Global Biocatalyzed Acrylamide (BioACM) Market, By Application (Water Treatment, Oil & Gas, Paper Making and Others), By Region (Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and South America), Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.05 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.23%
Fastest Growing Segment	Water Treatment
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 6.51 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Biocatalyzed Acrylamide (BioACM) Market will grow from USD 4.05 Billion in 2025 to USD 6.51 Billion by 2031 at a 8.23% CAGR. Biocatalyzed Acrylamide (BioACM) is a high purity chemical monomer produced through the enzymatic hydration of acrylonitrile utilizing a biological catalyst rather than the traditional copper based process. The market is primarily supported by the escalating demand for polyacrylamide in wastewater treatment and enhanced oil recovery where high molecular weight polymers are essential for efficient flocculation and viscosity modification. Furthermore, the industry is driven by the imperative to adopt green chemistry principles as the biocatalytic route significantly reduces energy consumption and eliminates the hazardous waste associated with conventional synthesis. According to European Bioplastics, in 2024, the global bioplastics production capacity reached 2.47 million tonnes, highlighting the accelerating industrial transition toward the sustainable polymer ecosystems that utilize such biobased monomers.

A significant challenge impeding the rapid expansion of the BioACM market is the intense economic competition from established chemical acrylamide production facilities. Many incumbent manufacturers operate fully depreciated copper catalysis plants that maintain low marginal production costs which makes it difficult for new biocatalytic facilities to compete purely on price without regulatory incentives. Additionally, the market remains heavily dependent on the price volatility of acrylonitrile, the primary feedstock, which can unpredictably erode profit margins and deter capital investment in new biobased capacity expansions.

Key Market Drivers

Escalating global demand for polyacrylamide in water and wastewater treatment constitutes a primary catalyst for the biocatalyzed acrylamide market. Municipalities and industrial operators rely heavily on high-molecular-weight polymers for effective sludge dewatering and water clarification processes. The biocatalytic production route yields acrylamide with significantly fewer impurities than copper-based catalysis, enabling the polymerization of ultra-high molecular weight flocculants essential for modern filtration infrastructure. This reliance on advanced chemical treatment is intensifying as utilities face mounting pressure to optimize existing assets rather than building new ones. According to Black & Veatch, May 2024, in the '2024 Water Report', 65 percent of surveyed water utility leaders identified aging infrastructure as their most significant challenge, underscoring the critical need for efficient chemical solutions to extend the operational lifespan and performance of treatment facilities.

A global shift towards environmentally sustainable green chemistry practices further accelerates the adoption of bio-based manufacturing processes. Unlike traditional hydration methods that require high temperatures and generate heavy metal waste, biocatalysis operates under ambient pressure and temperature conditions, offering substantial improvements in process safety and carbon footprint reduction. This alignment with corporate sustainability goals is driving chemical manufacturers to transition away from energy-intensive copper catalysts. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, March 2024, in the 'An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry', the biobased products sector contributed USD 489 billion in value added to the U.S. economy, reflecting the potent economic momentum behind the transition to biological synthesis methods. This sustainability trend supports major polyacrylamide producers who utilize these monomers for large-scale applications. According to SNF Group, in 2024, the company reported a total production capacity of 1.45 million tonnes of polyacrylamide active equivalent, highlighting the immense scale of the downstream market dependent on reliable acrylamide feedstocks.

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Key Market Challenges

The intense economic competition from established chemical acrylamide production facilities serves as a substantial barrier to the growth of the BioACM market. Incumbent manufacturers predominantly utilize fully depreciated copper catalysis plants, allowing them to operate with significantly lower marginal costs compared to the high capital expenditure required for constructing new biocatalytic facilities. This cost disparity makes it difficult for biobased entrants to achieve competitive pricing, particularly in price-sensitive sectors like wastewater treatment where procurement is driven by volume rather than sustainability metrics. The inability to match the aggressive pricing strategies of legacy producers often erodes potential profit margins for new market players.

This challenge is exacerbated by the continued expansion of traditional chemical manufacturing hubs, which reinforces the market dominance of conventional synthesis methods. According to the American Chemistry Council, in late 2024, chemical production in China—a primary global hub for traditional acrylamide synthesis—recorded a year-on-year output increase of 9.7%. Such robust growth in the established chemical sector suggests that legacy producers retain the scale and capacity to absorb feedstock price volatility more effectively than emerging biobased competitors, thereby deterring capital investment in alternative production routes.

Key Market Trends

The integration of renewable bio-based acrylonitrile feedstocks is fundamentally reshaping the Global Biocatalyzed Acrylamide (BioACM) Market by enabling the production of fully sustainable monomers. While the biocatalytic hydration process itself is green, the industry is now moving to decarbonize the entire value chain by replacing fossil-derived propylene with biomass-sourced precursors. This shift allows manufacturers to offer products with a significantly reduced carbon footprint, catering to the stringent scope 3 emission targets of downstream polymer consumers. According to INEOS Nitriles, April 2024, in the 'Launch of Invireo Bio-Based Acrylonitrile' announcement, the company introduced a new product line that delivers a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil-based equivalents, setting a new benchmark for raw material sustainability.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a decisive expansion of manufacturing capacities in emerging Asian economies, driven by the need to localize supply chains near high-growth application sectors. Producers are investing heavily in new facilities within these regions to serve the escalating requirements of the enhanced oil recovery and water treatment industries directly, thereby mitigating logistics costs and supply risks associated with long-haul transportation. This strategic localization ensures that large-scale infrastructure projects have immediate access to essential chemical inputs. According to SNF Group, January 2024, in the 'Oman Expansion Announcement', the company initiated a USD 250 million development plan to expand its production capabilities for enhanced oil recovery solutions, reflecting the critical shift of industrial gravity towards these emerging markets.

Segmental Insights

The Water Treatment segment currently represents the fastest-growing category in the Global Biocatalyzed Acrylamide (BioACM) Market, driven by the critical global need for efficient wastewater management solutions. This expansion is primarily fueled by the rising consumption of Polyacrylamide (PAM), a high-performance flocculant derived from BioACM that facilitates superior sludge dewatering and impurity removal. Market growth is further accelerated by stringent environmental regulations from institutions like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which mandate safer industrial discharge levels. These regulatory pressures are compelling industries to shift toward the higher purity and eco-friendly profile of biocatalyzed acrylamide over traditional copper-based alternatives.

Regional Insights

North America holds a dominant position in the Global Biocatalyzed Acrylamide (BioACM) Market, largely driven by the extensive requirements of the regional oil and gas sector. The widespread implementation of enhanced oil recovery and hydraulic fracturing relies heavily on BioACM-derived polymers to optimize fluid performance. Furthermore, stringent water quality mandates enforced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) necessitate effective wastewater treatment solutions, accelerating the industrial shift toward this greener, enzymatic manufacturing process. These combined factors create a robust environment for BioACM adoption, solidifying North America’s leadership in the global landscape.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, SNF Flopam India committed to a substantial investment of Rs. 800 crore to expand its production capacity for acrylamide monomer and polyacrylamide at its facility in Gujarat. The Chairman and Managing Director of the Indian subsidiary highlighted that this capital expenditure is directed towards meeting the surging market demand for water-soluble polymers in the region. The expansion focuses on increasing the availability of both powder and liquid forms of the polymer, leveraging the company's biocatalytic acrylamide production technology to ensure a consistent and sustainable supply for water treatment and industrial applications across India.
• In March 2025, Kemira announced a multi-million Euro investment to expand its production capacity at the Wellgrow manufacturing site in Thailand. This project was designed to introduce new manufacturing technology that produces high-performance strength agents for the paper and board industry while reducing water usage and increasing material efficiency. The expansion aligns with the company's strategy to capture the fast-growing Asian market and utilizes its expertise in sustainable polymer chemistry. By enhancing its regional capabilities, the company aims to provide cutting-edge, environmentally friendly chemical solutions to its customers in the Asia-Pacific region.
• In June 2024, Mitsui Chemicals announced a strategic expansion of its biochemicals business as part of its Vision 2030 plan, focusing specifically on the global licensing and sales of its proprietary biocatalysts for acrylamide production. The company revealed its intention to accelerate the development of new biocatalysts and to secure a dedicated bio-based production site in India to meet growing demand in the oil and gas sector. This strategic move aims to strengthen its position as a leading provider of green chemical technologies, leveraging its expertise in enzymatic processes to support sustainable manufacturing across the industry.
• In June 2024, SNF Holding Company completed a significant $18 million upgrade at its manufacturing facility in Lara, Australia. The expansion involved the installation of advanced infrastructure to enhance the site’s polyacrylamide production capabilities, which relies on acrylamide as a primary feedstock. The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian subsidiary stated that this investment allows the company to better manage its raw material supply chain and insulate operations from global disruptions. The upgrade enables the production of higher-performing, specialty polymers tailored for the mining, agriculture, and resource sectors, reinforcing the company's vertically integrated bio-acrylamide strategy.

Key Market Players

• BASF SE
• Kemira Oyj
• SNF Group
• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
• Nitto Denko Corporation
• Arkema Group
• Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
• Solvay S.A.
• Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
• Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd.

By Application	By Region
Water Treatment Oil & Gas Paper Making and Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Biocatalyzed Acrylamide (BioACM) Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Biocatalyzed Acrylamide (BioACM) Market, By Application:

• Water Treatment
• Oil & Gas
• Paper Making and Others

• Biocatalyzed Acrylamide (BioACM) Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE