Pelargonic Acid Market Analysis

Pelargonic acid is a saturated, nine-carbon fatty acid found naturally as esters in the essential oil of pelargonium spp (perennial plants). It can also be extracted from plant tissues. Pelargonic acid, in combination with its salts and emulsifiers, is a nonselective herbicide that can be used in the garden or in agriculture across the world. They're utilized as contact burndown herbicides, which attack cell membranes, causing cell leakage and membrane acyl lipid breakdown in the process. Pelargonic acid is also used in the cosmetic industry to make esters, which are used in cosmetic and personal care products.

The global pelargonic acid market is estimated to surpass US$ 242.48 million by the end of 2027, in terms of revenue, exhibiting at a CAGR of 5.83% during the forecast period (2021 to 2027).

Drivers

Pelargonic acid is widely used as a lubricant feedstock. This can be attributed to the fact that pelargonic acid is derived from bio-based feedstock. Thus, demand for pelargonic acid is expected to grow with the rising demand for bio-lubricants. As a result, a majority of the chemical manufacturers have started leveraging the physical properties of pelargonic acid for the production of industrial lubricants. For instance, in May 2015, Oxea Chemicals a subsidiary of Oman Oil Company S.A.O.C., launched high purity n-Pelargonic Acid HP as an effective industrial alternative to conventional fatty acids named Capric Acid (C10), and Caprylic Acid (C8). This high purity n-Pelargonic Acid HP can be further used as raw material for manufacturing high-performance synthetic lubricant esters.

Among regions, Asia Pacific dominated the global pelargonic acid market in 2020, accounting for 43.3% share, in terms of revenue, followed by Europe, and Latin America respectively. As a result of increase in demand for biobased products in the agriculture industry, as well as product innovation.

Figure 1. Global Pelargonic Acid Market, Revenue Share (%), By Region, 2020

Market Restraints

During the forecast period, pelargonic acid market expansion is expected to be hampered by limited application and the use of alternatives of pelargonic acid. Pelargonic acid herbicides have the potential to harm organisms and human health in both direct and indirect ways. Biological impacts of these substances include genetic harm and a variety of physiological changes in the organisms exposed to pelargonic acid herbicides. This overuse of pelargonic acid herbicides has resulted in major issues, including potential damage to non-target plants and crops, herbicide residues in the water and soil, and concerns regarding human health and safety. All of these factors restrict the expansion of the global pelargonic acid market.

Market Opportunities

Pelargonic acid is majorly used in personal care & cosmetics industry for formulation of skin & hair conditioning agents. The demand for personal care & cosmetics product is expected to increase, owing to rising aging population and growing consciousness to maintain youthful skin and a good appearance. The global pelargonic acid market is expected to witness growth with its increasing use in personal care & cosmetics sector.

Pelargonic Acid Market Report Coverage

Report Coverage	Details
Base Year:	2020	Market Size in 2020:	US$ 162.21 Mn
Historical Data for:	2017 to 2019	Forecast Period:	2021 to 2027
Forecast Period 2021 to 2027 CAGR:	5.83%	2027 Value Projection:	US$ 242.48 Mn
Geographies covered:	North America: U.S., and Canada Europe: U.K., Germany , Italy , Spain, Russia, and Rest of Europe Asia Pacific: China, India , Japan, South Korea, ASEAN, Australia, and Rest of Asia Pacific Latin America: Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, and Rest of Latin America Middle East and Africa
Segments covered:	By Grade: Natural Grade and Synthetic Grade By Application: Detergents, Lubricants, Lacquer & Coatings, Herbicide, Food Additives, and Others (Personal Care & Cosmetics, etc.)
Companies covered:	Central Drug House, Croda International Plc., Emery Oleochemicals, Glentham Life Sciences Limited, Haihang Industry, Kunshan Odowell Co., Ltd, Matrica S.p.A, OQ Chemicals GmbH, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., and Zhengzhou Yibang Industry & Commerce Co., Ltd.
Growth Drivers:	Increasing product launches by key players to fulfil global demands Increasing utilization of pelargonic acid as cleaning agent
Restraints & Challenges:	Health hazards associated with usage of pelargonic acid

Figure 2. Global Pelargonic Acid Market – Opportunity Analysis

Market Trends

Emerging trends that seem to have a direct influence on market expansion include product launches. Several key players are engaging in research and development to improve and provide innovative pelargonic product into the market. For instance, in September 2017, OQ Chemicals GmbH a leading manufacturer of oxo intermediates and oxo derivatives launched a new Halal-certified pelargonic acid product. The company's Bay City factory follows strict rules to ensure that its raw materials, production methods, handling, and logistics strictly comply with Islamic religious requirements.

One of the emerging trends include rising utilization of pelargonic acid as detergent. Pelargonic acid is also used as a precursor to peroxynonanoic acid in cleaning products. Peroxycarboxylic acids are used as bleaching agents and for antimicrobial activity (such as sanitization, disinfection, and sterilization). Thus, pelargonic acid has applications in industrial detergents, water purification, and microbial activity management in public places (malls and others). For instance, in October 2019, BASF SE increased its yearly production capacity of alkyl polyglucosides (APG), a non-ionic surfactant, at its Jinshan facility in China from 20 Kilotons to 30 Kilotons, in order to meet increasing demand for detergent-based home and personal care products in North America region, which is expected to drive the market growth. The growth in the detergents industry has given a boost to the global pelargonic acid market.

Figure 3. Global Pelargonic Acid Market, Revenue Share (%), By Grade, in 2020

On the basis of grade, natural grade segment dominated the global pelargonic acid market in 2020, accounting for around 65.2% of market share, in terms of revenue, followed by synthetic grade, owing to the rising adoption of herbicides or plant protection pesticides to control the weeds in the plants and turf-grass.

Global Pelargonic Acid Market - Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

The COVID-19 had a significant impact on the global pelargonic acid market. Imposition of lockdown across major countries including China, the U.S., Italy, and India has led to disruption in the supply chain across the globe. Furthermore, stringent containment measures imposed by governments of various countries and preventive measures to control the impact of the outbreak has led to a significant restriction on transportation, leading to supply chain disruptions across the economies. Biopesticides such as pelargonic acid find its applications in the production of herbicides, specialty chemicals, lubricants, food additives, and others across several industrial sectors. Except for its application in the herbicides industry, COVID-19 has reduced demand for pelargonic acid across all other industry verticals. For instance, according to Coherent Market Insights’ (CMI) analysis, global demand for specialty chemicals fell by over 5% in May 2020 amid the COVID-19 crisis.

Competitive Section

Key players operating in the global pelargonic acid market include Central Drug House, Croda International Plc., Emery Oleochemicals, Glentham Life Sciences Limited, Haihang Industry, Kunshan Odowell Co., Ltd, Matrica S.p.A, OQ Chemicals GmbH, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., and Zhengzhou Yibang Industry & Commerce Co., Ltd.

Few Recent Developments

In July 2021, Lely North America, Inc., an agricultural solutions provider company, launched Quaress Omnia teat spray for protecting crops from pests. This spray contains pelargonic acid.