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Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Market

The market for Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid was estimated at $1.3 billion in 2025; it is anticipated to increase to $1.7 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $2.3 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1301008
Author:Vineet Pandey - Business Consultant
Published Date:
Datatree
Chemicals & Materials
Bulk & Commodity Chemicals
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid
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Report Summary
Market Data
Methodology
Table of Contents

Global Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Market Outlook

Revenue, 2025

$1.3B

Forecast, 2035

$2.3B

CAGR, 2026 - 2035

6.3%

The Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) industry revenue is expected to be around $1.3 billion in 2026 and expected to showcase growth with 6.3% CAGR between 2026 and 2035. The Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid (EDTA) market continues its development path by establishing itself as a fundamental EDTA chelating agent which serves essential needs in various strictly controlled industry segments because of increasing worldwide regulations for food safety and pharmaceutical quality and water treatment standards. The three sectors of food & pharma and water treatment combined to create 57.0% of worldwide market demand during 2025 because manufacturers continue to base their purchasing choices on their need for extended shelf life and product stability and heavy metal contamination management. The Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid industry achieved its highest revenue of $0.49 billion during 2025 through Calcium Disodium EDTA sales because customers chose this product for its strong performance and regulatory approval and its ability to maintain safety standards. The global value chain benefits from three main factors which include industrial growth and increasing demand for packaged food and drinks and the development of water treatment facilities for municipalities and industries in new markets.

The strategic importance of EDTA based water treatment chemicals and chelating systems continues to grow because of industrial development and increasing packaged food and beverage sales and water treatment facility construction in developing markets. Its core attributes as a stability enhancer and antioxidant preservative underpin widespread adoption in food and pharma formulations, where it serves as a chelating additive to protect colour, flavour, and potency, while in water treatment it supports metal removal, boiler and cooling system protection, and compliance with discharge norms, and in industrial cleaning agents, personal care, and agriculture it enhances performance of surfactants and active ingredients. The market shows three main trends which include rising customer needs for Calcium Disodium EDTA products with elevated purity levels and minimal impurities and EDTA applications in sophisticated water treatment solutions for recycling systems and active scientific investigations about environmentally friendly chelating agents that influence product creation and regulatory approaches and market competition in the chelating agents sector.

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2025-2035
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid market will expand from $1.3 billion in 2025 to reach $2.3 billion during the period from 2025 to 2035. The market shows a 6.3% annual growth rate because of increasing customer needs in Pharmaceuticals and Water Treatment and Agriculture sectors.

  • BASF SE, Nouryon, and AkzoNobel lead the market through their position as leading competitors who determine the market competition.

  • The Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid market leads with U.S. and Germany as its main customer bases which will experience 4.1% to 6.0% annual growth rates from 2025 to 2030.

  • The research predicts Brazil and South Korea and Mexico will experience the most significant market expansion at rates between 7.2% and 8.7% CAGR.

  • The market value chain of United States and Germany will experience a greater impact from Transition like Shift Toward Sustainable Chelants which will generate $43 million of additional value for the Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid industry throughout 2030.

  • The Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid market will experience a $1.1 billion growth span from 2025 to 2035 while Detergents & Water Treatment Application manufacturer projections indicate they will control a bigger market segment.

  • The Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid market will experience an 84% growth from 2025 to 2035 because pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion and industrial water treatment system complexity increase worldwide and farmers start using chelated micronutrients in their modern and precision agriculture practices.

ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid edta market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid serves as a dependable chelating agent which defends biologic active substances from trace metal degradation in high value injectable and vaccine pharmaceutical formulations. The growing investment from US biopharma contract manufacturers enables the development of specialized calcium disodium EDTA grades which will also surpass other salts in controlled sterile applications. The worldwide market for this salt will expand from 0.49 billion dollars to 0.61 billion dollars during 2030 at a 4.40% annual growth rate. The premium injectable market segment shows limited penetration which creates opportunities for businesses to work with formulators who want to develop more stable products.

Growth Opportunities in Asia-Pacific and North America

The Asia Pacific region uses Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid primarily because of its fast industrial growth and stricter wastewater regulations and increasing production of agrochemicals and detergents which makes EDTA essential for water treatment and agrochemical chelation applications. The main business opportunities in Asia Pacific exist through two strategies which include building facilities to produce affordable industrial grade EDTA and creating customized EDTA chelating agents for specific crops and establishing partnerships with water treatment facilities and textile manufacturing plants to deliver stable chelating agents. The market competition exists because numerous regional manufacturers operate in the region by using their ability to offer affordable products with high purity and dependable delivery to customers. The market receives additional support from environmental agencies which want to replace phosphates with biodegradable chelating agents that they can better control.
The main applications of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid in North America exist in food & pharma sectors and water treatment operations and high spec metal cleaning and cosmetics industry which requires pharmaceutical grade EDTA and advanced chelating systems because of their strict quality and safety requirements; the main business opportunities exist in two region's which involve developing high purity EDTA products for medical injections and oral medications and creating customized blends for personal care products and household cleaning solutions and implementing EDTA chelating agent systems in sophisticated corrosion protection and boiler treatment systems; the market competition stems from a limited number of specialty chemical manufacturers who achieve market differentiation through their ability to meet regulatory requirements and their secure distribution networks and their development of environmentally friendly chelating solutions.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Expansion of Regulated Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Rising Industrial Water Treatment Complexity Across Global Markets

One major driver for ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid demand is also the expansion of regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing, particularly injectables, ophthalmic, and biologics. These formulations require precise trace-metal control to maintain stability, efficacy, and shelf life, making high-purity EDTA essential. Increasing regulatory scrutiny on impurities is also further reinforcing consistent EDTA usage. Parallel to this, growing industrial water treatment complexity is also accelerating adoption. Advanced cooling systems, boilers, and wastewater reuse plants require reliable chelation to manage heavy metals and scaling under variable pH conditions. As industries move toward closed-loop water systems and higher operating efficiencies, EDTA remains a technically proven solution, sustaining demand across healthcare and industrial infrastructure applications.
A key single driver is also the rising adoption of chelated micronutrients in agriculture. EDTA-based chelates improve the stability and bioavailability of iron, zinc, and manganese, particularly in alkaline soils where nutrient lock-up is also common. Growth in precision farming and high-value crop cultivation is also encouraging targeted nutrient delivery, increasing reliance on EDTA formulations. Additionally, fertilizer manufacturers are also upgrading product portfolios toward water-soluble and specialty blends, supporting sustained EDTA consumption in both soil and foliar applications.
02

Restraint: Increasing Environmental Scrutiny Due to Poor Biodegradability Is Constraining Long-Term EDTA Consumption Growth

EDTA’s low biodegradability has become a critical restraint as regulators tighten wastewater discharge and environmental compliance norms. In regions such as Europe, detergent and industrial cleaning formulators are reducing EDTA loadings or shifting to alternative chelants to meet eco-toxicity benchmarks. This transition is dampening volume growth and pressuring prices, particularly in home care and pulp & paper segments. As a result, EDTA demand is increasingly limited to technically essential applications, slowing revenue expansion.
03

Opportunity: Premium skincare and haircare manufacturers in Asia-Pacific adopting Tetrasodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid stabilizers and Rapidly expanding industrial wastewater treatment market in India and Southeast Asia favoring Disodium EDTA

The Asia Pacific consumer market shows preference for premium skincare and haircare products which require products to maintain their appearance and sensory qualities throughout their shelf life thus creating opportunities for Tetrasodium Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid to function as an advanced stability enhancer. The compound functions as a chelating agent which binds metal ions to create a solution that supports the development of sulfate free shampoos and serums and dermocosmetic products. The worldwide market for tetrasodium EDTA will expand from 0.43 billion dollars to 0.65 billion dollars during 2030 with an estimated 8.7% annual growth rate which will benefit Korean and Japanese and Chinese brand sales the most.
The strict discharge regulations for heavy metals and water hardness in India and Southeast Asia drive businesses to use EDTA as a key ingredient in their industrial water treatment chemicals and process cleaning operations. The market shows potential for above average expansion of Disodium EDTA because it possesses powerful complexing properties and works well with current industrial cleaning solutions. The worldwide market for this salt will expand from its current value of 0.35 billion dollars to 0.46 billion dollars during 2030 at a 5.8% annual growth rate. The textile dyeing and electroplating and power generation sectors will lead the market adoption of this salt.
04

Challenge: Rising Substitution by Biodegradable Chelating Agents Is Gradually Altering Demand Patterns Across Key End-Use Industries

The growing availability of biodegradable chelants such as GLDA and MGDA is reshaping buyer preferences, especially in environmentally sensitive markets. Water treatment operators and consumer product manufacturers are selectively replacing EDTA to align with sustainability targets. This substitution trend reduces repeat volumes and shifts procurement toward blended or partial-use formulations, directly impacting standalone EDTA sales. Consequently, manufacturers face margin pressure and must reposition EDTA as a performance-critical rather than default chelation solution.

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Raw Materials

DowSABIC
2

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid

BASF SEShandong Maoming Chemical Co. Ltd
3

Industrial Chelating

NouryonAkzoNobelFushun Shunnun Chemical Co. Ltd
4

End-Use Applications

water treatment chemicalspharmaceutical formulationsagrochemical formulations
Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid in Pharmaceuticals & Water Treatment

Pharmaceuticals : In pharmaceuticals, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid plays a critical role as a chelating and stabilizing agent in injectable drugs, ophthalmic solutions, and topical formulations. By binding trace metal ions, EDTA prevents oxidative degradation, enhances product stability, and extends shelf life, making it essential for high-quality formulations. Its use is strongly supported by stringent regulatory requirements for impurity control and formulation consistency. Leading manufacturers supplying pharmaceutical-grade EDTA include Nouryon, BASF SE, and Lanxess AG, known for high-purity production and regulatory compliance.
Water Treatment : EDTA is widely utilized in water treatment to control scale formation and sequester heavy metals in industrial, municipal, and wastewater systems. Its strong chelation performance across varying pH levels improves process efficiency and protects infrastructure such as boilers and cooling systems. Rising water reuse initiatives and stricter discharge standards continue to sustain demand. Key manufacturers serving this segment include Dow Chemical Company, Kemira Oyj, and Nouryon, offering EDTA grades optimized for large-scale and continuous treatment applications.
Agriculture : In agriculture, EDTA is primarily used to chelate micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and manganese, improving nutrient stability and bioavailability in soils and foliar applications. EDTA-based micronutrient formulations support higher crop yields and efficient fertilizer uptake, particularly in alkaline soils. Growth in intensive farming and precision agriculture practices is reinforcing its adoption. Major manufacturers active in this space include BASF SE, Lanxess AG, and Akzo Nobel Specialty Chemicals (Nouryon), supplying consistent-quality chelating agents for agrochemical formulations.

Recent Developments

The ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid market is shaped by a balanced mix of structural demand drivers and emerging restraints. Key drivers include consistent consumption across pharmaceuticals, water treatment chemicals, and agricultural chelating agents, where EDTA remains critical for metal ion control, formulation stability, and process efficiency. These applications provide predictable revenue streams and support steady future potential, particularly in high-purity EDTA and application-specific grades. Conversely, restraints such as environmental pressure on low-biodegradability chelants and rising adoption of alternative chelating agents are moderating volume growth in consumer-facing segments. From a Porter’s Five Forces perspective, buyer power is increasing as end users evaluate substitutes, supplier power remains moderate due to accessible raw materials, and competitive rivalry is intensifying as manufacturers compete on quality, compliance, and value-added EDTA solutions rather than price alone.

December 2024 : AkzoNobel partnered with Shandong Jianlan Chemical to co-develop and supply EDTA chelates for coatings, textiles, and personal care applications, expanding regional penetration and enhancing sustainability credentials in Asia-Pacific.
June 2024 : BASF completed the acquisition of Fuso Chemical’s EDTA production facility in Japan to secure regional supply and meet growing demand from agrochemical and cosmetic sectors in Asia.
March 2025 : Dow Chemical Company secured a major multi-year supply contract with a leading global detergent manufacturer for EDTA chelates, reinforcing its market position in performance chemicals.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid Market

As a core segment of the Bulk & Commodity Chemicals industry, the Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Shift Toward Sustainable Chelants and Rising Demand for High-Purity Grades have redefined priorities across the Bulk & Commodity Chemicals sector, influencing how the Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Shift Toward Sustainable Chelants

The EDTA market is undergoing a significant transformation driven by heightened environmental concerns and stringent wastewater regulations. Traditional EDTA's poor biodegradability is prompting downstream industries, particularly in water treatment and pulp & paper, to adopt optimized dosing and partial substitution with eco-friendly chelating agents. This shift not only meets discharge standards but also maintains essential functions like scale control and metal ion management. Additionally, home care and industrial cleaning manufacturers are reformulating products to reduce EDTA content, aligning with a broader trend toward sustainable practices. As a result, the transition to sustainable chelants is projected to generate an additional $43 million in value for the EDTA industry in the United States and Germany by 2030, underscoring the strategic imperative for companies to innovate and adapt to evolving market demands.
02

Rising Demand for High-Purity Grades

The market experiences a major change when manufacturers start using high purity EDTA products which are designed for specific applications in pharmaceuticals and food processing and diagnostic industries. The need for pharmaceutical and food grade EDTA with strict quality standards and trace metal control requirements has increased because of the need for products with narrow impurity ranges. The use of high purity EDTA in injectable drugs and ophthalmic solutions extends product stability and shelf life but it maintains color stability and prevents oxidation in food and beverage products without compromising safety. The current market trend requires manufacturers to establish production facilities which use advanced purification systems and follow all necessary regulatory standards.