Top 10 Companies in the Bio-Based Adipic Acids Industry (2024): Market Leaders Driving Sustainable Polymers

In Business Insights
January 28, 2026


The Global Bio-Based Adipic Acids Market was valued at USD 812.4 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.37 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.8% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This significant growth is fueled by stringent environmental regulations, the global push for decarbonization, and increasing demand for sustainable materials across the nylon, polyurethane, and plasticizer industries.

As the chemical sector accelerates its transition toward a circular economy, bio-based adipic acid has emerged as a critical building block for green polymers. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Bio-Based Adipic Acids Industry—a selection of established chemical giants and innovative bio-technology firms shaping the future of sustainable chemical production.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Bio-based adipic acid precursors, certified sustainable nylon intermediates

BASF is a global leader in the chemical industry with a strong commitment to sustainability. The company is actively developing bio-based routes to adipic acid, a key monomer for nylon 6,6, focusing on processes that utilize renewable feedstocks instead of conventional petroleum-based cyclohexane.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in R&D for sugar-based and lignocellulosic feedstocks
  • Part of the “ChemCycling” project for chemical recycling
  • Target of achieving CO2-neutral growth by 2030

9️⃣ 2. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Bio-derived polymers, high-performance materials

DuPont leverages its deep expertise in material science to develop advanced bio-based materials, including pathways for sustainable adipic acid production. Their focus is on creating drop-in replacements that offer identical performance with a reduced carbon footprint.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of proprietary bio-catalysis processes
  • Strategic collaborations for scaling bio-manufacturing
  • Commitment to 60% of revenue from sustainable solutions

8️⃣ 3. Lanxess AG

Headquarters: Cologne, Germany
Key Offering: Eco-friendly engineering plastics, bio-based intermediates

Lanxess is a specialty chemicals company with a significant footprint in high-tech plastics. The company is investing in bio-based alternatives for its product portfolio, including pathways to produce adipic acid from renewable resources to supply the growing demand for green polyamides.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Climate-neutral target for 2040
  • Focus on circular economy principles for material flows
  • Partnerships along the value chain for bio-based raw materials

7️⃣ 4. Asahi Kasei Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Green chemicals, bio-nylon resins

Asahi Kasei is a diversified Japanese chemical company pioneering in sustainable chemistry. It is exploring innovative biological and catalytic processes to produce adipic acid, aiming to reduce the environmental impact associated with its traditional nitric acid oxidation route.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • R&D in white biotechnology for chemical synthesis
  • Integration of biomass-derived feedstocks
  • Long-term vision for a carbon-neutral society by 2050

Download FREE Sample Report:
Bio-Based Adipic Acids Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Rhodia (Solvay Group)

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Specialty polyamides, sustainable chemical solutions

Rhodia, part of the Solvay Group, is a key producer of polyamide resins and intermediates. The company has a strong focus on developing bio-based routes for its product lines, including efforts to commercialize adipic acid production from non-fossil sources to cater to eco-conscious markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Solvay One Planet sustainability framework
  • Target to generate 15% of revenue from bio-based or recycled materials
  • Active in developing circular economy models for plastics

5️⃣ 6. Invista

Headquarters: Wichita, Kansas, USA
Key Offering: Nylon 6,6 intermediates, adiponitrile technology

INVISTA is a leading integrated producer of intermediates for nylon 6,6, with proprietary technology for adiponitrile and adipic acid. The company is investing in research to adapt its processes for bio-based feedstocks, ensuring the sustainability of its core polymer chains.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Optimization of existing processes for efficiency and lower emissions
  • Exploring bio-based precursors for its chemical pathways
  • Commitment to responsible care and sustainable operations

4️⃣ 7. DSM (Now Part of Firmenich)

Headquarters: Heerlen, Netherlands (Operational focus)
Key Offering: Biosciences, sustainable material solutions

DSM, now combined with Firmenich as DSM-Firmenich, has a strong legacy in biotechnology and biosciences. The company applies its fermentation and enzymatic expertise to develop bio-based production methods for chemicals like adipic acid, offering a lower-carbon alternative to petrochemicals.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering in industrial biotechnology applications
  • Dedicated programs for bio-aromatics and di-acids
  • Science-based targets for climate action

3️⃣ 8. Ascend Performance Materials

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Integrated nylon 6,6 value chain, chemical intermediates

Ascend Performance Materials is a major player in the nylon industry. The company is actively evaluating and developing sustainable technologies, including bio-based routes for adipic acid, to reduce the lifecycle carbon footprint of its products and meet customer sustainability goals.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Aspire to Sustainable Nylon Leadership
  • Investment in R&D for green chemistry innovations
  • Commitment to continuous improvement in environmental performance

2️⃣ 9. Verdezyne, Inc. (Acquisition Target)

Headquarters: Carlsbad, California, USA
Key Offering: Bio-based dicarboxylic acid platform (including adipic acid)

Verdezyne was a biotechnology company that developed a proprietary yeast-based fermentation process to produce adipic acid directly from renewable plant-based oils and sugars. Its innovative approach represented a significant leap forward in green chemistry for nylon precursors.

Technology Focus:

  • Proprietary microbial fermentation platform
  • Direct production of bio-adipic acid, bypassing traditional chemistry
  • Potential for significant GHG emission reductions

1️⃣ 10. Rennovia Inc. (Assets Acquired)

Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, USA (Historical)
Key Offering: Catalytic process technology for bio-based chemicals

Rennovia developed novel catalytic chemical processes to produce adipic acid and other monomers from renewable feedstocks like glucose. Although the company’s assets were acquired, its technology continues to influence the development of cost-competitive bio-based adipic acid production.

Innovation Legacy:

  • Catalytic hydrogenation of bio-sourced feedstocks
  • Aim to achieve lower production costs than petroleum-based routes
  • Focus on process efficiency and scalability

Read Full Report:
Bio-Based Adipic Acids Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Bio-Based Adipic Acids Is Green and Circular

The bio-based adipic acid market is at a pivotal juncture. While the traditional petrochemical route still dominates production, significant investments in biotechnology and green chemistry are paving the way for a more sustainable future. The industry is moving towards closed-loop systems that minimize waste and carbon emissions.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Advancements in synthetic biology and fermentation technology
  • Increasing regulatory pressure and carbon pricing mechanisms
  • Growing consumer and brand owner demand for sustainable products
  • Strategic partnerships between chemical companies and biotech firms

Read Full Report:
Bio-Based Adipic Acids Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies leading this charge are not just producing chemicals—they are fundamentally redesigning the molecular building blocks of modern industry for a sustainable future.