The Global Green Chelating Agents Market was valued at USD 2.54 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 3.52 Billion by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.8% during the forecast period (2024-2029). This growth is being driven by stringent environmental regulations, increasing demand for biodegradable cleaning products, and the accelerating adoption of sustainable practices across the pulp & paper, agrochemicals, and water treatment sectors.

As industries worldwide pivot towards eco-friendly operations to meet sustainability goals, the focus intensifies on the key chemical manufacturers pioneering the development of high-performance, biodegradable chelating solutions. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Green Chelating Agents Industry—a mix of chemical giants and specialty producers shaping the future of sustainable industrial processes.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Trilon® M (MGDA), Gluconal® (Sodium Gluconate)

BASF is a global leader in the chemical industry and a major supplier of high-performance green chelating agents. Their portfolio includes Trilon® M, a readily biodegradable chelant based on Methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), and Gluconal® products derived from renewable raw materials. These solutions are engineered for applications in cleaning, water treatment, and personal care.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Commitment to carbon-neutral growth by 2030

• Advanced biodegradability testing and certification for all Trilon® products

• Investment in bio-based raw material sourcing

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9️⃣ 2. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Versene™ Chelating Agents

Dow offers a range of Versene™ chelating agents, including ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) alternatives and more sustainable options. The company focuses on developing products that meet regulatory standards for environmental safety while delivering superior sequestration performance in industrial and institutional cleaning applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Product stewardship programs to ensure safe use and disposal

• R&D focused on enhancing the biodegradability profile of chelants

• Part of the Alliance to End Plastic Waste

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8️⃣ 3. NIPPON SHOKUBAI Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Acclaim® Series (Biodegradable Polycarboxylates)

NIPPON SHOKUBAI is a prominent Japanese chemical company known for its Acclaim® series of polycarboxylates, which serve as effective and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional phosphates and chelating agents. These are widely used in detergents and water treatment formulations.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of biodegradable polymer technologies

• Focus on creating products with low environmental impact throughout their lifecycle

• Active participation in green chemistry initiatives in Asia

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7️⃣ 4. AkzoNobel N.V.

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Dissolvine® GL (GLDA), EDDHA Micronutrients

AkzoNobel’s Specialty Chemicals business (now part of Nouryon) is a key player, notably through its Dissolvine® brand. Dissolvine® GL (GLDA – L-Glutamic Acid N,N-Diacetic Acid) is a readily biodegradable chelant derived from natural, renewable raw materials, making it a leader in the green chelant space for cleaning and agrochemical applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneer in commercializing GLDA, a chelant with an excellent environmental profile

• “Planet Possible” agenda focusing on sustainable solutions

• Partnerships for sustainable sourcing of bio-based feedstocks

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6️⃣ 5. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Fennofix® Chelants, Biodegradable Sequestering Agents

Kemira is a leading chemicals company serving water-intensive industries. Its product range includes tailored chelating and sequestering agents designed for pulp & paper and water treatment markets, with a growing emphasis on biodegradable options to help customers reduce their environmental footprint.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Focus on developing chemistry that improves resource efficiency

• Committed to achieving climate-neutral operations by 2045

• R&D investments in green chemistry for circular economy applications

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5️⃣ 6. Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG

Headquarters: Basel, Switzerland
Key Offering: Gluconic Acid, Sodium Gluconate, GLDA (XGline)

Jungbunzlauer is a global producer of biodegradable ingredients of natural origin. It is a major supplier of sodium gluconate, a well-established green chelant, and has also introduced its own GLDA product (marketed under the XGline brand), leveraging its expertise in fermentation-based chemistry from renewable resources.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• 100% natural and renewable raw material base for core products

• ISO 14001 certified environmental management systems

• Products are readily biodegradable and have a low ecotoxicity

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4️⃣ 7. Innospec Inc.

Headquarters: Englewood, Colorado, USA
Key Offering: Octaquest® Series (EDDS, IDS)

Innospec’s Performance Chemicals segment offers the Octaquest® family of biodegradable chelating agents, including Ethylenediamine-N,N’-Disuccinic acid (EDDS) and Iminodisuccinic acid (IDS). These products are designed as sustainable alternatives for cleaning, personal care, and industrial applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Specialization in chelants with proven rapid biodegradability

• Focus on innovation for environmental compliance and performance

• Active in developing solutions for niche, high-sustainability markets

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

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Bio-based Gluconates, Citrates

ADM, a global agricultural processing giant, produces a range of bio-based chemicals, including gluconic acid and its salts (sodium gluconate, potassium gluconate), which serve as effective green chelating agents. Its strong position in renewable raw materials gives it a significant advantage in the sustainable chelants market.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Vast infrastructure for processing crops into bio-based chemicals

• Commitment to regenerative agriculture practices

• Goal to reduce absolute GHG emissions by 25% by 2035

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2️⃣ 9. Lanxess AG

Headquarters: Cologne, Germany
Key Offering: Baypure® (Polyaspartic Acid, DS)

Lanxess offers Baypure®, a brand covering chelating and dispersing agents, including polyaspartic acid—a biodegradable polymer. These products are used in detergents, water treatment, and as scale inhibitors, providing an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chelants.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Integration of sustainability criteria into product development

• Focus on water treatment solutions that protect aquatic environments

• Aiming for climate neutrality by 2040

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1️⃣ 10. Taiwan Hopax Chemicals Mfg. Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Key Offering: HIDS (Iminodisuccinic Acid), Sodium Gluconate

Hopax Chemicals is a significant manufacturer of fine chemicals, including a portfolio of green chelating agents like Iminodisuccinic Acid (HIDS) and Sodium Gluconate. The company serves global markets with a focus on providing cost-effective and environmentally sound alternatives for various industrial applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Production of readily biodegradable chelating agents

• Investment in R&D for new green chemical synthesis routes

• Compliance with international environmental and safety standards

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Chelation Is Green and Efficient

The green chelating agents market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional chelants like EDTA still hold considerable market share due to their efficacy and low cost, the industry is rapidly investing in bio-based alternatives, advanced manufacturing processes, and formulations that meet strict regulatory standards for biodegradability and eco-toxicity.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rising regulatory pressure against persistent chelating agents in Europe and North America

• Growing consumer demand for eco-friendly household and personal care products

• Innovation in fermentation technology for cost-effective production of bio-chelants like GLDA and Gluconates

• Expansion of applications in agriculture for micronutrient delivery and in water treatment for membrane cleaning

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Green Chelating Agents Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential chemicals for modern industry—they are actively driving the sustainable transformation of countless manufacturing and cleaning processes worldwide.