Lactic Acid Market Size, Share, Growth Analysis, By Application (Food and beverages, Pharmaceuticals, Personal care products, biodegradable plastics), By Source (Natural, synthetic, and others), By Function (Acidulants, preservatives, flavor enhancer, PH adjuster), By Region - Industry Forecast 2024-2031

Global Lactic Acid Market size was valued at USD 3.49 billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 3.80 billion in 2023 to USD 7.52 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.80% during the forecast period (2024-2031).

Numerous players are vying for a significant market share in the highly competitive lactic acid market. These players are investing heavily in research and development to enhance their production processes and develop new products to meet changing customer requirements. Consolidation is becoming more frequent in the market, with major players acquiring smaller companies and expanding their product portfolios. Partnerships and collaborations are also gaining popularity, enabling firms to leverage each other's knowledge and capabilities to promote innovation and growth. Companies are striving to gain a competitive advantage by focusing on product innovation, optimizing their supply chains, and enhancing their marketing strategies. Additionally, they are implementing sustainable practices in their production processes to align with the growing demand for eco-friendly products. 'Corbion NV', 'BASF SE', 'Galactic SA', 'DowDuPont Inc.', 'NatureWorks LLC', 'Futerro SA', 'Teijin Limited', 'Musashino Chemical Laboratory Ltd.', 'Henan Jindan Lactic Acid Technology Co., Ltd.', 'Weifang Ensign Industry Co., Ltd.', 'Musashino Chemical (China) Co. Ltd.', 'Anhui COFCO Biochemical Co., Ltd.', 'Synbra Technology BV', 'Spectrum Chemical Manufacturing Corp.', 'Danimer Scientific Inc.', 'TCI Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd.', 'Jungbunzlauer Suisse AG', 'Shenzhen Esun Industrial Co., Ltd.', 'Zhengzhou Tianxingjian Chemical Co., Ltd.', 'Yancheng Hongtai Bioengineering Co., Ltd.', 'In August 2022, ADM has entered into a collaboration with LG Chem from Korea to manufacture Lactic Acid and Polylactic Acid at its US facility.'

The increasing awareness of plastic waste and pollution globally has sparked a surge in demand for sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based plastics. This demand has driven the growth of the biodegradable plastics market, where lactic acid has emerged as a viable substitute. As a biodegradable material, lactic acid addresses the concerns surrounding plastic waste and pollution. It degrades naturally, without leaving harmful residues in the environment. This makes it an eco-friendly alternative to petroleum-based plastics, which are non-biodegradable and can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

The lactic acid industry is experiencing a trend toward the development of more efficient and environmentally-friendly production processes. This is driven by the need to reduce production costs and increase production capacity while also reducing the environmental impact of the manufacturing process. These new processes incorporate advances in technology, such as the use of renewable energy sources, improved waste management practices, and more efficient production equipment. By adopting these new production processes, manufacturers are able to streamline their operations and reduce the amount of waste generated during the manufacturing process.

The Asia-Pacific region dominates the global lactic acid market share as it is the largest producer and consumer of lactic acid. This can be attributed to several factors such as the increasing population, higher disposable incomes, and the growing demand for biodegradable plastics, cosmetics, and personal care products. The major countries contributing to the lactic acid market growth in the Asia-Pacific region include China, India, Japan, and South Korea.