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Mercaptoacetic Acid
Mercaptoacetic Acid, also known as thioglycolic acid (TGA) is a clear, combustible liquid which oxidizes in air to form disulfides and an unpleasant odor. Mercaptoacetic acid consists of thiol or mercaptan and carboxylic acid. Mercaptoacetic Acid was first developed in the early 1940s by Dr. Ralph Evans in Hoboken, New Jersey, as an active material for cold wave permanents. Mercaptoacetic acid or thioglycolic acid is primarily used in hair care products for straightening or waving hair and as depilatory (hair removal) chemical. Mercaptoacetic acid is also used as a chemical intermediate for mercaptan chemicals such as ammonium thioglycolate, sodium thioglycolate and calcium thioglycolate. Furthermore, mercaptoacetic acid is used for preparing thioglycolic broth as a media for microbiological cultures. Additionally, with emergence, awareness and popularity of fashion trends people are experimenting and using more hair care products such as hair removal chemicals, hair straightening and hair waving products. Mercaptoacetic acid is widely used for body hair removal by salons, beauty parlors, hospitals (for surgery) and households among others.
Product & engineering
Understand the product.
Mercaptoacetic Acid, also known as thioglycolic acid (TGA) is a clear, combustible liquid which oxidizes in air to form disulfides and an unpleasant odor. Mercaptoacetic acid consists of thiol or mercaptan and carboxylic acid. Mercaptoacetic Acid was first developed in the early 1940s by Dr. Ralph Evans in Hoboken, New Jersey, as an active material for cold wave permanents. Mercaptoacetic acid or thioglycolic acid is primarily used in hair care products for straightening or waving hair and as depilatory (hair removal) chemical. Mercaptoacetic acid is also used as a chemical intermediate for mercaptan chemicals such as ammonium thioglycolate, sodium thioglycolate and calcium thioglycolate. Furthermore, mercaptoacetic acid is used for preparing thioglycolic broth as a media for microbiological cultures. Additionally, with emergence, awareness and popularity of fashion trends people are experimenting and using more hair care products such as hair removal chemicals, hair straightening and hair waving products. Mercaptoacetic acid is widely used for body hair removal by salons, beauty parlors, hospitals (for surgery) and households among others.
Selected research
Industry Research
Mercaptoacetic Acid Industry Research Report 2026
Market perspective
Mercaptoacetic Acid, also known as thioglycolic acid (TGA) is a clear, combustible liquid which oxidizes in air to form disulfides and an unpleasant odor. Mercaptoacetic acid consists of thiol or mercaptan and carboxylic acid. Mercaptoacetic Acid was first developed in the early 1940s by Dr. Ralph Evans in Hoboken, New Jersey, as an active material for cold wave permanents. Mercaptoacetic acid or thioglycolic acid is primarily used in hair care products for straightening or waving hair and as depilatory (hair removal) chemical. Mercaptoacetic acid is also used as a chemical intermediate for mercaptan chemicals such as ammonium thioglycolate, sodium thioglycolate and calcium thioglycolate. Furthermore, mercaptoacetic acid is used for preparing thioglycolic broth as a media for microbiological cultures. Additionally, with emergence, awareness and popularity of fashion trends people are experimenting and using more hair care products such as hair removal chemicals, hair straightening and hair waving products. Mercaptoacetic acid is widely used for body hair removal by salons, beauty parlors, hospitals (for surgery) and households among others.
Global Mercaptoacetic Acid key players include Arkema, Bruno Bock, Merck, Sasaki Chemical, Ever Flourish Chemical, etc. Global top five manufacturers hold a share about 80%. Europe is the largest market, with a share about 35%, followed by North America, with a share about 30 percent. In terms of product, High Purity Grade (≥99%) is the largest segment, with a share about 65%. And in terms of application, the largest application is Hair Careand & Cosmetic Product, followed by Chemical Intermediate, Pharmaceuticals, etc.
Report Scope
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This report quantifies the global Mercaptoacetic Acid market in revenue (US$ million) and, where applicable, sales volume (MT), using 2025 as the base year and providing annual historical and forecast data for 2021–2032.
It standardizes definitions of types and applications, harmonizes vendor attribution, and presents comparable time series by company, type, application, and region/country, including indicative price bands (US$/MT) and concentration ratios (CR5/CR10).
The outputs are intended to support strategy development, budgeting, and performance benchmarking for manufacturers, new entrants, channel partners, and investors; the report also reviews technology shifts and notable product introductions relevant to Mercaptoacetic Acid.
Key Companies & Market Share Insights
This section profiles leading manufacturers, combining 2021–2025 results with a 2026–2032 outlook. It reports revenue, market share, price bands, product and application mix, regional and channel mix, and key developments (M&A, capacity additions, certifications). It also provides global revenue, average price, and—where applicable—sales volume by manufacturer, and calculates CR5/CR10 and rank changes to support comparative benchmarking.
Mercaptoacetic Acid Market by Company
Arkema
Bruno Bock
Merck
Sasaki Chemical
Daicel
Ever Flourish Chemical
Swan Chemical
Ruchang Mining
QingDao Lnt
HiMedia Laboratories
Mercaptoacetic Acid Segment by Type
High Purity Grade ( Above 99%)
Technical Grade ( 80%-99%)
Low Purity Grade ( Below 80%)
Mercaptoacetic Acid Segment by Application
Hair Careand & Cosmetic Product
Chemical Intermediate
Pharmaceuticals
Others
Mercaptoacetic Acid Segment by Region
North America
United States
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
France
U.K.
Italy
Russia
Spain
Netherlands
Switzerland
Sweden
Poland
Asia-Pacific
China
Japan
South Korea
India
Australia
Taiwan
Southeast Asia
South America
Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Colombia
Middle East & Africa
Egypt
South Africa
Israel
Türkiye
GCC Countries
Key Drivers & Barriers
High-impact rendering factors and drivers have been studied in this report to aid the readers to understand the general development. Moreover, the report includes restraints and challenges that may act as stumbling blocks on the way of the players. This will assist the users to be attentive and make informed decisions related to business. Specialists have also laid their focus on the upcoming business prospects.
Reasons to Buy This Report
1. This report will help the readers to understand the competition within the industries and strategies for the competitive environment to enhance the potential profit. The report also focuses on the competitive landscape of the global Mercaptoacetic Acid market, and introduces in detail the market share, industry ranking, competitor ecosystem, market performance, new product development, operation situation, expansion, and acquisition. etc. of the main players, which helps the readers to identify the main competitors and deeply understand the competition pattern of the market.
2. This report will help stakeholders to understand the global industry status and trends of Mercaptoacetic Acid and provides them with information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.
3. This report will help stakeholders to understand competitors better and gain more insights to strengthen their position in their businesses. The competitive landscape section includes the market share and rank (in volume and value), competitor ecosystem, new product development, expansion, and acquisition.
4. This report stays updated with novel technology integration, features, and the latest developments in the market
5. This report helps stakeholders to gain insights into which regions to target globally
6. This report helps stakeholders to gain insights into the end-user perception concerning the adoption of Mercaptoacetic Acid.
7. This report helps stakeholders to identify some of the key players in the market and understand their valuable contribution.
Chapter Outline
Chapter 1: Research objectives, research methods, data sources, data cross-validation;
Chapter 2: Introduces the report scope of the report, executive summary of different market segments (by region, product type, application, etc), including the market size of each market segment, future development potential, and so on. It offers a high-level view of the current state of the market and its likely evolution in the short to mid-term, and long term.
Chapter 3: Detailed analysis of Mercaptoacetic Acid manufacturers competitive landscape, price, production and value market share, latest development plan, merger, and acquisition information, etc.
Chapter 4: Provides profiles of key players, introducing the basic situation of the main companies in the market in detail, including product production/output, value, price, gross margin, product introduction, recent development, etc.
Chapter 5: Production/output, value of Mercaptoacetic Acid by region/country. It provides a quantitative analysis of the market size and development potential of each region in the next six years.
Chapter 6: Consumption of Mercaptoacetic Acid in regional level and country level. It provides a quantitative analysis of the market size and development potential of each region and its main countries and introduces the market development, future development prospects, market space, and production of each country in the world.
Chapter 7: Provides the analysis of various market segments by type, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different market segments.
Chapter 8: Provides the analysis of various market segments by application, covering the market size and development potential of each market segment, to help readers find the blue ocean market in different downstream markets.
Chapter 9: Analysis of industrial chain, including the upstream and downstream of the industry.
Chapter 10: Introduces the market dynamics, latest developments of the market, the driving factors and restrictive factors of the market, the challenges and risks faced by manufacturers in the industry, and the analysis of relevant policies in the industry.
Chapter 11: The main points and conclusions of the report.
More report detail
Tables and figures
Scope & coverage.
Types
- High Purity Grade ( Above 99%)
- Technical Grade ( 80%-99%)
- Low Purity Grade ( Below 80%)
Applications
- Hair Careand & Cosmetic Product
- Chemical Intermediate
- Pharmaceuticals
- Others
Companies covered
- Arkema
- Bruno Bock
- Merck
- Sasaki Chemical
- Daicel
- Ever Flourish Chemical
- Swan Chemical
- Ruchang Mining
- QingDao Lnt
- HiMedia Laboratories
Inside the report.
1 Preface
- 1.1 Scope of Report
- 1.2 Reasons for Doing This Study
- 1.3 Research Methodology
- 1.4 Research Process
- 1.5 Data Source
- 1.5.1 Secondary Sources
- 1.5.2 Primary Sources
2 Market Overview
- 2.1 Product Definition
- 2.2 Mercaptoacetic Acid by Type
- 2.2.1 Market Value Comparison by Type (2021 VS 2025 VS 2032) & (US$ Million)
- 2.2.2 High Purity Grade ( Above 99%)
- 2.2.3 Technical Grade ( 80%-99%)
- 2.2.4 Low Purity Grade ( Below 80%)
- 2.3 Mercaptoacetic Acid by Application
- 2.3.1 Market Value Comparison by Application (2021 VS 2025 VS 2032) & (US$ Million)
- 2.3.2 Hair Careand & Cosmetic Product
- 2.3.3 Chemical Intermediate
- 2.3.4 Pharmaceuticals
- 2.3.5 Others
- 2.4 Global Market Growth Prospects
- 2.4.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value Estimates and Forecasts (2021-2032)
- 2.4.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity Estimates and Forecasts (2021-2032)
- 2.4.3 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Estimates and Forecasts (2021-2032)
- 2.4.4 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Market Average Price (2021-2032)
3 Market Competitive Landscape by Manufacturers
- 3.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production by Manufacturers (2021-2026)
- 3.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value by Manufacturers (2021-2026)
- 3.3 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Average Price by Manufacturers (2021-2026)
- 3.4 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Industry Manufacturers Ranking, 2024 VS 2025 VS 2026
- 3.5 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Key Manufacturers, Manufacturing Sites & Headquarters
- 3.6 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Manufacturers, Product Type & Application
- 3.7 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Manufacturers Established Date
- 3.8 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Market CR5 and HHI
- 3.9 Global Manufacturers Mergers & Acquisition
4 Manufacturers Profiled
- 4.1 Arkema
- 4.1.1 Arkema Mercaptoacetic Acid Company Information
- 4.1.2 Arkema Mercaptoacetic Acid Business Overview
- 4.1.3 Arkema Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity, Value and Gross Margin (2021-2026)
- 4.1.4 Arkema Product Portfolio
- 4.1.5 Arkema Recent Developments
- 4.2 Bruno Bock
- 4.2.1 Bruno Bock Mercaptoacetic Acid Company Information
- 4.2.2 Bruno Bock Mercaptoacetic Acid Business Overview
- 4.2.3 Bruno Bock Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity, Value and Gross Margin (2021-2026)
- 4.2.4 Bruno Bock Product Portfolio
- 4.2.5 Bruno Bock Recent Developments
- 4.3 Merck
- 4.3.1 Merck Mercaptoacetic Acid Company Information
- 4.3.2 Merck Mercaptoacetic Acid Business Overview
- 4.3.3 Merck Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity, Value and Gross Margin (2021-2026)
- 4.3.4 Merck Product Portfolio
- 4.3.5 Merck Recent Developments
- 4.4 Sasaki Chemical
- 4.4.1 Sasaki Chemical Mercaptoacetic Acid Company Information
- 4.4.2 Sasaki Chemical Mercaptoacetic Acid Business Overview
- 4.4.3 Sasaki Chemical Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity, Value and Gross Margin (2021-2026)
- 4.4.4 Sasaki Chemical Product Portfolio
- 4.4.5 Sasaki Chemical Recent Developments
- 4.5 Daicel
- 4.5.1 Daicel Mercaptoacetic Acid Company Information
- 4.5.2 Daicel Mercaptoacetic Acid Business Overview
- 4.5.3 Daicel Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity, Value and Gross Margin (2021-2026)
- 4.5.4 Daicel Product Portfolio
- 4.5.5 Daicel Recent Developments
- 4.6 Ever Flourish Chemical
- 4.6.1 Ever Flourish Chemical Mercaptoacetic Acid Company Information
- 4.6.2 Ever Flourish Chemical Mercaptoacetic Acid Business Overview
- 4.6.3 Ever Flourish Chemical Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity, Value and Gross Margin (2021-2026)
- 4.6.4 Ever Flourish Chemical Product Portfolio
- 4.6.5 Ever Flourish Chemical Recent Developments
- 4.7 Swan Chemical
- 4.7.1 Swan Chemical Mercaptoacetic Acid Company Information
- 4.7.2 Swan Chemical Mercaptoacetic Acid Business Overview
- 4.7.3 Swan Chemical Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity, Value and Gross Margin (2021-2026)
- 4.7.4 Swan Chemical Product Portfolio
- 4.7.5 Swan Chemical Recent Developments
- 4.8 Ruchang Mining
- 4.8.1 Ruchang Mining Mercaptoacetic Acid Company Information
- 4.8.2 Ruchang Mining Mercaptoacetic Acid Business Overview
- 4.8.3 Ruchang Mining Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity, Value and Gross Margin (2021-2026)
- 4.8.4 Ruchang Mining Product Portfolio
- 4.8.5 Ruchang Mining Recent Developments
- 4.9 QingDao Lnt
- 4.9.1 QingDao Lnt Mercaptoacetic Acid Company Information
- 4.9.2 QingDao Lnt Mercaptoacetic Acid Business Overview
- 4.9.3 QingDao Lnt Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity, Value and Gross Margin (2021-2026)
- 4.9.4 QingDao Lnt Product Portfolio
- 4.9.5 QingDao Lnt Recent Developments
- 4.10 HiMedia Laboratories
- 4.10.1 HiMedia Laboratories Mercaptoacetic Acid Company Information
- 4.10.2 HiMedia Laboratories Mercaptoacetic Acid Business Overview
- 4.10.3 HiMedia Laboratories Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Capacity, Value and Gross Margin (2021-2026)
- 4.10.4 HiMedia Laboratories Product Portfolio
- 4.10.5 HiMedia Laboratories Recent Developments
5 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production by Region
- 5.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Estimates and Forecasts by Region: 2021 VS 2025 VS 2032
- 5.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production by Region: 2021-2032
- 5.2.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production by Region: 2021-2026
- 5.2.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Forecast by Region (2027-2032)
- 5.3 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value Estimates and Forecasts by Region: 2021 VS 2025 VS 2032
- 5.4 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value by Region: 2021-2032
- 5.4.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value by Region: 2021-2026
- 5.4.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value Forecast by Region (2027-2032)
- 5.5 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Market Price Analysis by Region (2021-2026)
- 5.6 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production and Value, YOY Growth
- 5.6.1 North America Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value Estimates and Forecasts (2021-2032)
- 5.6.2 Europe Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value Estimates and Forecasts (2021-2032)
- 5.6.3 China Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value Estimates and Forecasts (2021-2032)
- 5.6.4 Japan Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value Estimates and Forecasts (2021-2032)
6 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption by Region
- 6.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption Estimates and Forecasts by Region: 2021 VS 2025 VS 2032
- 6.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption by Region (2021-2032)
- 6.2.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption by Region: 2021-2026
- 6.2.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Forecasted Consumption by Region (2027-2032)
- 6.3 North America
- 6.3.1 North America Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption Growth Rate by Country: 2021 VS 2025 VS 2032
- 6.3.2 North America Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption by Country (2021-2032)
- 6.3.3 United States
- 6.3.4 Canada
- 6.3.5 Mexico
- 6.4 Europe
- 6.4.1 Europe Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption Growth Rate by Country: 2021 VS 2025 VS 2032
- 6.4.2 Europe Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption by Country (2021-2032)
- 6.4.3 Germany
- 6.4.4 France
- 6.4.5 U.K.
- 6.4.6 Italy
- 6.4.7 Russia
- 6.4.8 Spain
- 6.4.9 Netherlands
- 6.4.10 Switzerland
- 6.4.11 Sweden
- 6.4.12 Poland
- 6.5 Asia Pacific
- 6.5.1 Asia Pacific Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption Growth Rate by Country: 2021 VS 2025 VS 2032
- 6.5.2 Asia Pacific Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption by Country (2021-2032)
- 6.5.3 China
- 6.5.4 Japan
- 6.5.5 South Korea
- 6.5.6 India
- 6.5.7 Australia
- 6.5.8 Taiwan
- 6.5.9 Southeast Asia
- 6.6 South America, Middle East & Africa
- 6.6.1 South America, Middle East & Africa Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption Growth Rate by Country: 2021 VS 2025 VS 2032
- 6.6.2 South America, Middle East & Africa Mercaptoacetic Acid Consumption by Country (2021-2032)
- 6.6.3 Brazil
- 6.6.4 Argentina
- 6.6.5 Chile
- 6.6.6 Turkey
- 6.6.7 GCC Countries
7 Segment by Type
- 7.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production by Type (2021-2032)
- 7.1.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production by Type (2021-2032) & (MT)
- 7.1.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Market Share by Type (2021-2032)
- 7.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value by Type (2021-2032)
- 7.2.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value by Type (2021-2032) & (US$ Million)
- 7.2.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value Market Share by Type (2021-2032)
- 7.3 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Price by Type (2021-2032)
8 Segment by Application
- 8.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production by Application (2021-2032)
- 8.1.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production by Application (2021-2032) & (MT)
- 8.1.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Market Share by Application (2021-2032)
- 8.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value by Application (2021-2032)
- 8.2.1 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value by Application (2021-2032) & (US$ Million)
- 8.2.2 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Value Market Share by Application (2021-2032)
- 8.3 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Price by Application (2021-2032)
9 Value Chain and Sales Channels Analysis of the Market
- 9.1 Mercaptoacetic Acid Value Chain Analysis
- 9.1.1 Mercaptoacetic Acid Key Raw Materials
- 9.1.2 Raw Materials Key Suppliers
- 9.1.3 Mercaptoacetic Acid Production Mode & Process
- 9.2 Mercaptoacetic Acid Sales Channels Analysis
- 9.2.1 Direct Comparison with Distribution Share
- 9.2.2 Mercaptoacetic Acid Distributors
- 9.2.3 Mercaptoacetic Acid Customers
10 Global Mercaptoacetic Acid Analyzing Market Dynamics
- 10.1 Mercaptoacetic Acid Industry Trends
- 10.2 Mercaptoacetic Acid Industry Drivers
- 10.3 Mercaptoacetic Acid Industry Opportunities and Challenges
- 10.4 Mercaptoacetic Acid Industry Restraints
11 Report Conclusion
12 Disclaimer
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