USA Acrylamide Market Size, Share, Trends and Forecasts 2031

Key Findings

• The USA Acrylamide Market is witnessing strong expansion driven by growing demand from water treatment, paper manufacturing, and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) sectors.
• Increasing use of polyacrylamide derivatives as flocculants, thickeners, and retention aids is a major factor fueling market growth in USA.
• The shift toward wastewater recycling, stricter discharge regulations, and rapid urbanization are contributing significantly to acrylamide consumption.
• Technological advances in biocatalytic production of acrylamide from acrylonitrile are enhancing process efficiency and sustainability.
• Rising adoption of environmentally friendly and non-toxic polyacrylamide formulations is aligning the market with green chemistry goals.
• Volatility in raw material prices (particularly acrylonitrile) and environmental risks associated with acrylamide handling pose key challenges.
• Strategic collaborations among chemical manufacturers, municipal utilities, and industrial water treatment companies are driving innovation in application-specific acrylamide solutions.
• Increasing focus on mining operations, oilfield applications, and polymer-based adhesives is expected to open new growth avenues for the market in USA.

USA Acrylamide Market Size and Forecast

The USA Acrylamide Market is projected to grow from USD 4.2 billion in 2025 to USD 6.7 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 8.1% during the forecast period. The rising need for clean water and the expansion of industrial wastewater treatment facilities are key growth drivers. In USA, the government’s increasing emphasis on sustainable water management and compliance with environmental standards has led to widespread use of polyacrylamide-based flocculants and coagulants. The market is also benefiting from growing oil and gas recovery activities that rely on acrylamide-derived polymers to improve extraction efficiency. Furthermore, growing applications in pulp & paper, textile sizing, and soil conditioning are reinforcing long-term market stability.

Introduction

Acrylamide is an organic compound primarily used as a precursor for polyacrylamide production, a key material employed in water treatment, oil recovery, and paper manufacturing industries. It is synthesized by the hydration of acrylonitrile through catalytic or enzymatic processes. In USA, the material’s role in flocculation, thickening, and adhesion has made it indispensable for industrial and municipal operations. Its derivatives enhance sedimentation and dewatering in wastewater systems, promote fiber retention in papermaking, and serve as rheology modifiers in drilling fluids. Although acrylamide is classified as toxic in its monomeric form, stringent safety protocols and the advent of biocatalytic production methods have significantly improved its environmental profile.

Future Outlook

By 2031, the USA Acrylamide Market will evolve toward eco-efficient production systems and application diversification. Biocatalytic and enzymatic routes using nitrile hydratase will increasingly replace traditional copper-catalyzed hydration due to higher yield, reduced by-products, and lower energy consumption. Demand for polyacrylamide in advanced wastewater treatment, shale gas extraction, and pulp processing will remain high. Moreover, the emergence of bio-based acrylamide precursors and low-toxicity polymer derivatives will align market growth with sustainability objectives. USA is expected to become a major manufacturing hub as regional investments in water infrastructure, industrial modernization, and oilfield optimization continue to expand.

USA Acrylamide Market Trends

• Rising Demand for Polyacrylamide in Water and Wastewater Treatment
  Water scarcity and stricter discharge standards are pushing industries and municipalities in USA to adopt advanced flocculants. Polyacrylamide, synthesized from acrylamide, plays a crucial role in clarifying drinking water and treating industrial effluents. Its high molecular weight and superior bridging capabilities enable efficient sedimentation and solid-liquid separation. As urbanization intensifies, wastewater recycling and reuse are becoming central to sustainability programs, driving large-scale adoption of acrylamide-based treatment chemicals.

• Growing Utilization in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Applications
  Acrylamide-based polymers are extensively used in tertiary oil recovery processes to increase crude oil displacement and reduce water permeability. In USA, the rising need to maximize production from mature oilfields is fueling demand for polyacrylamide as a mobility control agent. Its ability to alter the rheological properties of injection fluids enhances extraction efficiency. With ongoing exploration of unconventional oil and gas reserves, the market for EOR-grade acrylamide polymers is expected to grow steadily throughout the forecast period.

• Increasing Applications in Paper and Pulp Processing
  The pulp and paper industry in USA is a significant consumer of acrylamide derivatives, utilizing them as retention aids, drainage agents, and strength enhancers. Polyacrylamide improves paper sheet formation, reduces energy consumption during pressing, and enhances overall productivity. As the region’s packaging and printing industries expand, demand for high-performance paper chemicals will continue to rise. The shift toward lightweight, recyclable paper materials is further reinforcing the need for efficient polymeric binders and retention systems.

• Advances in Enzymatic and Biocatalytic Production Processes
  Technological innovation is reshaping the production landscape for acrylamide in USA. Enzymatic conversion using nitrile hydratase offers higher selectivity and lower environmental impact compared to conventional chemical catalysis. This process reduces energy consumption, eliminates toxic catalysts, and supports large-scale continuous production. The adoption of such bio-based production methods aligns with global sustainability goals and ensures regulatory compliance for environmentally sensitive industries.

• Emergence of Bio-Based and Low-Toxicity Polyacrylamide Alternatives
  Increasing environmental awareness and stringent chemical safety norms are driving research into bio-based acrylamide and its derivatives. Manufacturers in USA are developing low-toxicity, partially biodegradable polyacrylamides suitable for agricultural, textile, and construction applications. These innovations are supported by government policies promoting green chemistry and carbon footprint reduction. The transition toward sustainable polymer solutions is expected to redefine competitive strategies in the market.

Market Growth Drivers

• Rapid Expansion of Industrial and Municipal Water Treatment Infrastructure
  Urban growth and industrialization in USA are exerting pressure on water resources. The need for efficient water purification systems is boosting demand for acrylamide-based flocculants and coagulants. Polyacrylamides play a vital role in sludge dewatering and wastewater clarification, making them indispensable for sustainable water management.

• Increased Oilfield Exploration and Recovery Operations
  Energy security initiatives in USA are promoting enhanced oil recovery (EOR) programs in mature and unconventional fields. Acrylamide polymers enhance oil displacement efficiency by controlling fluid mobility. Their use significantly improves the economics of oilfield operations, particularly in challenging geological formations.

• Growth of the Pulp & Paper and Packaging Industries
  Expanding consumer goods and e-commerce sectors in USA are driving demand for paper and packaging materials. Acrylamide-based retention and drainage aids help optimize fiber utilization and improve production efficiency. This trend is expected to sustain strong consumption across paper mills and packaging converters.

• Technological Progress in Polymer Synthesis and Formulation
  Continuous improvements in polymerization techniques and molecular tailoring are yielding high-performance polyacrylamides with superior flocculation and viscosity control. These advancements are supporting broader adoption across mining, textiles, and coatings sectors in USA.

• Environmental Regulations Promoting Water Reuse and Industrial Efficiency
  Governments in USA are enforcing stricter wastewater discharge standards and promoting circular water systems. Acrylamide-based polymers are critical for enabling compliance by improving treatment efficiency and reducing chemical loads in effluents.

Challenges in the Market

• Toxicity Concerns and Environmental Risks
  Acrylamide monomer is classified as a potential neurotoxin and carcinogen, necessitating strict handling and disposal measures. In USA, compliance with safety standards increases production costs and regulatory complexity for manufacturers.

• Raw Material Price Volatility
  Dependence on acrylonitrile as a key feedstock exposes the market to fluctuations in global petrochemical prices. Such volatility can affect profit margins and pricing stability for acrylamide producers in USA.

• Competition from Alternative Water Treatment Chemicals
  Inorganic coagulants and organic polymers like polyethyleneimine (PEI) and polyDADMAC offer competitive alternatives in water treatment. The presence of multiple low-cost substitutes may challenge acrylamide market penetration in price-sensitive regions.

• Disposal and Biodegradability Challenges
  While polyacrylamides are non-toxic in their polymerized form, their slow biodegradation rates raise concerns about long-term environmental accumulation. This has prompted increasing scrutiny and demand for bio-based variants.

• Capital-Intensive Production and Compliance Requirements
  Establishing large-scale acrylamide production facilities requires significant capital investment in process safety systems and waste management infrastructure. Compliance with environmental and occupational health regulations adds to operational complexity.

USA Acrylamide Market Segmentation

By Type

• Industrial-Grade Acrylamide

• Laboratory-Grade Acrylamide

• Pharmaceutical-Grade Acrylamide

By Production Process

• Copper-Catalyzed Chemical Hydration of Acrylonitrile

• Biocatalytic (Enzymatic) Hydration

• Hybrid and Emerging Production Processes

By Application

• Water and Wastewater Treatment

• Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)

• Paper and Pulp Processing

• Mining and Mineral Processing

• Textile and Dyeing Industry

• Construction and Soil Conditioning

• Others (Cosmetics, Adhesives, etc.)

By End-Use Industry

• Water Management and Utilities

• Oil and Gas

• Pulp and Paper

• Mining and Metallurgy

• Textile and Chemicals

• Construction and Infrastructure

Leading Key Players

• BASF SE

• SNF Group

• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

• Kemira Oyj

• Nalco Water (Ecolab Inc.)

• Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

• Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.

• Beijing Hengju Chemical Group Corporation

• CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation)

• Anhui Jucheng Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Recent Developments

• BASF SE expanded its acrylamide production capacity in USA using biocatalytic technology to reduce carbon emissions and improve process efficiency.

• SNF Group launched a new generation of low-residual monomer polyacrylamides for industrial wastewater treatment in USA.

• Kemira Oyj introduced bio-based polyacrylamide products tailored for environmentally regulated water treatment projects in USA.

• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation announced a joint venture in USA to develop advanced acrylamide polymers for oilfield and paper applications.

• Nalco Water (Ecolab Inc.) partnered with municipal water authorities in USA to implement polymer optimization programs for large-scale treatment plants.

This Market Report Will Answer the Following Questions

1. What is the projected market size and CAGR of the USA Acrylamide Market by 2031?

2. Which applications and end-user sectors are driving the strongest demand in USA?

3. How are sustainability and technological innovations shaping acrylamide production and use?

4. What challenges do manufacturers face in terms of raw material volatility and regulatory compliance?

5. Who are the leading companies influencing the global and regional competitive landscape of the USA Acrylamide Market?