The global nitric acid market size is expected to reach USD 35.9 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 2.4% from 2023 to 2030, as per the new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth is attributed to the rising demand for fertilizers by the agrarian economies of the world. The surge in the demand for fertilizers is witnessed by the excessive rise in demand for food. Fertilizer is the major application of nitric acid which caters to the maximum share across the global market. Farmers are adopting new technologies to speed up their crop yield to satisfy their excessive need. The product is also consumed in the manufacturing of adipic acid which is an important raw material in the development of Nylon 6, 6. Nylon 6, 6 is used extensively in the manufacturing of plastics and industrial carpets.

Nitric acid is produced by the reaction of nitrogen dioxide with water wherein the diluted nitric acid has distilled concentration of over 68%. There are majorly two types of the production process of the product which include weak nitric acid production and high-strength production. The high strength is produced under high-temperature conditions by first oxidizing ammonia, then is oxidation followed by absorption.

The global product market has become highly competitive due to the presence of big players in the industry. Big companies are constantly innovating the process through their extensive research and development. Also, the use of technology like mono-medium pressure process, mono-high pressure process, and dual pressure process are playing a major part in the making of the product overall.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Nitric Acid Market

Nitric Acid Market Report Highlights

• Nitrobenzene application witnessed the fastest growth rate with a CAGR of nearly 5.0%. This is attributed to the wide utilization of nitrobenzene in the construction industry.

• Fertilizer application captures the major market share globally with nearly 80.53% in 2022. This is attributed to the excessive demand for food. Food consumption is increasing massively due to the rise in global population which is anticipated to trigger the demand for fertilizer even more in the forecast years.

• Europe captures the major market share for the product across the globe due to the major players operating in the region. The demand in Central Europe is starting to take a leap. However, Eastern Europe is showing huge potential for expansion.

• The global product market has become highly competitive due to the involvement of big companies in specialty chemical manufacturing. Big companies are integrating their business across the value chain to obtain maximum profit at the lowest investment.

• The production of chemical fertilizers involves a substantial volume of additives and chemical-based substances which have an adverse effect on the environment. Also, nitric acid is considered a dangerous substance due to its ability to cause skin burn, and eye damage, It is therefore recommended to take precautionary measures.

Browse through Grand View Research's Agrochemicals & Fertilizers Industry Research Reports.

• The global fertilizer catalyst market size was estimated at USD 3.05 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.2% from 2025 to 2030.

• The global biological seed treatment market size was estimated at USD 1.60 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.6% from 2025 to 2030. 

Nitric Acid Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global nitric acid market report based on application and region:

Nitric Acid Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Kilotons, 2018 - 2030)

• Fertilizers

o Ammonium Nitrate

o Calcium Ammonium Nitrate

o Others

• Nitrobenzene

• Adipic Acid

• Toluene Di-isocyanate (TDI)

• Nitrochlorobenzene

Nitric Acid Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; Volume, Kilotons, 2018 - 2030)

• North America

o U.S.

o Canada

o Mexico

• Europe

o Russia

o France

o Poland

o Ukraine

• Asia Pacific

o China

o Uzbekistan

o Kazakhstan

o Thailand

• Central & South America

o Brazil

• Middle East & Africa

o Egypt

Order a free sample PDF of the Nitric Acid Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.