Global lactic acid consumption continues to rise

LACTIC acid consumption around the world continues on its upward trend. A report from MarketResearchReports.biz says global use has been climbing rapidly and steadily since 2008. Market capacity topped out at 800,000 tons in 2013.

 The US remains the largest consumer market worldwide with a 31% share of total lactic acid consumption for the same period. China was the second-largest lactic acid market in 2013, surpassing Western Europe. Rising demand in the food and beverage processing industry combined with an expanding export market contributed to the strong performance of the China sector.

The world’s top three lactic acid manufacturers –PURAC, Cargill and Henan Jindan Lactic Acid Technology Co. Ltd –had a combined capacity of 505,000 tons in 2013. Cargill provides lactic acid products to its subsidiary, NatureWorks, for the manufacture of polylactic acid.