China Hypochlorous Acid Market Overview, 2030

The Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) market in China has moved rapidly from niche industrial and municipal uses to broad multi-sector adoption over the past decade initially confined to water treatment, pools, and limited hospital use, HOCl saw steady uptake from 2015 onward as on-site electrolytic generation technologies matured and domestic producers scaled capacity, demand surged again during the COVID-19 period when institutions, logistics hubs, and consumer brands sought safer, low-residue disinfectants, accelerating product diversification into wound care, food-processing sanitation, agricultural biosecurity, and consumer sprays/wipes. Market characteristics today include a large domestic supply, wide regional variation in procurement practices, and strong emphasis on rapid logistics and integrated service. Regulatory and environmental pressures central and provincial drives to reduce hazardous chemical use and improve public health favor HOCl’s low-residue profile but also raise compliance burdens. Strategic recommendations invest in R&D for stabilized, longer-shelf-life HOCl and validated contact-time claims to win institutional tenders, establish local production or licensed manufacturing to lower cost, accelerate approvals, and avoid import barriers, build partnerships with hospital networks, food processors, and logistics providers for pilot installs of on-site generators plus service contracts, pursue China-specific certifications and third-party efficacy testing GB standards, NMPA/Biocides and transparent environmental reporting to gain trust, adopt tiered product strategies premium, validated stabilized SKUs for large institutional buyers and cost-efficient generation solutions for price-sensitive regional markets, and strengthen supply-chain resilience for salt/electricity costs and implement circular, low-waste production practices to align with Chinese sustainability mandates and secure long-term market access.

According to the research report ""China Hypochlorous Acid Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the China Hypochlorous Acid market is anticipated to grow at more than 7.47% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The regulatory and compliance landscape for the Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) market in China is governed by a combination of national safety, environmental, and public health policies that impact production, distribution, and application. HOCl products fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE), National Health Commission (NHC), State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), and the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA), depending on end-use. For disinfectant applications, manufacturers must comply with GB (Guobiao) national standards such as GB 27950 for disinfectants’ hygiene requirements and GB/T 26366 for test methods, along with mandatory registration of product formulations with provincial health authorities. In healthcare and wound care, HOCl is treated as a Class II medical device or antiseptic under NMPA oversight, requiring safety, stability, and efficacy data before market approval. Food and beverage sanitation uses must adhere to GB 31654 and GB 5749 for food contact and drinking water safety. Environmental protection laws require producers to manage byproducts, wastewater, and chemical residues, while energy consumption is monitored under industrial efficiency guidelines. On-site generation systems must meet electrical safety standards (GB/T 16916) and be certified for use in industrial or public facilities. Labelling regulations demand clear indication of active ingredient concentration, shelf life, storage instructions, and approved uses. Recent policy trends emphasize eco-friendly disinfectants and low-hazard chemicals, aligning with China’s “Green Development” strategy. Non-compliance can lead to fines, product recalls, or operational shutdowns, making regulatory adherence a critical factor for both domestic and foreign companies aiming to expand in China’s HOCl market.

In the Chinese hypochlorous acid market, the Sodium Hypochlorite segment holds a significant share due to its established use in large-scale water treatment facilities, municipal sanitation projects, and industrial disinfection processes. Its cost-effectiveness and broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties make it the preferred choice for public utilities and manufacturing plants, especially in densely populated urban regions where water safety and hygiene regulations are stringent. However, it faces challenges related to stability and handling, as it is prone to degradation under high temperatures an important factor in southern China’s climate. Calcium Hypochlorite is widely used in rural water treatment, aquaculture, and small-scale sanitation due to its higher chlorine content, longer shelf life, and ease of transport in solid form. It is particularly popular in inland provinces where liquid chemical logistics are less developed. However, its higher cost and potential for hazardous chemical reactions require careful compliance with Chinese hazardous substance storage laws. The Other Types category includes stabilized HOCl formulations and specialty blends for medical, cosmetic, and food-processing applications. This is gaining momentum in premium markets such as wound care, fresh produce washing, and high-end personal care products, driven by China’s growing middle class and demand for safe, non-toxic solutions. Technological advancements, such as on-site HOCl generators for hospitals and food facilities, are expected to expand this category rapidly. Government support for green chemistry and eco-friendly disinfectants is further encouraging diversification in this segment, presenting strong opportunities for domestic innovators and foreign entrants offering differentiated, high-purity HOCl solutions.

In China’s hypochlorous acid market, Water Treatment remains the largest application segment, driven by stringent national policies such as the Water Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan and increasing investments in municipal water infrastructure to ensure safe drinking water in both urban and rural regions. Industrial wastewater treatment also fuels demand, particularly in manufacturing hubs like Guangdong and Jiangsu. Healthcare & Wound Care is expanding rapidly, supported by China’s growing healthcare sector, rising hospital hygiene standards, and the adoption of HOCl-based disinfectants in both clinical and home-care settings due to their non-toxic, skin-safe properties. Food & Beverage Sanitation demand is increasing with stricter National Food Safety Standards (GB) enforcement, encouraging the use of HOCl for produce washing, meat processing, and food-contact surface disinfection. Agriculture & Veterinary applications benefit from HOCl’s ability to control pathogens without leaving harmful residues, making it suitable for livestock hygiene, aquaculture biosecurity, and post-harvest crop treatment, especially in export-oriented agricultural regions. Disinfectants & Cleaning Products form a significant portion of consumer demand, with HOCl increasingly positioned as a safe, eco-friendly alternative to harsh chemical disinfectants in homes, offices, and public spaces an adoption trend accelerated by heightened post-pandemic hygiene awareness. The market is further shaped by innovation in ready-to-use sprays, fogging solutions, and refillable HOCl generators for both commercial and household use. Government encouragement for green, biodegradable disinfection solutions, coupled with rising consumer preference for safer cleaning agents, is expected to support growth across all application categories, with healthcare and food safety driving the fastest adoption rates.

In China’s hypochlorous acid market, Liquid form dominates due to its versatility, immediate usability, and strong adoption across healthcare, food sanitation, and water treatment applications. Liquid HOCl solutions are widely used in hospitals, municipal water plants, and food processing facilities because of their ease of dosing, rapid antimicrobial action, and compatibility with spraying and fogging systems. They are also increasingly integrated into consumer cleaning products and personal hygiene sprays. Powder form represents a smaller but growing segment, primarily for industrial and agricultural users who require cost-effective bulk transportation and long-term storage stability. In remote or rural areas, powder formulations are advantageous as they can be reconstituted into HOCl solutions on-site, minimizing degradation issues during transport. Gel form, while niche, is gaining attention in healthcare, wound care, and personal hygiene markets due to its controlled-release properties and better adherence to skin or surfaces, making it effective for wound disinfection, dermatological treatments, and high-touch area sanitation. Gel-based HOCl products are also being explored in veterinary applications for infection prevention. From a production perspective, liquid HOCl faces stability challenges in storage, prompting Chinese manufacturers to invest in stabilized formulations and advanced packaging technologies. Powder and gel formats benefit from reduced degradation but require additional processing costs.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Hypochlorous Acid Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Type
• Sodium Hypochlorite
• Calcium Hypochlorite
• Other Types

By Application
• Water Treatment
• Healthcare & Wound Care
• Food & Beverage Sanitation
• Agriculture & Veterinary
• Disinfectants & Cleaning Products
• Others (Cosmetics, Industrial)

By Form
• Liquid
• Powder
• Gel Show more