Brief Introduction to Adipic Acid & Latest Industry Trends in 2026

Basic information: Also known as fatty acid, it is white crystalline powder with weak acidity. It is an essential basic chemical raw material with low toxicity and stable properties.Main production: It is dominantly produced by oxidizing raw materials including pure benzene and cyclohexane. China boasts the world’s largest production capacity.Major applications80% consumed in nylon 66: automotive parts, engineering plastics, tire cord fabrics and industrial fibers, the largest downstream demand sector.Secondary applications in polyurethane and plasticizers: shoe materials, adhesives, flexible PVC products, coatings, etc.Minor applications: food acidity regulators, pharmaceutical intermediates, daily chemical additives.

In May 2026, the EU issued the final anti-dumping ruling on Chinese adipic acid, imposing anti-dumping duties up to 42.3%;Background: Chinese adipic acid accounts for over 80% of the EU’s total import volume of this product;Impacts: Chinese manufacturers face drastically higher costs for direct exports to the EU, which forces them to optimize export structure, divert orders to emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Latin America, and some enterprises adjust their overseas deployment schedules accordingly.