Polyacrylonitrile Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis by Type (Acrylic Staple Fiber, Acrylic Tow and Acrylic Top) By Application (Filtration, Textiles, Precursors To Carbon Fiber, Outdoor and Fiber-reinforced Concrete) Regional Forecast To 2034

•   
•   
  

  Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

    

POLYACRYLONITRILE MARKET OVERVIEW

The global Polyacrylonitrile Market size stood at USD 9.9 billion in 2025, growing further to USD 12.66 billion by 2034 at an estimated CAGR of 2.78% from 2025 to 2034.

The United States Polyacrylonitrile Market size is projected at USD 3.38712 billion in 2025, the Europe Polyacrylonitrile Market size is projected at USD 2.42827 billion in 2025, and the China Polyacrylonitrile Market size is projected at USD 2.80726 billion in 2025.

The polyacrylonitrile market refers to the global market for the polymer polyacrylonitrile (PAN), which is a synthetic resin used in a wide range of applications. Polyacrylonitrile is a thermoplastic polymer that is produced by the polymerization of acrylonitrile. The global polyacrylonitrile market is driven by various factors, including the growing demand for polyacrylonitrile -based carbon fiber composites in the aerospace and automotive industries, as well as in wind energy applications. The high strength-to-weight ratio of polyacrylonitrile -based carbon fiber composites make them ideal for use in lightweight and high-performance materials.

In addition, the increasing demand for water treatment and filtration systems is also driving the growth of the polyacrylonitrile market. Polyacrylonitrile is widely used in the production of membranes for water treatment, as well as in the production of adsorbent materials for air and water purification.

The polyacrylonitrile market is expected to continue to grow in the coming years due to the increasing demand for lightweight and high-performance materials in various industries, as well as the growing need for water treatment and filtration systems. However, fluctuations in raw material prices and environmental concerns related to the production and disposal of polyacrylonitrile may present challenges to the market's growth.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Disrupted Global Supply Chain to Disturb the Market Demands

The global economic slowdown caused by the pandemic has led to a decrease in demand for polyacrylonitrile products. Many industries, including the textile and automotive industries, which are major consumers of polyacrylonitrile, have been negatively affected by the pandemic, resulting in reduced demand for polyacrylonitrile.

Furthermore, the pandemic has disrupted the global supply chain, leading to a shortage of raw materials and transportation issues. This has resulted in higher prices for raw materials and transportation costs, which have affected the profitability of the polyacrylonitrile market.

LATEST TRENDS

Rising Prices and Growing Focus on Sustainability to Augment the Market Growth

One of the major applications of polyacrylonitrile is the production of carbon fiber, which is used in a range of industries including aerospace, automotive, and wind energy. The demand for carbon fiber is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, driving growth in the polyacrylonitrile market. The prices of polyacrylonitrile have been increasing due to a number of factors, including rising raw material costs, supply chain disruptions, and increased demand. This has led to higher prices for end-use products, which may impact demand in some markets. With the increasing concern about climate change, there is a growing focus on sustainability in the polyacrylonitrile market. This has led to the development of more sustainable production processes and the use of recycled materials. Companies in the PAN market is investing in research and development to create new and improved products. This includes the development of new grades of polyacrylonitrile that offer improved performance and cost-effectiveness.

• Sinopec commissioned large-tow carbon fiber/precursor capacity — project slated for 24,000 t/yr precursor and 12,000 t/yr 48K large-tow carbon fiber.

• Toray announced capacity investments to expand carbon-fiber/ tow capacity (examples include plans adding ~8,000 t/yr in Korea and wider global tow expansion initiatives).

•   
•   
  

  Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

    

POLYACRYLONITRILE MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

By type, market is segmented into acrylic staple fiber, acrylic tow and acrylic top. The acrylic staple fibre type segment will dominate the market in the coming years.

By Application Analysis

Based on applications, the market is classified into filtration, textiles, precursors to carbon fiber, outdoor and fiber-reinforced concrete. The filtration textiles segment will lead the global share through 2033.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Demand for Water Treatment to Push the Market

Carbon fiber is a lightweight, strong, and durable material that is widely used in various industries, including aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment. Polyacrylonitrile is a primary raw material for carbon fiber production, and as the demand for carbon fiber increases, the demand for polyacrylonitrile also grows. Polyacrylonitrile is used as a flocculant in water treatment processes to remove suspended solids and impurities from wastewater. The growing demand for clean water and wastewater treatment is driving the demand for polyacrylonitrile in the water treatment industry.

Growth in the Electronics Industry and Government Initiatives to Propel the Market Growth

Polyacrylonitrile is also used in the textile industry to produce synthetic fibers that are soft, comfortable, and durable. The growing demand for comfortable and durable textiles, especially in the clothing and home furnishings sectors, is driving the demand for polyacrylonitrile. Polyacrylonitrile is used in the production of lithium-ion batteries, which are widely used in various electronic devices, including smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. The growing demand for electronic devices is driving the demand for polyacrylonitrile in the electronics industry.

Various governments are implementing initiatives and regulations to promote the use of sustainable materials and reduce carbon emissions. Polyacrylonitrile-based carbon fiber is considered a sustainable material, and the growing emphasis on sustainability is driving the demand for polyacrylonitrile.

• PAN remains dominant as precursor — academic and industry reviews report PAN accounts for ~70–90% (commonly cited ≈90%) of carbon-fiber precursors, underpinning feedstock demand.

• End-use sectors (aerospace / automotive / wind / industrial) together represented roughly 51% of CFRP application focus in DOE carbon-fiber studies, driving precursor demand.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Limited Availability of Raw Materials to Hinder the Market Growth

Polyacrylonitrile is derived from crude oil, and any instability in crude oil prices can significantly impact the prices of polyacrylonitrile. This can lead to lower demand and decreased profit margins for manufacturers. The availability of raw materials, such as acrylonitrile, may be limited due to geopolitical tensions or supply chain disruptions, leading to a shortage of polyacrylonitrile. Polyacrylonitrile production involves the release of hazardous chemicals and by-products, which can pose environmental risks. Stringent regulations and increasing public awareness of environmental issues may impact the demand for polyacrylonitrile.

• High processing energy: DOE bandwidth study flags spinning (36%), oxidation/carbonization (31%) and polymerization (~22%) as major energy burdens — increasing operating cost sensitivity.

• Feedstock & conversion cost: research and industry analyses note PAN contributes roughly ~50% of carbon-fiber production cost, making precursor cost a key constraint.

•   
•   
  Request a Free sample to learn more about this report

    

POLYACRYLONITRILE MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America’s Market to Grow Exponentially with the Forecasted Period

The demand for polyacrylonitrile is expected to increase in North America due to the growing demand from the aerospace and defense industries. The region is home to several major aircraft manufacturers, and polyacrylonitrile is widely used in the production of aircraft parts and components.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Focus on Partnerships to Gain a Competitive Advantage

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead in the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the key strategies used by players to expand their product portfolio.

• AKSA — reports acrylic/PAN production capacity of about ~355,000 t/yr (largest single-site capacity statements).

• Mitsubishi Chemical — reported an MMA/Acrylonitrile site with capacity figures cited at ~105,000 t/yr in coverage of recent plant closures/optimisations.

List of Top Polyacrylonitrile Companies

• AKSA
• Mitsubishi Chemical
• Dralon
• SGL (Fisipe)
• TOYOBO (Exlan)
• Pasupati Acrylon
• Montefibre
• Taekwang
• Zhejiang Hangzhouwan
• Indian Acrylics
• Aditya Birla Group
• Toray
• Jilin Chemical Fiber
• Sinopec
• SDF Group
• Jiangsu Zhongxin Group
• Formosa Plastics Corporation
• CNPC
• Kaltex

REPORT COVERAGE

The market research study examines the worldwide market in detail, focusing on important elements such as leading players, product/services or type, and leading end-use applications. Aside from that, the research analyses major advancements and provides insights into lighting market trends. In addition to the causes indicated above, the paper includes a number of other factors that have contributed to recent growth.