The Global Formaldehyde Based Chelating Agent Market was valued at USD 298 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 453.4 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.7% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is fueled by their critical role in industrial water treatment, pulp & paper processing, and cleaning formulations, alongside increasing demand for high-performance chemicals in emerging economies and stricter environmental regulations worldwide.

As the global industrial sector prioritizes operational efficiency and environmental sustainability, the demand for effective chelating agents that control metal ions is surging. These specialized chemicals prevent scale formation, improve product quality, and enhance process stability. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Formaldehyde Based Chelating Agent Industry—a group of chemical giants and specialty manufacturers shaping the future of industrial chelation technology.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Trilon® series (e.g., Trilon M, Trilon C), Versene

BASF is a global leader in the chemical industry and a major supplier of formaldehyde-based chelating agents. Their Trilon® brand encompasses a wide range of products, including EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and DTPA (Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid), which are widely used in detergents, personal care, water treatment, and agrochemicals.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of biodegradable chelating agent alternatives like GLDA (Glutamic acid diacetate)
• Focus on closed-loop water treatment systems to minimize environmental impact
• Committed to achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050

Download FREE Sample Report:
Formaldehyde Based Chelating Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Huntsman Corporation

Headquarters: The Woodlands, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Huntsman (formerly) chelates portfolio, including EDTA and NTA types

Huntsman Corporation, through its Performance Products segment, has been a significant producer of amine-based chemicals and chelating agents. While the company divested its European surfactants business in recent years, its legacy and technical expertise in chelating agents for textiles, agrochemicals, and oilfield applications remain influential in the market.

Innovation Focus:

• Development of high-performance chelates for enhanced oil recovery
• Specialized formulations for the pulp and paper industry to improve bleaching efficiency

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8️⃣ 3. Celanese Corporation

Headquarters: Irving, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Acetic acid derivatives, formaldehyde condensates

Celanese is a global chemical and specialty materials company. While not a direct producer of finished chelating agents on the same scale as others, its position as a leading producer of acetic acid and formaldehyde precursors makes it a critical player in the upstream value chain, supplying essential raw materials to chelating agent manufacturers worldwide.

Value Chain Role:

• Key supplier of methanol and acetic acid, essential for formaldehyde and glyoxylic acid production
• Investment in sustainable acetyls production technologies

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7️⃣ 4. Nouryon

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Dissolvine® series (EDTA, DTPA, HEDTA, GLDA)

Nouryon (formerly part of AkzoNobel) is a dedicated global specialty chemicals leader and a top-tier producer of chelating agents. Its Dissolvine® product line is one of the most recognized in the industry, serving markets from cleaning and pulp bleaching to water treatment and agriculture with a strong emphasis on sustainable solutions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneering the commercialization of biodegradable GLDA (Dissolvine® GL)
• Active member of the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative
• Goal to reduce carbon emissions intensity by 40% by 2030

Download FREE Sample Report:
Formaldehyde Based Chelating Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Versene™ chelating agents (EDTA), technical services

Dow is a materials science giant with a comprehensive portfolio that includes Versene™ chelating agents. These products are critical for preventing metal-ion catalyzed degradation in consumer and industrial applications, including cleaning products, chemical processing, and as stabilizers in polymers and agrochemicals.

Innovation Focus:

• Integration of chelating agents into advanced formulation technologies
• Development of solutions for circular economy models in water treatment

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5️⃣ 6. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Chelest series (EDTA, DTPA), specialty chelating resins

Mitsubishi Chemical is a leading chemical company in Asia, offering a wide array of chelating agents under its Chelest brand. The company has a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region, catering to the electronics, detergents, and water treatment industries with high-purity chelates.

Regional Leadership:

• Strong R&D focus on chelates for microelectronic component cleaning
• Expansion of production capacity to meet growing Asian demand

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4️⃣ 7. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Fennosan, FennoFix chelants for pulp & paper, water treatment

Kemira is a global chemicals company focused on water-intensive industries. It is a key supplier of chelating agents, particularly to the pulp and paper sector, where they are used to control metal ions during hydrogen peroxide bleaching, improving brightness and reducing chemical consumption.

Application Expertise:

• Deep application knowledge in pulp bleaching optimization
• Development of cost-effective and environmentally sound chelant programs

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3️⃣ 8. Lanxess AG

Headquarters: Cologne, Germany
Key Offering: Baypure® (PASP, GLDA), Leverkusen brand chelating agents

Lanxess is a leading specialty chemicals company with a growing portfolio in water treatment technologies. Its Baypure® range includes biodegradable chelating agents like polyaspartic acid (PASP) and GLDA, positioning the company at the forefront of the shift towards more environmentally acceptable alternatives to traditional phosphonates and EDTA.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Championing biodegradable chelant technologies
• Focus on meeting stringent European environmental regulations (REACH)

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2️⃣ 9. Shandong IRO Chelating Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offering: EDTA, DTPA, HEDTA, EDDS, and other chelate types

Shandong IRO is one of the largest and most significant producers of chelating agents in China. The company has a massive production capacity and supplies a global customer base across various industries, playing a crucial role in the competitive landscape, especially in terms of pricing and volume supply.

Market Position:

• High-volume, cost-competitive production of standard chelating agents
• Extensive export network serving North America, Europe, and Asia

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1️⃣ 10. AVA Chemicals Private Limited

Headquarters: Maharashtra, India
Key Offering: EDTA salts, DTPA, NTA, and custom chelant formulations

AVA Chemicals is a prominent Indian manufacturer of specialty chemicals, including a comprehensive range of chelating agents. The company serves diverse sectors such as textiles, agrochemicals, detergents, and personal care, leveraging its strategic location to cater to both domestic and international markets.

Growth Strategy:

• Focus on the fast-growing Indian and South Asian markets
• Expansion of product portfolio to include more value-added specialty chelates

Get Full Report Here:
Formaldehyde Based Chelating Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Formaldehyde Based Chelating Agents is Sustainable and Specialized

The formaldehyde based chelating agent market is experiencing a significant transformation. While established products like EDTA continue to dominate in volume, the industry is heavily investing in biodegradable alternatives, application-specific formulations, and improved environmental profiles to meet regulatory demands and sustainability goals.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Accelerating regulatory phase-out of persistent chelants in Europe and North America
• Rising adoption of bio-based and readily biodegradable chelating agents like GLDA and IDS
• Growing demand from the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in water treatment and agrochemicals
• Increased R&D into novel chelants for niche applications in electronics and pharmaceuticals

Get Full Report Here:
Formaldehyde Based Chelating Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential chemicals to global industries—they are actively driving the innovation needed for a more efficient and sustainable future.