Published December 2021
Lactic acid is widely used as an acidulant, flavor enhancer, and shelf-life extender in foods and beverages; its sodium and potassium salts have preservative and antimicrobial properties. Lactic acid also serves as the starting material for ethyl lactate, an environmentally friendly solvent, and polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polymer.
World consumption of lactic acid will increase dramatically during 2021–26, driven by the rapid expansion of PLA production in mainland China, Thailand, France, and the United States. In 2021, North America was the largest consumer of lactic acid, and PLA production accounted for slightly less than half of world lactic acid consumption. By 2026, Northeast Asia will be the largest consuming region, and PLA production will dominate world lactic acid consumption. In mainland China, consumption of lactic acid for PLA production will rise sharply during 2021–26 because of the government’s strict ban on single-use plastic products, which took effect 1 January 2021.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of lactic acid, including consumption of lactic acid as such as well as its use in the production of derivatives (salts, esters, PLA, etc.):
North America was the largest consumer of lactic acid in 2021. PLA production was the major end use for lactic acid; food and beverage applications were second in importance. In Northeast Asia—mainland China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan—food and beverage applications drove demand although PLA production made up a substantial share of lactic acid consumption.
Worldwide lactic acid consumption is forecast to increase at double-digit rates from 2021 to 2026. Robust demand growth is expected in Northeast Asia (especially mainland China), Southeast Asia and Oceania (especially Thailand), and Western Europe as a result of increased PLA production. In other regions, more moderate consumption growth is expected.
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
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