The Global Propionic Acid Market was valued at USD 730 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 914 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.4% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This sustained growth is driven by increasing demand for food and feed preservation, expansion in pharmaceutical applications, and the strategic focus on sustainable production methods by key industry players.

As the chemical industry evolves to meet global food security and safety demands, the emphasis is on the leading producers who are driving innovation in production efficiency and cleaner chemical pathways. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Propionic Acid Industry—a blend of chemical giants, process innovators, and regional leaders shaping the future of this essential preservative market.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: High-purity Propionic Acid, Derivatives (Calcium Propionate, Sodium Propionate)

BASF SE is the undisputed global leader in the propionic acid market, leveraging its vast chemical production infrastructure and technological expertise. The company operates large-scale production facilities in Europe, North America, and Asia, serving a diverse customer base across food, feed, and pharmaceutical sectors. Their continuous investment in process optimization, particularly the Reppe process, ensures cost leadership and consistent quality.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneering catalyst improvements to increase Reppe process yield and reduce energy consumption

• Strategic partnership with agricultural conglomerates for integrated grain preservation solutions

• Committed to increasing the share of bio-based or recycled raw materials in its product portfolio

Download FREE Sample Report: Propionic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. The Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Industrial and Food Grade Propionic Acid, Propionate Salts

Dow Chemical Company is a major force in the North American propionic acid market, benefiting from vertical integration with its upstream petrochemical operations. The company’s strong presence in the agricultural sector, particularly in the United States and Latin America, drives significant demand for its feed preservative products. Recent capacity expansions are aimed at capturing growth in emerging Asian markets.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investing in advanced oxidation technologies to minimize wastewater impact from production

• Developing tailored propionic acid blends for specific crop protection and animal feed applications

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8️⃣ 3. Perstorp Holding AB

Headquarters: Perstorp, Sweden
Key Offering: ProAcqua (aqueous propionic acid), ProSid (preservative blends), High-Purity Grades

Perstorp has carved out a strong niche as a specialty chemicals leader with a focus on propionic acid and its derivatives. The company is recognized for its customer-centric approach, offering customized preservative solutions for the food and feed industries. Their recent acquisitions have strengthened their distribution network across Europe and Asia.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Leading the development of ProAcqua, a safer-to-handle aqueous solution reducing workplace hazards

• Active R&D in bio-based production pathways to reduce carbon footprint

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7️⃣ 4. Eastman Chemical Company

Headquarters: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Propionic Acid, Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP)

Eastman Chemical Company is a significant player, particularly valued for its high-purity propionic acid used in pharmaceutical and specialty plastic applications. Their production of Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP), a key derivative for coatings and plastics, provides a diversified revenue stream and positions them at the higher-value end of the market.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Focus on circular economy models, exploring recycling of plastic derivatives back into chemical feedstocks

• Advanced purification technologies for pharmaceutical-grade propionic acid to meet stringent regulatory standards

Download FREE Sample Report: Propionic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Sasol Limited

Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Key Offering: Propionic Acid, Oxo-alcohols and derivatives

Sasol is a dominant force in the African market and a key global supplier, utilizing its unique coal-to-chemicals (CTL) technology. This provides a strategic advantage in regions with abundant coal resources, insulating them from ethylene and propylene price volatility. Sasol serves growing demand from Africa’s developing agricultural and food processing sectors.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Investing in carbon capture and utilization (CCU) technologies to mitigate the environmental impact of CTL processes

• Expanding market reach in Southeast Asia through strategic partnerships

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5️⃣ 6. BASF-YPC Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Nanjing, China
Key Offering: Cost-competitive Propionic Acid for Asian markets

As a joint venture between BASF and Sinopec, BASF-YPC is a powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific region. It leverages local feedstock advantages and BASF’s technological expertise to produce propionic acid at highly competitive costs. The company is central to supplying China’s massive animal feed and food processing industries.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Implementing BASF’s proprietary Verbund concept for highly integrated and efficient production

• Focusing on meeting China’s increasingly stringent environmental and food safety regulations

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4️⃣ 7. Yancheng Huade Biological Engineering Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Yancheng, Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: Propionic Acid, Sodium Propionate, Calcium Propionate

Yancheng Huade has emerged as a major Chinese producer, having significantly expanded its capacity in recent years to capitalize on domestic demand. The company specializes in preservatives for the feed and food industries and competes aggressively on price, making it a key supplier for cost-sensitive markets within China and for export.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Rapid scaling of production capacity to achieve economies of scale

• Investing in wastewater treatment technologies to comply with national environmental policies

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3️⃣ 8. Daicel Corporation

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: High-Purity Propionic Acid, Cellulose Derivatives

Daicel Corporation is a key Japanese chemical company with a strong focus on specialty chemicals, including high-value propionic acid derivatives. Their expertise lies in producing ultra-pure grades for pharmaceutical applications and specialized cellulose acetate propionate for advanced materials, serving demanding customers in electronics and automotive sectors.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Strong R&D focus on developing new applications for CAP in biodegradable plastics and advanced films

• Emphasis on green chemistry principles to minimize solvent use and waste generation in derivative production

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2️⃣ 9. OXEA GmbH (A subsidiary of Oman Oil Company)

Headquarters: Monheim am Rhein, Germany
Key Offering: Oxo-process derived Propionic Acid, Carboxylic Acids

OXEA is a global leader in oxo-intermediates and derivatives, including propionic acid produced via the Oxo process. The company’s strength lies in its integrated production from propylene to a wide range of carboxylic acids, offering customers reliable supply and consistent quality. They have a strong foothold in the European and American markets.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Optimizing the Oxo process for greater efficiency and lower energy intensity

• Exploring the use of alternative, bio-based feedstocks for future production

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1️⃣ 10. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Propionic Acid-based preservatives for pulp, paper, and water treatment

Kemira occupies a unique position by focusing on propionic acid applications beyond food and feed, particularly in the pulp & paper and water treatment industries. They use propionic acid as a biocide and preservative in process waters and industrial applications, showcasing the chemical’s versatility and creating a specialized market segment.

Innovation and Sustainability Initiatives:

• Developing advanced formulation technologies to enhance the efficacy of propionic acid in industrial water systems

• Strong focus on providing sustainable chemistry solutions for water-intensive industries

Get Full Report Here: Propionic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Propionic Acid Is Sustainable and Application-Driven

The propionic acid market is undergoing a strategic transformation. While traditional food and feed preservation continue to drive volume, the industry is increasingly investing in sustainable production methods, high-value derivatives, and innovative applications across diverse sectors.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Accelerated R&D into bio-based production via fermentation to reduce reliance on petroleum feedstocks

• Growing regulatory emphasis on food safety, particularly in emerging economies, boosting preservative demand

• Expansion into pharmaceutical intermediates and specialty polymers like Cellulose Acetate Propionate (CAP)

• Strategic consolidation and capacity expansions in Asia-Pacific to serve the world’s fastest-growing consumption region

Get Full Report Here: Propionic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a critical industrial chemical—they’re pioneering the safe and sustainable preservation of the global food supply and enabling advancements in materials science.