Mar 6, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: U.S. - Acrylic Polymers (In Primary Forms) - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends and Insights.
The United States acrylic polymers market is projected to maintain an upward consumption trend, with market volume and value expected to increase over the next decade. Forecasts predict a CAGR of +0.1% in volume and +1.6% in value from 2024 to 2035, reaching 4M tons and $15.5B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for acrylic polymers (in primary forms) in the United States, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.1% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 4M tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $15.5B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
Consumption
United States's Consumption of Acrylic Polymers (In Primary Forms)
In 2024, consumption of acrylic polymers (in primary forms) in the United States rose slightly to 3.9M tons, picking up by 1.6% compared with the year before. Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a buoyant increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -0.4% against 2022 indices. Over the period under review, consumption hit record highs at 4M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
The value of the acrylic polymer market in the United States rose to $13.1B in 2024, with an increase of 3.1% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption showed resilient growth. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $13.3B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.
Consumption By Type
Acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) (3.8M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of consumption, comprising approx. 97% of total volume. It was followed by polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms (119K tons), with a 3% share of total consumption.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) consumption amounted to +5.8%.
In value terms, acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) ($12.6B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms ($475M).
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) market totaled +6.8%.
Production
United States's Production of Acrylic Polymers (In Primary Forms)
Acrylic polymer production in the United States amounted to 4M tons in 2024, remaining constant against 2023 figures. In general, the total production indicated a temperate increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -0.9% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at 4.1M tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, acrylic polymer production reached $13.6B in 2024. Overall, the total production indicated a noticeable increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, production decreased by -2.6% against 2022 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 27%. Acrylic polymer production peaked at $14B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
Production By Type
Acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) (3.9M tons) constituted the product with the largest volume of production, accounting for 96% of total volume. Moreover, acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms (145K tons), more than tenfold.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the volume of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) production amounted to +3.9%.
In value terms, acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) ($13B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms ($588M).
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) production amounted to +5.1%.
Imports
United States's Imports of Acrylic Polymers (In Primary Forms)
In 2024, the amount of acrylic polymers (in primary forms) imported into the United States rose remarkably to 411K tons, picking up by 11% against 2023 figures. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -10.3% against 2022 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 36%. Imports peaked at 459K tons in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, acrylic polymer imports rose notably to $1.2B in 2024. Overall, total imports indicated a measured expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -18.7% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 23%. Over the period under review, imports reached the peak figure at $1.4B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
Imports By Country
Japan (89K tons), Canada (75K tons) and China (42K tons) were the main suppliers of acrylic polymer imports to the United States, with a combined 50% share of total imports. South Korea, Mexico, Germany, France, the UK, Turkey and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 37%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (with a CAGR of +13.1%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Japan ($239M), Canada ($191M) and Germany ($134M) constituted the largest acrylic polymer suppliers to the United States, with a combined 49% share of total imports. South Korea, Mexico, France, China, the UK, Taiwan (Chinese) and Turkey lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.
In terms of the main suppliers, Taiwan (Chinese), with a CAGR of +11.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Imports By Type
In 2024, acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) (395K tons) was the main type of acrylic polymers (in primary forms) supplied to the United States, with a 96% share of total imports. Moreover, acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) exceeded the figures recorded for the second-largest type, polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms (16K tons), more than tenfold.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) imports totaled +6.2%.
In value terms, acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) ($1.1B) constituted the largest type of acrylic polymers (in primary forms) supplied to the United States, comprising 95% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms ($59M), with a 5.1% share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the value of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) imports totaled +3.9%.
Import Prices By Type
The average acrylic polymer import price stood at $2,804 per ton in 2024, declining by -4.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price recorded a noticeable downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 an increase of 12%. The import price peaked at $3,544 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, import prices failed to regain momentum.
Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major supplied products. In 2024, the product with the highest price was polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms ($3,604 per ton), while the price for acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) amounted to $2,771 per ton.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by polymethyl methacrylate (-0.7%).
Import Prices By Country
The average acrylic polymer import price stood at $2,804 per ton in 2024, waning by -4.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a perceptible setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 12%. The import price peaked at $3,544 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($4,423 per ton), while the price for Turkey ($1,473 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+1.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports
United States's Exports of Acrylic Polymers (In Primary Forms)
In 2024, after two years of decline, there was growth in shipments abroad of acrylic polymers (in primary forms), when their volume increased by 3.1% to 509K tons. In general, exports, however, showed a perceptible slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 39% against the previous year. The exports peaked at 724K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, acrylic polymer exports fell slightly to $1.9B in 2024. Over the period under review, exports, however, recorded a mild shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 24%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at $2.2B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
Exports By Country
Canada (191K tons), Mexico (112K tons) and China (21K tons) were the main destinations of acrylic polymer exports from the United States, together comprising 64% of total exports. Belgium, Brazil, Malaysia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Argentina and Peru lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 14%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by the Dominican Republic (with a CAGR of +15.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest markets for acrylic polymer exported from the United States were Canada ($559M), Mexico ($376M) and China ($136M), with a combined 57% share of total exports. Belgium, Brazil, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Argentina and Peru lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.
The Dominican Republic, with a CAGR of +19.6%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main countries of destination over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Exports By Type
Acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) (466K tons) was the largest type of acrylic polymers (in primary forms) exported from the United States, with a 92% share of total exports. Moreover, acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) exceeded the volume of the second product type, polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms (43K tons), more than tenfold.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of the volume of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) exports stood at -3.7%.
In value terms, acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) ($1.7B) remains the largest type of acrylic polymers (in primary forms) exported from the United States, comprising 93% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms ($132M), with a 7% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the value of acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) exports totaled -1.5%.
Export Prices By Type
The average acrylic polymer export price stood at $3,690 per ton in 2024, reducing by -3.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $3,813 per ton in 2023, and then fell modestly in the following year.
Average prices varied noticeably for the major types of exported product. In 2024, the product with the highest price was acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) ($3,746 per ton), while the average price for exports of polymethyl methacrylate in primary forms amounted to $3,080 per ton.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for the following types: acrylic polymers, in primary forms (excluding polymethyl methacrylate) (+2.2%).
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average acrylic polymer export price amounted to $3,690 per ton, shrinking by -3.2% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.9%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 an increase of 25%. The export price peaked at $3,813 per ton in 2023, and then shrank modestly in the following year.
There were significant differences in the average prices for the major external markets. In 2024, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($7,910 per ton), while the average price for exports to Malaysia ($1,218 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Germany (+7.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.
Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform
