Global Peracetic Acid Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2031)

Global Peracetic Acid Market, Segmentation by Types

The Global Peracetic Acid Market has been segmented by Types into Disinfectant, Sterilant, Sanitizer and Others.

One of the primary segments is disinfectants, where peracetic acid plays a crucial role in effectively eliminating a wide spectrum of pathogens. Its rapid antimicrobial action makes it indispensable in healthcare settings, food processing facilities, and municipal water treatment plants. Peracetic acid-based disinfectants are valued for their ability to maintain hygiene standards and prevent the spread of infections, driving their widespread adoption in critical environments where cleanliness is paramount.

Sterilants represent another significant segment within the market, where peracetic acid's potent oxidative properties make it highly effective for sterilizing medical instruments, pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment, and other high-risk environments requiring complete microbial elimination. The demand for reliable sterilization solutions continues to grow across healthcare and industrial sectors, supporting the market expansion of peracetic acid as a preferred sterilant due to its rapid action and residue-free properties.

Sanitizers, another segment in the peracetic acid market, are essential for maintaining sanitation in food processing facilities, agricultural settings, and public spaces. Peracetic acid-based sanitizers offer effective disinfection against bacteria and viruses while meeting regulatory requirements for food safety and hygiene. Their non-corrosive nature and ability to degrade into harmless by-products make them suitable for various sanitization applications, contributing to their increasing use in ensuring safe and hygienic environments globally.

In addition to these primary segments, peracetic acid finds applications in other specialized areas where its unique properties, such as oxidative strength and biodegradability, provide tailored solutions to specific industrial needs. As industries prioritize sustainable and effective disinfection solutions, peracetic acid's versatility across disinfectants, sterilants, sanitizers, and other applications positions it as a key player in the global market, meeting diverse regulatory and operational requirements across various sectors.

Global Peracetic Acid Market, Segmentation by Grade

The Global Peracetic Acid Market has been segmented by Grade into Less Than 5% Grade, 5%-15% Grade, and Greater Than 15% Grade.

The global peracetic acid market is categorized into three distinct segments based on the grade of the product: Less Than 5% Grade, 5%-15% Grade, and Greater Than 15% Grade. Each grade serves different industrial applications, with varying concentrations impacting the strength and suitability of the acid for specific uses. The Less Than 5% Grade is typically utilized in industries requiring a lower concentration, such as in food and beverage sanitation and water treatment, where moderate disinfecting power is sufficient.

The 5%-15% Grade of peracetic acid is widely used in sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and pulp and paper industries. This grade offers a balanced level of effectiveness in sterilization and disinfection processes while being safe for handling. It is also used in the agriculture industry for crop protection and post-harvest treatment, where higher concentrations are not necessary but effectiveness is still crucial.

The Greater Than 15% Grade of peracetic acid is used primarily in industrial applications that demand high concentrations of this powerful disinfectant. It is commonly found in sectors such as textiles, chemicals, and large-scale sanitation processes, where its strong oxidizing properties make it ideal for removing tough contaminants and ensuring high-level disinfection. This grade requires more careful handling due to its increased potency, but its effectiveness in demanding environments makes it a preferred choice in large-scale industrial operations.

Global Peracetic Acid Market, Segmentation by Applications

The Global Peracetic Acid Market has been segmented by Applications into Healthcare, Water Treatment, Food, Pulp And Paper and Others.

Healthcare stands as a prominent application segment for peracetic acid, owing to its exceptional disinfection properties essential for maintaining stringent hygiene standards in hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities worldwide. Peracetic acid is widely utilized for sterilizing medical equipment, surfaces, and instruments due to its effectiveness against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The increasing focus on infection prevention and control measures within healthcare settings continues to bolster the demand for peracetic acid-based disinfectants.

Water treatment represents another significant application area for peracetic acid, driven by rising concerns over water quality and environmental sustainability. Municipalities, industrial facilities, and agricultural operations rely on peracetic acid for its potent biocidal properties, effective in treating wastewater and disinfecting potable water sources. Its ability to degrade into harmless by-products and comply with stringent regulatory standards makes peracetic acid a preferred choice for ensuring safe and compliant water supplies globally.

The food industry also heavily relies on peracetic acid for its powerful antimicrobial properties and versatility in food processing applications. From disinfecting food contact surfaces to sanitizing processing equipment, peracetic acid plays a crucial role in maintaining food safety and extending shelf life. As food safety regulations become more stringent globally, the demand for effective disinfectants like peracetic acid continues to grow, driven by the industry's commitment to meeting stringent hygiene standards and ensuring consumer safety.

In addition to healthcare, water treatment, and food industries, peracetic acid finds applications in the pulp and paper sector for bleaching and disinfection purposes, among others. The versatility of peracetic acid across these diverse applications underscores its importance and growing market presence as industries worldwide prioritize effective, sustainable, and regulatory-compliant disinfection solutions.

Global Peracetic Acid Market, Segmentation by End Use

The Global Peracetic Acid Market has been segmented by End Use into Healthcare, Food & Beverages, Water Treatment, Pulp & Paper

The global peracetic acid market is segmented by end use, with healthcare being one of the key industries utilizing this chemical. In healthcare, peracetic acid is primarily used for disinfection and sterilization purposes. It is employed in cleaning medical equipment, surfaces, and instruments due to its strong antimicrobial properties. Hospitals, clinics, and surgical centers rely on peracetic acid to ensure high levels of hygiene and infection control, making it a critical component in maintaining sterile environments.

Another significant segment of the peracetic acid market is the food and beverage industry. Peracetic acid is widely used as a disinfectant for food processing and packaging. It helps to eliminate harmful microorganisms, ensuring the safety and quality of food products. In addition to its use in food processing plants, peracetic acid is also used in the production of beverages like fruit juices and soft drinks, where it aids in maintaining hygiene during the bottling and packaging processes.

The water treatment industry also represents a substantial portion of the peracetic acid market. This chemical is used in various water treatment applications, including wastewater treatment, to remove organic contaminants and disinfect water. Peracetic acid is favored in this sector due to its effectiveness in eliminating bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Additionally, the pulp and paper industry utilizes peracetic acid in bleaching processes to achieve high-quality paper products, making it a versatile chemical across multiple sectors with varying end-use requirements.

Drivers:

• Safety regulations compliance
• Demand for eco-friendly disinfectants
• Growth in food processing

• Increasing healthcare facilities- The demand for peracetic acid has seen a notable surge due to the expansion and modernization of healthcare facilities worldwide. Hospitals, clinics, and medical centers are increasingly adopting peracetic acid-based disinfectants and sterilizers to maintain stringent hygiene standards and combat healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Peracetic acid's efficacy in eliminating a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores, makes it indispensable in healthcare settings where cleanliness and infection control are paramount.

  In recent years, the rise in outpatient procedures, surgical interventions, and the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant infections has further propelled the use of peracetic acid. Healthcare facilities prioritize disinfectants that offer rapid and reliable sterilization without leaving harmful residues. Peracetic acid meets these criteria, promoting its widespread adoption in operating rooms, patient rooms, laboratories, and medical equipment sterilization processes. Moreover, advancements in peracetic acid formulations, such as reduced corrosiveness and improved stability, cater specifically to healthcare applications, enhancing its efficacy and safety profile.

Restraints:

• Handling hazards
• Price volatility
• Regulatory complexities

• Competition from substitutes- Despite its efficacy and versatility, the global peracetic acid market faces competition from various substitute products. Chlorine-based disinfectants, hydrogen peroxide, and quaternary ammonium compounds are among the primary alternatives that challenge peracetic acid's market share. Each substitute offers distinct advantages and limitations, influencing their adoption in different industries and applications.

  Chlorine-based disinfectants, for example, are widely used due to their low cost and established efficacy against a range of pathogens. However, concerns about environmental impact, disinfection by-products (DBPs), and corrosiveness limit their application in certain sensitive sectors like food processing and healthcare. Hydrogen peroxide, on the other hand, is valued for its broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties and biodegradability but may require higher concentrations or longer contact times compared to peracetic acid.

  In response to competition, manufacturers of peracetic acid continually innovate to enhance product performance, reduce environmental footprint, and improve cost-effectiveness. Formulation advancements, such as stabilized blends and synergistic combinations with other disinfectants, aim to broaden peracetic acid's applicability and competitiveness across diverse industrial sectors. Moreover, regulatory shifts towards stricter environmental norms and safety standards encourage end-users to explore safer and sustainable disinfection alternatives, thereby influencing market dynamics and competitive strategies in the peracetic acid industry.

Opportunities:

• Expansion in emerging markets
• Technological advancements
• Rising healthcare expenditure

• Water treatment applications- Water treatment represents a pivotal application area for peracetic acid, driven by increasing global concerns over water quality and environmental sustainability. Peracetic acid's oxidative properties make it highly effective in disinfecting and treating water sources contaminated with bacteria, viruses, algae, and organic pollutants. Municipalities, industrial facilities, and agricultural operations rely on peracetic acid as a potent biocide capable of maintaining safe and compliant water supplies.

  In municipal water treatment, peracetic acid serves as a reliable disinfectant during primary and secondary wastewater treatment processes. Its rapid action and ability to degrade into non-toxic by-products align with stringent regulatory standards, promoting its use in disinfection and odor control applications. Similarly, in industrial settings such as food and beverage processing, peracetic acid ensures microbial control in process water, ensuring product quality and compliance with food safety regulations.

  Advancements in peracetic acid formulations tailored for water treatment applications, including stabilized blends and pH-neutral solutions, address specific industry requirements while optimizing disinfection efficacy and operational efficiency. Furthermore, ongoing research and development initiatives focus on exploring novel applications, such as biofilm control and Legionella prevention, expanding the market potential of peracetic acid in niche water treatment segments.