The maleic anhydride industry is witnessing steady expansion driven by growing demand across various end-use sectors such as automotive, agriculture, and coatings. Increasing applications in unsaturated polyester resins and lubricants underscore the dynamic shifts within the market. This blog provides a data-backed market analysis detailing segment performance, consumer behaviour, key players’ strategies, and evolving industry trends shaping the maleic anhydride market size and revenue outlook.

Market Size and Overview

The global maleic anhydride market is estimated to be valued at USD 4.82 Bn in 2025. The market is expected to reach USD 7.16 Bn by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8% from 2025 to 2032.

Maleic Anhydride Market Growth is propelled by accelerating industrialization, expansion in polymeric applications, and growing demand in construction and automotive sectors. Increasing environmental regulations have steered market companies toward sustainable manufacturing, influencing market dynamics reflected in recent trends and market forecasts.

Market Segments
The maleic anhydride market segments primarily on product type, application, and end-user industry. By product type, the anhydrous maleic anhydride dominates, with esterified maleic anhydride growing fastest due to its expanding use in agricultural chemicals. In application, unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) constitute the largest segment, driven by demand from construction and automotive sectors, while lubricant additives are the fastest-growing sub-segment with significant adoption in industrial machinery. Regarding end-users, plastics and coating manufacturers represent the dominant segments, with automotive and agrochemicals leading rapid growth supported by product innovation and regulatory compliance efforts.

Market Drivers
One of the key market drivers in 2024 and 2025 is the rise in demand for sustainable and high-performance materials in automotive and construction sectors. For example, a 2024 report from a leading automotive supplier confirmed that maleic anhydride-derived unsaturated polyester resins improved lightweight vehicle manufacturing, aligning with stricter emission norms. This trend has created substantial market opportunities, pushing manufacturers to invest in greener production processes and novel derivatives, positively impacting overall market growth strategies.

Segment Analysis
Focusing on the application segment, unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) accounted for the highest market revenue in 2024, supported by extensive usage in fiberglass-reinforced plastics. A case study from 2025 highlights a major construction firm that adopted maleic anhydride-based UPR composites, resulting in a 15% increase in material durability and a 10% cost reduction. Conversely, lubricant additives witnessed the fastest growth rate, fueled by increasing industrial machinery maintenance demands and enhanced product formulations demonstrated in 2024 industrial feedback.

Consumer Behaviour Insights
In 2024 and 2025, buyers in the maleic anhydride market have exhibited three notable behavioural trends. Firstly, there’s an increasing preference for customised chemical blends tailored to specific industrial requirements, as reflected by a 2025 industry survey indicating 42% of users requested bespoke formulations. Secondly, digital procurement platforms gained traction, enhancing market efficiency and transparency. Lastly, sustainability considerations ranked high, with over 55% of end users prioritizing green-certified maleic anhydride products, corroborated by rising demand for bio-based derivatives in regional markets.

Key Players
Prominent market companies such as Huntsman Corporation, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., BASF SE, and Mitsubishi have been pivotal in shaping market trends. In 2024 and 2025, these market players undertook significant capacity expansions and introduced advanced maleic anhydride derivatives to cater to emerging applications like high-performance coatings and agrochemicals. For instance, BASF SE’s 2025 launch of a bio-based maleic anhydride product line enhanced their market revenue and broadened their industry scope, reinforcing their leadership in sustainable chemical solutions.

Key Winning Strategies Adopted by Key Players
Distinctive growth strategies evident in 2024-2025 include Huntsman Corporation’s integration of circular economy principles in production, reducing waste by 20% while boosting output, which significantly enhanced their business growth and competitive positioning. Another impactful strategy was Ashland Global Holdings Inc.’s implementation of AI-driven process optimization in 2025, which streamlined manufacturing costs and accelerated product time-to-market by 15%. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi’s strategic region-specific product customisation to address Asia-Pacific market requirements resulted in a notable increase in customer retention and enhanced market trends capture.

FAQs
1. Who are the dominant players in the maleic anhydride market?
Key market players include Huntsman Corporation, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., BASF SE, and Mitsubishi. These companies lead through innovation, capacity expansions, and sustainable product launches.

2. What will be the size of the maleic anhydride market in the coming years?
The maleic anhydride market size is projected to grow from USD 4.82 billion in 2025 to USD 7.16 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 5.8%, driven by rising industrial applications and sustainable product developments.

3. Which end-user industry has the largest growth opportunity?
The construction and automotive industries present the largest growth opportunities, particularly in unsaturated polyester resins and lubricant additives segments.

4. How will market development trends evolve over the next five years?
Market trends indicate a shift toward bio-based maleic anhydride derivatives, increased customisation, and digital procurement practices facilitating enhanced market insights and responsiveness.

5. What is the nature of the competitive landscape and challenges in the maleic anhydride market?
The market landscape remains competitive with emphasis on innovation and sustainability. Challenges include regulatory compliance and raw material price volatility, necessitating advanced growth strategies.

6. What go-to-market strategies are commonly adopted in the maleic anhydride market?
Common strategies include capacity expansions, adoption of green manufacturing, product diversification, and process optimization through AI and digital tools, enhancing market revenue and business growth.

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About Author:

Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemical and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/money-singh-590844163)