Amino acids for synthesis to be $1bn market

Amino acids are key building blocks in the formation of proteins, and the synthesis applications of these chemicals constitute a market that is separate and distinct from nutrition and animal feed. In this market, different amino acids are important and the methods in which they are manufactured tend to be different as well, according to a soon-to-be-released report from Business Communications Company.

The worldwide market for amino acids for synthesis applications is projected to rise at an AAGR (average annual growth rate) of 7 per cent through 2009 from $713 million in 2004 to nearly $1 billion in 2009.

The majority of amino acids produced worldwide are targeted for agriculture and nutritional applications, but while amino acids for synthesis are a small fraction of this market, they are the fastest growing segment, helped by rising demand from the pharmaceutical sector.

Amino acids play an important role in pharmaceuticals, as they are part of the synthesis process in the production of drug intermediates, and in the development and manufacture of protein-based drugs. The demand for drug intermediates and advanced pharmaceutical ingredients is forecast to grow at 6 to 9 per cent on average per year from 2004 to 2009.

Custom manufacturing of amino acids and peptides is one of the fastest growing segments of the fine chemicals market, due to its applications in drug discovery platforms and in the manufacture of enantiomeric drugs.

Within the amino acids for synthesis market, biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications account for just over half of the total, but are rising fastest at an AAGR of 9.8 per cent. Amino acids for the synthesis of artificial sweeteners is poised to grown at an AAGR of 3.8 per cent through 2009 to $427m.

More details on the report, entitled Amino Acids: Highlighting Synthesis Applications​ are available from the BCC website​.