The hydrogen cyanide market size was USD 1.20 Billion in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 1.46 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 2.2% during 2023–2031. The growth of the market is attributed to its huge demand for manufacturing of potassium cyanide and sodium cyanide. Hydrogen cyanide is further used in production of Adiponitrile.
Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a chemical compound also known as prussic acid. It is obtainable in the form of colourless gas or toxic liquid which is extremely poisonous in nature. It is a linear molecule along triple bond between nitrogen and carbon. It is further detected in the smoke of several tobacco products and combustion of nitrogen-containing organic materials.
HCN has several properties and is used in various industrial activities and it is also a valuable precursor to various chemical compounds, which ranges from polymers to pharmaceuticals. It is available in fruits which consist of a pit, such as apricots, cherries, bitter almonds and apples. Hydrogen cyanide is highly toxic in nature and most of it is devoured during and after production. Thus, transportation of r hydrogen cyanide is not possible.
HCN is primarily used to manufacture potassium cyanide and sodium cyanide which is further used in silver and gold mining and electroplating for the same. HCN when added to butadiene aids in the production of adiponitrile which is a precursor to Nylon-6,6. Hydrocyanic acid is used in production of cyanogen chloride, cyanuric chloride, acrylates and methacrylates, acrylonitrile, adiponitrile, cyanide, and ferrocyanide.. It also aids in manufacturing various chelating agents such as NTA and EDTA. HCN is structured in restricted amounts from numerous combinations of carbon, hydrogen and ammonia. At present it is produced in huge quantities through various techniques and process and is further recovered as a waste product from the production of acrylonitrile.
The Covid-19 pandemic had an unpleasant impact on the hydrogen cyanide market. The production has been on halt and both the demand and supply ware affected. The market suffered considerable loss; however, the government’s steps and strategies have helped to neutralised the situation. This pandemic has encouraged the key players to implement advance technologies to overcome these challenges and expand the market growth.
Market Trends, Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities
-
Rising demand of sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide is anticipated to drive the market growth over the forecast period.
-
HCN is used in manufacturing sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide which is further used for mining of gold and silver, these properties of HCN is projected to propel the market growth.
-
HCN is also used in production of adiponitrile, which is the precursor to manufacture nylon 66.
-
The highly toxic nature of hydrogen cyanide, makes it difficult for transportation or storage which is expected to impede the market growth.
-
Hydrogen cyanide is extremely poisonous to human which also act as a restraint for hydrogen cyanide market.
-
R&D investment and technological advancement in hydrogen cyanide sector are expected to offer lucrative opportunities for the market players.
Scope of the Report
The report on the hydrogen cyanide market includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes
|
Details
|
Report Title
|
Hydrogen Cyanide Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast
|
Base Year
|
2022
|
Historic Data
|
2016–2021
|
Forecast Period
|
2023–2031
|
Segmentation
|
Category (Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) Liquid and Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) Gas) Application (Acetone cyanohydrin, Adiponitrile, Sodium cyanide, DL-Methionine and Cyanuric chloride)
|
Regional Scope
|
Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa
|
Report Coverage
|
Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends, and Revenue Forecast
|
Key Players Covered in the Report
|
Invista, Butachimie, Evonik, INEOS, DowDuPont, Adisseo, Cyanco, Cornerstone Chemical, Sterling Chemicals, CSBP, Asahi Kasei, Mitsubishi Chemical, Kuraray, Sumitomo Chemical
|
Market Segment insights
The hydrogen cyanide (HCN) liquid segment is projected to constitute a large market share
Based on category, the hydrogen cyanide market is segregated into hydrogen cyanide (HCN) liquid and hydrogen cyanide (HCN) gas. The hydrogen cyanide (HCN) liquid segment is expected to account for a key share of the market during the forecast period owing to its applications and features which includes production of sodium cyanide and potassium cyanide.
Adiponitrile segment is expected to register a substantial CAGR
Based on application, the hydrogen cyanide market is divided into acetone cyanohydrin, adiponitrile, sodium cyanide, DL-methionine and cyanuric chloride. The adiponitrile segment accounts for a key share of the market and is estimated to propel over the forecast period owing to its applications which includes mining of gold and silver.

Asia pacific is expected to dominate the market
In terms of regions, the market is broadly classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is anticipated to expand at a robust CAGR during the forecast period. The usage of hydrogen cyanide in the production of adiponitrile in the region is the key factor driving the market expansion. In Asia Pacific, China is expected to emerge as the dominant consumer of hydrogen cyanide during the forecast period. However, the market of North America is expected to exhibit a rapid growth rate in the coming years owing to moderate growth in the production of sodium cyanide and adiponitrile in the region.

Segments
The hydrogen cyanide market has been segmented on the basis of:-
Category
- Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) Liquid
- Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) Gas
Applications
- Acetone cyanohydrin
- Adiponitrile
- Sodium cyanide
- DL-Methionine
- Cyanuric chloride
Regions
- Asia Pacific
- North America
- Latin America
- Europe
- Middle East & Africa
Key Companies
- Invista
- Butachimie
- Evonik
- INEOS
- DowDuPont
- Adisseo
- Cyanco
- Cornerstone Chemical
- Sterling Chemicals
- CSBP
- Asahi Kasei
- Mitsubishi Chemical
- Kuraray
- Sumitomo Chemical
Competitive Landscape
Key players competing in the hydrogen cyanide market include Invista, Butachimie, Evonik, INEOS, DowDuPont, Adisseo, Cyanco, Cornerstone Chemical, Sterling Chemicals, CSBP, Asahi Kasei, Mitsubishi Chemical, Kuraray, Sumitomo Chemical.
Some of these players are using several market strategies such as mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, collaborations, capacity expansion, and product launches to enhance their market shares.
