese manufacturing scale and European sustainability standards.

  • Focus on producing cost-competitive lactic acid for the mass adoption of bioplastics.


3️⃣ 8. Chongqing Bofei Biochemical Products Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Chongqing, China
Key Offering: Lactic Acid, Lactates

Chongqing Bofei is another major Chinese producer that has grown rapidly to become a significant global player. The company’s large-scale production facilities supply lactic acid and its derivatives to a wide array of industries, contributing significantly to the region’s bio-economy.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Rapid expansion of production capacity to capitalize on the global shift to bio-based materials.

  • Investment in waste reduction and water recycling technologies within its manufacturing processes.


2️⃣ 9. Aldon Corporation

Headquarters: Visalia, California, USA
Key Offering: Specialty Lactates, Lactic Acid Salts

Aldon Corporation specializes in high-purity, specialty lactic acid derivatives, particularly lactates for the pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial sectors. The company is known for its focus on quality and custom synthesis capabilities for niche applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Developing eco-friendly cosmetic ingredients derived from lactic acid.

  • Emphasis on green chemistry principles in the synthesis of specialty derivatives.


1️⃣ 10. Tedia Company Inc.

Headquarters: Fairfield, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: High-Purity Lactic Acid for HPLC and Pharmaceutical Applications

Tedia Company is a leading global supplier of high-purity solvents and chemicals. While not a primary producer, it is a critical distributor and purifier of lactic acid, supplying USP and HPLC grades that are essential for sensitive applications in pharmaceuticals, chromatography, and analytical laboratories.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Sourcing and purifying bio-based lactic acid for use in environmentally sensitive applications.

  • Ensuring a reliable supply chain for high-purity, sustainable lab chemicals.

Get Full Report Here:
Global Lactic Acid & Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Lactic Acid & Derivatives is Bio-Based and Circular

The lactic acid and derivatives market is experiencing a paradigm shift. While traditional applications in food preservation and acidity regulation remain strong, the industry’s future is being rewritten by the explosive growth of bioplastics and the push for circular economy principles.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerating demand for Polylactic Acid (PLA) as a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics in packaging and textiles.

  • Stringent global regulations banning single-use plastics, creating mandatory demand for biodegradable solutions.

  • Technological advancements in fermentation and purification processes, leading to cost reductions and higher-quality outputs.

  • Growing R&D investment in novel lactic acid derivatives for healthcare, agriculture, and electronics.

Get Full Report Here:
Global Lactic Acid & Derivatives Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential biochemicals—they are actively building the foundation for a more sustainable and circular global economy.