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This section provides an overview for itaconic acid as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 16 itaconic acid manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked itaconic acid companies as of December, 2024: 1.Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc., 2.GJ Chemical, 3.BioCrick.
Table of Contents
Itaconic Acid is an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, an isomer of mesaconic acid and citraconic acid.
Itaconic Acid is a colorless, hygroscopic crystal with a characteristic odor. It is also known as methylene succinic acid. It is soluble in water and ethanol, but insoluble in benzene, chloroform, and ether.
It is a 5-carbon dicarboxylic acid produced by fungi and has a special molecular structure with vinylidene groups (exomethylene groups). Its CAS number is No. 97-65-4.
Itaconic Acid is used in the following applications:
The double bond in itaconic acid causes radical polymerization. Since it is a dicarboxylic acid, it can be polymerized with diol compounds and converted into polyesters. Copolymerization of itaconic acid ester with other monomers has been commercialized by many companies.
Addition of itaconic acid esters to polymers improves photostability, surface hardness, heat resistance, internal plasticity, adhesion, solvent resistance, and water resistance.
Itaconic acid esters, like acrylic esters, are widely used in paint bases, paper and leather coatings, fiber processing, adhesive wax bases, synthetic rubbers, and adhesives. They are also used in ion exchange resins, ABS resins, and AS resins (acrylonitrile-styrene copolymerization).
Itaconic acid is a food additive. It is used as an acidifier and pH adjuster.
It is also used as a pesticide as an apple pesticide and plant growth regulator. It is believed that when applied after pollination of the apical bud center flower is completed, it causes inhibition of pollen tube elongation or inhibition of fertilization by burning of the column head due to organic acids, thereby producing the effect of flower plucking.
It is also highly regarded as a safe substance used as a raw material for printing inks, dental cement, and industrial cement.
Itaconic acid is a colorless, hygroscopic crystal with a characteristic odor. Its melting point is 164-168℃ (decomposition). It is well soluble in water, soluble in ethanol, and slightly soluble in benzene, chloroform, ether, etc.
Itaconic acid is an extremely safe compound, however because it is an acidic substance, protective equipment (gloves, glasses, mask, etc.) must be worn when handling it. It is important not to store it with alkaline substances and to store it in a cool, well-ventilated place.
It has recently been discovered that itaconic acid itself has anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been found that compounds such as protolichesterinic acid, which has the molecular skeleton of itaconic acid in their molecules, exhibit a variety of physiological activities, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and plant growth regulating activities.
These activities are presumed to be derived from the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl structure, but the details are not known. Thus, compounds with the molecular skeleton of itaconic acid and its derivatives are promising as pharmaceutical raw materials.
Since most of the raw materials for polymers are petroleum, there are concerns about resource depletion, increasing CO2 concentration, and worsening global warming.
For example, polystyrene is made by polymerizing styrene, which is synthesized from ethylbenzene, and ethylbenzene is produced from petroleum. Producing petroleum-derived polymers is considered contrary to sustainable economic activities (SDGs).
In contrast, if polymers can be synthesized from plant resources that grow while taking in CO2 from the atmosphere, global warming can be expected to be curbed through the CO2 cycle. Polymer biopolymers (polymers using biomass) are attracting attention.
Itaconic acid is one of the polymers that can be obtained from plant resources by fermentation, and is a representative example of a biomass-utilizing polymer. It is also one of the 12 biobased key chemicals proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Currently, research on polymers made from biomass such as itaconic acid and research on microorganisms that produce itaconic acid is active.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Cambridge Isotope Laboratories (CIL) established in 1981, is a global supplier of stable isotopes and labeled compounds, headquartered in the United States. The company provides of products for research, environmental analysis, and medical applications.Their comprehensive product offerings include isotopically labeled standards, biochemicals, and gases, catering to many industries and scientific communities, with partnerships worldwide. They specializes in the process of labeling biochemical and organic compounds with highly enriched, stable (nonradioactive) isotopes of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen.
Based in Bayville, NY, SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp. is an ISO-certified supplier and manufacturer of industrial equipment, chemicals, components, ordinance, electronics, and systems for industries ranging from aerospace to high tech to law enforcement. Examples of product offerings include raw materials, chemicals, and lubricants for industrial purposes to finished products such as security helmets for law enforcement, and military ordnances. SAE also provides research and development as well as technical support for other companies in similar industries.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., founded in 1956 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a manufacturer and supplier of life science solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, laboratory products, and biopharma services. Through its brand names, including Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Patheon, Applied Biosystems, and Gibco, among others, the company provides a wide range of products, which include chromatography systems, thermal cyclers, automated cell counters, fermenters, and DNA polymerases. The company’s annual revenue is over 40 billion USD, and it serves several fields, including customers working in clinical diagnostic labs, research institutions, hospitals, government agencies, and pharmaceutical/biotech companies.
TRInternational Inc., founded in 1994 and headquartered in Edmonds, Washington, is a supplier of ingredients, raw materials, and services in North America. Its diversified product portfolio includes chemicals, rubber, and paints used in industries like metalworking, water treatment, and industrial cleaning. It has over 20 stocking and import points across the United States and offers additional services like custom manufacturing, contract packaging, and proprietary formulation. The company is SBA, WOSB, and LGBTBE certified, and in 2018, it was ranked number 70 in the Top 100 Chemical Distributors in North America.
G.J. Chemical is a family-owned company based in Newark, New Jersey. G.J. Chemical serves chemical distributors, laboratories, and a variety of end users with high purity chemical products and custom services. G.J. Chemical capabilities include testing, bulk storage, custom blending, liquid bulk handling, and purifying. G.J. Chemical’s chemical products include reagents, acrylate monomers, hand sanitizers, and isopropyl alcohol. These are made to USP, FCC, Reagent ACS, military grade, and other standards.
Abcam Plc is a British producer and supplier of life science research materials that was established in 1998. Based in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom, the company offers various cell and tissue products including stem cells and growth factors, proteins such as lysates and peptides, and primary as well as secondary antibodies (e.g. flow cytometry). It also provides various kits for measuring different aspects of living organisms, such as metabolism, immunology, and biomarkers. Abcam Plc serves clients in a wide range of biomedical operations, including pharmaceutical production, vaccine development, and institutional academic research.
LKT Laboratories, Inc., established in 1989 and based in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a biochemical supplier and manfuacturer primarily specializing on the synthesis, purification, and isolation of small molecules for research applications. Offering various products like protein kinase inhibitors, ion channel modulators, and activators, these substances are utilized for its biological activities, especially in cancer and neuroscience research. It serves the global research community by supplying the highest purity products for use in cell culture models, animal studies, or as reference materials or analytical standards.
Wego Chemical Group was founded in 1978 and headquartered in Great Neck, New York. WEGO is a full-service supplier and distributor of chemicals, minerals, and other raw materials to clients around the world. Markets and segments include agriculture & animal care, chemical & material manufacturing, construction & building materials, electronics, food & beverage, “household, industrial & institutional”, mining, oil & gas, personal care & pharmaceutical, paper & packaging, surface treatment, textiles, and water treatment.
ChemUniverse, Inc. is a privately owned and operated specialty chemical provider that was founded in 2019.They are headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois. They sell a wide range of chemicals, including amyl benzoate, naphthalene, pyridine, anethole, isoamyl benzoate, and many others which have different purposes. For instance, Amyl benzoate is a flavoring ingredient found in foods and perfumes while Naphthalene is a moth repellent and a component of various industrial solvents. They offer their services to customers looking for specialized or unique products and offer custom synthesis services to produce items that aren't already in their inventory.
Kanto Chemical Co. Inc., founded in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a reagent manufacturer with overseas affiliates in other countries, including China, France, USA, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Its product portfolio includes analytical reagents, ionic liquids, Iodine compounds, ultra-pure chemicals, and water analysis kits. The company is also developing regenerative medicine and genetics reagents and has over 50,000 products. It has several certifications, including ISO 9001, acquired in 1994, making it the first Japanese company in the reagent industry. Other certifications are ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO/IEC 17025.
Toronto Research Chemicals Inc., founded in 1982 and based in Toronto, Canada, is a manufacturer of biochemicals and is a subsidiary of LGC Standards. The ISO 9001-certified company has an extensive catalog of over 350,000 products, including metabolites, impurities, and natural products APIs, which are used in several applications like environmental analysis, forensic science, and medicinal R&D. The company supports the scientific community across more than 120 countries and has 19 production laboratories. In 2019, it was bought by LGC, which provides components to customers in the pharmaceutical, clinical diagnostics, and food markets, among others.
TCI America (TCI) was founded in 1946 and is a worldwide manufacturer of specialty organic chemicals. The company produces organic laboratory chemicals as well as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional materials. TCI’s product segments include Chemistry, Life Science, Materials Science, Analytical Chemistry, and Custom & Bulk. For materials science, the company manufactures battery materials, nanocarbon materials, and magnetic materials. For life sciences, the company produces antibodies, reagents, and chemicals for cancer research. The company produces HLC, NMR, various chemicals, and resins and media for analytical chemistry.
Verified Market Research, established in 2016, is a distinguished supplier and manufacturer of comprehensive market analysis and research reports. The company's team of specialists, including consultants and data analysts, collaborate to deliver industry insights. They offer tailored solutions and custom research studies across diverse markets, supporting informed business decisions. Their advanced analytical capabilities, including VM Intelligence, aid in understanding business needs. The company's consulting services provide solutions for resolving existing issues and deriving future market analyses. Verified Market Research caters to a wide range of roles including business analysts, researchers, sales and business development, etc.
Millipore Sigma, formerly known as Sigma-Aldrich, was created in 175 through the merger of Sigma Chemical Company and Aldrich Chemical company and today is a subsidiary of Merck. Millipore Sigma is a life science and biotechnology company serving the industry with several products and services. Some of their product categories include peptide synthesis materials, biochemicals, building blocks, catalysts, chemical biology, chemical synthesis, flavors & fragrances, formulation, lab chemicals, lab safety, APIs, and stable isotopes. Services include characterization, contract manufacturing, custom products, software, support, testing, and mRNA development & manufacturing.
Nacalai Tesque Inc., founded in 1846 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of research chemicals, fine chemicals, diagnostics, and the related instruments. Some of its products include cytokines, nucleic acid electrophoresis, cell dissociation reagents, and sialic acid-related products, and it also offers custom and bulk service for bulk reagents and cell culture media. The company has more than 50 domestic distributors and several worldwide, including Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. It is ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 certified, while the Kyoto South brand and Tesque factory are ISO 14001 certified.
BioCrick Co., Ltd is located in Chengdu Tianfu Life Science Park in Sichuan Province, China. The company creates a natural product library which provides small molecular compounds with potential biological and pharmacological activities for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and biotechnology companies worldwide. The company’s database includes more than 8,000 compounds collected from natural sources such as as medicinal plants, herbs, fungus, and microbes. The company also a provider of peptides and lab reagents for biological research, carrying a product line in apoptosis, epigenetic, and cancer biology.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambridge Isotope Laboratories, Inc. |
16.5%
|
| 2 | GJ Chemical |
10.1%
|
| 3 | BioCrick |
7.3%
|
| 4 | KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC. |
7.3%
|
| 5 | Abcam plc |
6.4%
|
| 6 | Toronto Research Chemicals |
6.4%
|
| 7 | SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp |
6.4%
|
| 8 | Tokyo Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. |
6.4%
|
| 9 | TRInternational, Inc. |
5.5%
|
| 10 | Wego Chemical Group Inc |
5.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the itaconic acid page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
9 | 69.2% |
|
Japan
|
3 | 23.1% |
|
Canada
|
1 | 7.7% |
