The global aniline industry is witnessing steady growth, and the trend will likely continue during the forthcoming period. This is mostly due to increasing usage of aniline across diverse sectors, including automotive, rubber, and pharmaceuticals.
Rising demand for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) is acting as a catalyst triggering aniline sales. Leading aniline manufacturers are employing various strategies to boost their revenues.
In February 2025, JFE Engineering announced acquisition of a 66.6% stake in Sumitomo Chemical Engineering Co. Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. This acquisition will help the company to meet rising demand for chemicals like aniline from diverse industries as well as expand both its customer base and service areas.
In February 2024, Covestro AG opened the world’s first pilot plant for bio-based aniline in Leverkusen, Germany. The new plant is designed to produce aniline entirely from plant biomass instead of petroleum. This marks a significant step in the company’s transition towards sustainable aniline production.
Covestro will utilize industrial biotechnology in its new plant to produce bio-based aniline. In the new process, an industrial sugar extract from plants is converted by a bioengineered microorganism into an intermediate product through fermentation. This intermediate is then chemically catalyzed to produce aniline composed entirely of plant-based carbon.
In November 2023, China Risun Group Limited announced the successful start of operation of the 150,000 tonne/year Phase II aniline plant operated by its subsidiary, Jilin Connell Group. This will help the company to meet growing demand for methylene diphenyl diisocyanate from various industries.
These recent developments showcase the industry’s commitment to innovation and sustainability while catering to rising demand from multiple industries They will help aniline manufacturers to succeed in a highly competitive sector.
JFE Engineering’s acquisition highlights companies’ efforts to enhance their capabilities and market reach. Similarly, Covestro’s pioneering bio-based aniline production plant signals a shift towards more sustainable and eco-friendly production methods.
More and more aniline manufacturers are expected to employ greener aniline production methods to reduce their environmental impact. Development of bio-based aniline products will further increase their adoption in diverse applications, leading to the industry’s growth.
According to Coherent Market Insights (CMI), the global aniline industry is set to reach US$ 11.4 million tons by 2032. Overall demand for aniline will likely grow at 5.6% CAGR during the assessment period.
Sources:
Companies: JFE Engineering, Covestro AG, Risun Group Limited
