Global Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) Market Size, Share, And Enhanced Productivity By Formulation (Liquid, Powder, Granules, Tablets), By Application (Metal Chelation, Water Treatment, Surface Treatment, Cleaning Products, Others), By End-Use (Agriculture, Textile, Plastics, Paper and Pulp, Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Others), By Region and Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends, and Forecast 2025-2034

Report Overview

The Global Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) Market is expected to be worth around USD 446.2 million by 2034, up from USD 256.3 million in 2024, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2025 to 2034. Industrial usage growth keeps North America leading with 45.90% translating to USD 117.6 Mn.

Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) is a synthetic organic chelating agent widely used to bind metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. It improves process efficiency by softening water, stabilizing formulations, and preventing scale formation in industrial and municipal systems.

The Nitrilotriacetic Acid market represents commercial production and consumption of this chelant across water treatment, detergents, agriculture, and industrial cleaning. Demand is closely linked to infrastructure spending, regulatory pressure on water quality, and the need for efficient metal control in process industries worldwide.

Growth of the market is driven by rising investment in water and wastewater treatment infrastructure. Recent funding highlights include $50 million invested in Membrane Group, €130 million secured by Iraq for sanitation projects, and £42 million allocated to regulated water treatment initiatives, expanding chelant consumption.

Demand is strengthening as utilities tackle contamination and system efficiency challenges. Government-backed support, such as $131 million in federal deals to upgrade PFAS-affected plants and $78 million for water quality improvements in New York, directly supports higher use of chelating chemicals in treatment processes.

Future opportunities lie in smarter water management and loss prevention. Innovations supported by funding, like the €2.3 million raised by HULO for AI-based leak detection, highlight the growing integration of digital tools with chemical solutions, positioning Nitrilotriacetic Acid as a supporting input in modern, efficient water systems.

Key Takeaways

• The Global Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) Market is expected to be worth around USD 446.2 million by 2034, up from USD 256.3 million in 2024, and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.7% from 2025 to 2034.
• In the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) market, liquid formulations hold 37.8%, supported by easy handling in water treatment systems.
• Metal chelation leads the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) market with 44.6%, driven by demand for efficient ion control processes.
• Agriculture accounts for 23.9% of the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) market, supporting micronutrient availability in soils.
• Strong water treatment demand positions North America at 45.90% reaching USD 117.6 Mn.

By Formulation Analysis

The liquid formulation holds 37.8% and is used widely for ease in dosing and dispersion.

In 2024, Liquid held a dominant market position in the By Formulation segment of the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) Market, with a 37.8% share. This dominance reflects the strong preference for liquid formulations in applications where precise dosing, faster solubility, and ease of handling are essential.

Liquid nitrilotriacetic acid integrates smoothly into water treatment systems and continuous industrial processes, reducing preparation time and operational complexity. Its compatibility with automated dosing equipment further strengthens adoption across large-scale facilities. In manufacturing and municipal use, liquid forms support consistent chelation performance while minimizing residue risks.

Additionally, liquids simplify transportation and on-site storage for end users seeking operational flexibility. These practical advantages continued to position liquid formulations as the preferred choice across downstream applications during the year, supporting stable consumption patterns and reinforcing its leading share within the formulation segment.

By Application Analysis

Metal chelation dominates with 44.6%, driven by demand for controlled metal binding.

In 2024, Metal Chelation held a dominant market position in the By Application segment of the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) Market, with a 44.6% share. This leading position reflects the central role of nitrilotriacetic acid in binding and stabilizing metal ions across industrial and environmental processes.

Its strong chelation efficiency supports consistent performance in systems where control of hardness, scaling, and metal interference is critical. The application benefits from the compound’s ability to maintain solution stability and enhance process reliability under varying operating conditions.

End users value its predictable behavior and adaptability across treatment stages, which helps improve overall system efficiency. As a result, metal chelation continued to represent the primary consumption pathway, reinforcing its dominant share within the application segment during the year.

By End-Use Analysis

Agriculture accounts for 23.9%, supporting micronutrient availability in soils and crops.

In 2024, Agriculture held a dominant market position in the end-use segment of the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) Market, with a 23.9% share. This dominance is linked to the effective role of nitrilotriacetic acid in improving nutrient availability and soil treatment efficiency.

Its chelating function supports stable micronutrient delivery by preventing metal ions from becoming inactive in agricultural systems. The segment benefits from consistent performance in formulations used across crop management practices, where controlled nutrient uptake is essential.

Adoption is further supported by the need for reliable input materials that enhance productivity without complicating application processes. These factors collectively reinforced agriculture’s leading position, allowing it to remain the largest end-use contributor within the market during the year.

Key Market Segments

By Formulation

• Liquid
• Powder
• Granules
• Tablets

By Application

• Metal Chelation
• Water Treatment
• Surface Treatment
• Cleaning Products
• Others

By End-Use

• Agriculture
• Textile
• Plastics
• Paper and Pulp
• Personal Care
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

Driving Factors

Growing Focus on Efficient Industrial Water Treatment

A key driving factor for the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) market is the rising need for efficient industrial and municipal water treatment. Industries and utilities increasingly focus on controlling metal ions to improve water quality, reduce scaling, and maintain smooth system operations.

Nitrilotriacetic acid plays an important role by binding unwanted metals, which helps protect pipelines, membranes, and treatment equipment. This demand is further strengthened by investments supporting sustainable water management. A notable example is a £2 million funding award from Ofwat for a sustainable water recycling project, highlighting strong institutional backing for improved treatment solutions.

Such initiatives encourage the use of effective chelating agents that support recycling, reuse, and long-term water efficiency, directly driving steady demand for nitrilotriacetic acid across water-focused applications.

Restraining Factors

Environmental Compliance And Handling Safety Concerns

One major restraining factor for the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) market is growing environmental and handling safety concerns. As a strong chelating agent, its release into natural water systems requires careful control to avoid unintended environmental effects. This increases compliance costs for manufacturers and end users, especially in regions with strict wastewater rules.

Facilities often need additional treatment steps and monitoring, which can slow adoption. Even with public support for environmental projects, such as the $5.8 million in additional ARPA grants announced by DANR for statewide infrastructure and resource programs, regulatory scrutiny remains high. These conditions push users to weigh compliance burdens against performance benefits, creating caution in procurement decisions and limiting faster market expansion despite ongoing investments.

Growth Opportunity

Rising Investment In Modern Wastewater Treatment Systems

A strong growth opportunity for the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) market lies in the modernization of wastewater treatment plants. Upgraded facilities require effective solutions to manage metal ions, scaling, and water quality consistency across treatment stages.

Nitrilotriacetic acid supports these needs by improving treatment efficiency and protecting equipment performance. Public investment is encouraging this shift, as seen in the $1 million federal grant awarded for upgrading the Solvang Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Such upgrades typically involve advanced filtration, reuse, and recycling processes, where reliable chelating agents are essential. As more municipalities move toward modern, resilient treatment infrastructure, demand for nitrilotriacetic acid is expected to grow steadily, creating long-term opportunities linked directly to infrastructure renewal.

Latest Trends

Community Driven Demand For Reliable Clean Water

A key latest trend in the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) market is the growing demand for safe and reliable clean water, driven by community pressure. Public awareness around water quality has increased, especially in smaller towns and regional areas facing supply challenges.

Political and community actions, such as the NSW Nationals demanding clean water solutions for 5,000 residents, reflect stronger expectations for effective water treatment performance. This trend pushes utilities to adopt proven chemical solutions that can manage metal contamination and improve overall water stability.

Nitrilotriacetic acid supports these goals by enhancing treatment efficiency and system reliability. As public scrutiny rises, water operators increasingly prioritize dependable treatment inputs, reinforcing this trend across municipal and regional water systems.

Regional Analysis

North America dominates the Nitrilotriacetic Acid market with a 45.90% share at USD 117.6 Mn.

North America emerged as the dominating region in the Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) Market, accounting for 45.90% share and valued at USD 117.6 Mn. This leadership reflects the region’s mature industrial base and structured use of chelating agents across regulated applications. Strong alignment between industrial processing needs and water quality management continues to support stable consumption patterns, reinforcing North America’s leading regional position.

Europe represents a steady and regulation-driven market, where adoption is shaped by structured environmental controls and long-established chemical processing practices. The region emphasizes consistency and compliance in industrial formulations, supporting ongoing use of nitrilotriacetic acid in controlled applications without rapid swings in demand.

Asia Pacific shows gradual market expansion, supported by industrial activity and infrastructure development across emerging economies. Usage remains closely linked to increasing industrial output and gradual alignment with standardized chemical practices, creating a stable yet evolving regional demand landscape.

The Middle East & Africa market remains comparatively limited but developing, driven by gradual improvements in industrial utility services and process water management. Adoption is focused on targeted applications rather than broad-based volume growth.

Latin America demonstrates moderate uptake, supported by industrial modernization trends. Demand growth remains incremental, shaped by practical application needs rather than aggressive expansion strategies.

Key Regions and Countries

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Australia
  • Rest of APAC
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA

Key Players Analysis

Ava Chemicals Private Limited maintained a focused presence in the global Nitrilotriacetic Acid (CAS 139-13-9) market during 2024 by emphasizing product consistency and controlled manufacturing practices. The company’s strength lies in its ability to meet application-specific requirements where reliability and formulation stability are critical. By aligning production with practical end-use needs, Ava Chemicals continues to support steady demand without overextending into aggressive volume strategies.

Triveni Chemicals demonstrated a value-driven approach in 2024, positioning itself as a dependable supplier for customers seeking cost-effective yet technically sound nitrilotriacetic acid solutions. Its operations reflect an emphasis on operational efficiency and long-term customer relationships. This approach supports repeat demand across applications where predictable performance and supply continuity matter more than rapid innovation cycles, allowing the company to maintain relevance in competitive environments.

IRO Group approached the 2024 market with a structured and process-oriented strategy, focusing on maintaining quality benchmarks and application reliability. The company’s positioning favors disciplined manufacturing and adherence to established specifications, which appeals to customers requiring consistent chelation performance.

Top Key Players in the Market

• Ava Chemicals Private Limited
• Triveni Chemicals
• IRO Group
• Brandt Chemical
• Zhonglan Industry
• Humica Weihai International
• Remedy Labs

Recent Developments

• In August 2024, BRANDT restructured its Specialty Formulations sales group and created a new global supply-chain function to streamline its operations and improve product delivery worldwide.
• In May 2024, Zhonglan Industry Co., Ltd. announced a business transfer to GetChem Co., Ltd., moving its core export operations to Shanghai. The company, active in specialty and fine chemicals, aims to use this new base to offer faster service, better logistics, and closer support for global buyers.

Report Scope