Nitric Acid Market Size, Share, Growth and Forecast 2026-2035

The global nitric acid market size was estimated at USD 33.85 billion in 2025 and is expected to increase from USD 34.78 billion in 2026 to USD 44.40 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 2.75% from 2026 to 2035. Asia Pacific dominated the nitric acid market with the largest revenue share of 66.00% in 2025.The growth of the market is driven by the increased demand for nitrogen-based fertilizers, supporting the growth of the market. The nitric acid market is highly significant due to its critical role in producing ammonium nitrate for fertilizers and mining explosives, supporting global food production and infrastructure development. As a vital chemical intermediate, it drives the manufacturing of polyurethane foams (TDI), adipic acid for nylon, and various cleaning agents. Nitric acid is essential for manufacturing explosives used in mining coal, iron ore, and gold, as well as in construction and demolition activities.

Market Highlights

• By region, Europe dominated the market share 66.00% in 2025. The strong presence of a production hub fuels the growth of the market.
• By application, the fertilizers segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 30.00% in 2025. The rising demand from agriculture and the food industries fuels the growth.
• By application, the nitrobenzene segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR between 2026 and 2035. The demand from the chemical and automotive industries fuels the growth of the market.

Key Technological Shifts In The Nitric Acid Market: 

The market is shifting toward sustainable, low-emission production to meet strict environmental regulations, focusing on reducing emissions by up to 90%. Key advancements include adopting green ammonia, enhancing catalyst efficiency, implementing digital monitoring, and exploring carbon capture (CCU) to improve yield and sustainability. To reduce the carbon footprint, producers are increasingly testing and using green ammonia, produced via renewable energy, as a cleaner feedstock.

Nitric Acid Market Use and supply

Nitric acid is a highly versatile and widely used industrial chemical. It’s a strong acid, primarily used in the production of fertilizers, especially ammonium nitrate, which is essential for agricultural crops. Aside from its role in fertilizers, nitric acid is also important in the manufacturing of explosives, including TNT (trinitrotoluene) and dynamite.

Additionally, nitric acid is used in the production of chemicals like adipic acid, which is crucial for making nylon, and in the metal industry for processes like cleaning and etching metals. It’s also used in the food industry for some preservation processes, though that’s less common. The supply of nitric acid is closely tied to the chemical industry, as it’s produced in large quantities from ammonia. Nitric acid is made through a process called the Ostwald process, where ammonia is oxidized to form nitrogen oxides, which are then reacted with water to produce nitric acid. It’s a key chemical for many industries, with a steady supply demand in agricultural, manufacturing, and chemical sectors.

Growth Trends: 

• Industrial Explosives & Mining: Increased mining activity in Australia, Indonesia, and Africa is boosting the demand for technical-grade ammonium nitrate, a derivative of nitric acid.
• Sustainability and Technology: Companies are investing in modern, energy-efficient, and low-emission production technologies to comply with stricter environmental regulations.
• Chemical Intermediates: Growing demand for nitrobenzene used in polyurethane production is driving demand in the chemical sector. 

Report Scope

Trade Analysis Of Nitric Acid Market: Import & Export Statistics 

According to Global Export Data, the world exported 32,659 Nitric Acid shipments through 3,187 verified exporters and 4,133 buyers.

Top-performing Global Nitric Acid Exporters by volume:

• ACROS ORGANICS BVBA: 1,309 shipments (37%)
• Cong Ty TNHH TM-SX Nong San Thuc Pham Quoc Te Quan: 371 shipments (11%)
• HYOSUNG TNC CORPORATION: 357 shipments (10%) 

Nitric Acid Market -- Supply Chain Analysis

Chemical Production & Processing

• Nitric acid is produced through catalytic oxidation of ammonia via the Ostwald process and is further concentrated and processed for use in fertilizers, explosives, and chemical manufacturing.
• Key Players: Yara International, CF Industries, Nutrien, BASF.

Quality Testing & Certification

• Nitric acid must comply with chemical purity standards, hazardous material handling regulations, and environmental safety requirements before industrial distribution.
• Key Authorities & Standards: International Organization for Standardization, European Chemicals Agency, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Distribution to End-Use Industries

• Nitric acid is supplied to fertilizer manufacturers, explosives producers, chemical processing industries, metal treatment facilities, and pharmaceutical intermediate producers.
• Key Suppliers: Yara International, CF Industries, Nutrien.

Nitric Acid Regulatory Landscape: Global Regulations

Segmental Insights 

Application Insights

Which Application Dominated the Nitric Acid Market in 2025?

The fertilizers segment dominated the market share 30.00% in 2025, driven by the high demand for nitrogen-based fertilizers like ammonium nitrate and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) to support global agricultural output and food security, which fuels the growth of the market. The need to increase crop yields to ensure food security for a growing global population is the primary driver. The increasing global population, the need for enhanced agricultural productivity, and the rising demand for nitrogen-based fertilizers in developing economies are driving this market.

The nitrobenzene segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR between 2026 and 2035 in the market, driven by its critical role in producing aniline for polyurethane foams and coatings in the construction and automotive sectors, fueling the growth of the market. The major growth is driven by the nitrobenzene demand, which is accelerating due to industrial expansion. The demand is propelled by the automotive and construction industries for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), which is produced from nitrobenzene, further supporting the growth and expansion of the market.

Nitric Acid Market Share, By Application  , 2025 (%)

Regional Insights

The Europe nitric acid market size was valued at USD 22.34  billion in 2025 and is expected to be worth around USD 29.53 billion by 2035, exhibiting at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.83% over the forecast period from 2026 to 2035.Europe dominated the market in 2025, driven by strong demand for fertilizers and chemical intermediates like nitrobenzene, fueling the growth of the market. The industry is focused on high-efficiency, low-emission technologies to comply with strict EU environmental regulations, such as the Green Deal. Stringent EU regulations regarding emissions are forcing industry players to adopt low-emission technologies like Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). Major industry players in the region include BASF SE, Yara International ASA, DuPont de Nemours Inc., and Thyssenkrupp AG, which play a very important role in growth.

Germany Nitric Acid Market Growth Factor

Germany's nitric acid market is experiencing growth driven by high demand from the fertilizer and chemical (adipic acid) sectors, which fuels the growth of the market in the country. The primary driver is the production of ammonium nitrate for agricultural fertilizers, with steady growth expected due to increasing food demand. Key players include BASF and Yara, which play a significant role in the growth of the market in the country, with production focused on meeting agricultural needs and industrial applications like automotive manufacturing, supporting the growth of the market. 

North America Nitric Acid Market Growth Factor

North America nitric acid market segment accounted for the major revenue share of 12.00% in 2025. North America is expected to have the fastest growth in the market share in the forecast period between 2026 and 2035, driven by strong demand in the fertilizer (ammonium nitrate), automotive, and specialty chemical sectors, increasing demand for high-purity, electronic-grade acid for semiconductors, and fueling the growth of the market in the region. High demand for lightweight, fuel-efficient vehicles boosts the production of polyurethane, a major consumer of nitric acid, which fuels the growth of the market, supporting the expansion of the market. 

U.S. Nitric Acid Market Growth Factor

The U.S. nitric acid market growth is driven by high demand for nitrogen-based fertilizers and, increasingly, adipic acid for nylon production in the automotive sector, fueling the growth of the market. The other major factors in the country are rising agricultural demand, industrial adoption of adipic acid for lightweight vehicle manufacturing, and technological advancements in production. The U.S. is the primary market for production and consumption, bolstered by robust, well-established mining and agricultural sectors, supporting the growth and expansion of the market. 

Asia Pacific Nitric Acid Market Growth Factor

Asia Pacific nitric acid market segment accounted for the major revenue share of 14.00% in 2025Asia Pacific market is experiencing growth driven by rapid industrialization, automotive growth, and mining expansion, which fuels the growth of the market in the region. The market is shifting toward sustainable production, such as new, cleaner technology plants in India, with Thailand showing high growth potential in the region. High consumption of ammonium nitrate fertilizers to boost crop yields, especially in China and India, further fuels the growth and expansion of the market in the region.

Nitric Acid Market Share, By Regional, 2025 (%)

India Nitric Acid Market Growth Factor

The Indian nitric acid market is expected to experience significant growth driven primarily by high demand for nitrogen-based fertilizers, explosive manufacturing for mining, and industrial chemical applications, supporting the market's expansion in the country. Rising agricultural output needs, increasing infrastructure development, and specialized demand for high-purity electronic-grade nitric acid are some of the major growth factors in the country due to increased demand.

Recent Developments

• In December 2025, Deepak Chem Tech Limited, a subsidiary of Deepak Nitrite, commissioned a ₹515 crore nitric acid plant in Nandesari, Gujarat, with a capacity of 70,000 TPA. The new facility enhances the company’s backward integration from Ammonia to Amines and strengthens its competitive position.(Source: www.manufacturingtodayindia.com)
• In March 2025, 3Degrees launched the Low Carbon Fertilizer Alliance (LCFA) in collaboration with Mars, Inc., and CF Industries to accelerate the decarbonization of agricultural supply chains. The initiative aims to scale emissions reduction projects, including a flagship project expected to cut 600,000 metric tons of CO2e annually.(Source: www.businesswire.com)
• In September 2025, GFS Chemicals has introduced Veritas Quantum PPQ-Grade Nitric Acid, an industry-first product designed for ultra-trace metal analysis at parts-per-quadrillion levels. Manufactured in an ISO-5 clean room, this acid supports high-sensitivity applications in the semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and aerospace industries(Source: www.labmanager.com)

Top players in the Nitric Acid Market & Their Offerings: 

• OCI N.V.: OCI manufactures nitric acid and nitrate derivatives used in fertilizers, explosives, and industrial chemicals. The company has major production facilities in Europe and North America and focuses on integrated nitrogen value chains for efficient nitric acid production. 
• Koch Fertilizer LLC: Koch Fertilizer produces nitric acid as part of its nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing chain. The company distributes nitrate-based fertilizers and chemical intermediates to agricultural and industrial markets globally. 
• Deepak Fertilisers and Petrochemicals Corporation Limited: Deepak Fertilisers manufactures nitric acid and related derivatives used in mining chemicals, fertilizers, and industrial applications. The company is one of the leading nitric acid producers in India with integrated production facilities. 
• Orica Limited: Orica produces nitric acid as a key raw material for ammonium nitrate and explosives used in mining and construction. The company also focuses on improving environmental performance through emission-reduction technologies in nitric acid plants. 
• BASF SE: BASF produces industrial and specialty-grade nitric acid used in chemical synthesis, fertilizers, explosives, and metal processing. The company focuses on advanced catalytic technologies and sustainable production processes to improve efficiency and reduce emissions in nitric acid manufacturing. 
• Yara International ASA
• CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
• Nutrien Ltd.
• LSB Industries, Inc.
• Apache Nitrogen Products Inc.
• Dyno Nobel
• Sasol Limited
• Omnia Holdings Limited
• Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd.
• IXOM
• EuroChem
• Enaex SA

Segments Covered: 

By Application 

• Fertilizers
• Ammonium Nitrate
• Calcium Ammonium Nitrate
• Other Fertilizers
• Nitrobenzene
• Adipic acid
• Toluene diisocyanate (TDI)
• Nitrochlorobenzene
• Other Application

By Regions

• North America
  
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
• Asia Pacific
  
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
• Middle East & Africa
  
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa