People nowadays are increasingly making use of cosmetic products, as the focus on physical appearance has risen significantly. The surging usage of social media platforms and increased standard of living is further contributing to the rising consciousness regarding physical appearance. Moreover, due to improved economic conditions, the disposable income of people has increased significantly, owing to which, they are able to afford pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. This expansion of the cosmetic industry is also resulting in the growing demand for raw materials that are used in the industry. 

One of such products is lactic acid, and it is utilized in the production of chemical peels, anti-aging products, and skin hydrating agents. The compound exists naturally in fluid and solid form. The acid is also produced commercially for application in a number of industries. Other than the cosmetic industry, lactic acid is also used for synthesizing lactic acid polymers, which are now being utilized as biodegradable plastics. It is due to such factors that the global lactic acid market is predicted to grow at a considerable pace in the near future. 

The key application areas of lactic acid are food and beverage, biodegradable polymers, skin & personal care, and pharmaceuticals industries. Out of these, the food & beverages industry is predicted to make the most use of lactic acid in the years to come, as the compound is being widely used in the number of food products. The demand for such food products is also expected to rise in the near future, as the population is increasing rapidly across the globe. This is further projected to drive the demand for lactic acid. Other than this, the demand for lactic acid is also predicted to increase significantly in the skin & personal care industry in the coming years. 

Geographically, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to register considerable demand for the compound in the years to come, thereby emerging as the fastest-growing lactic acid market in the years to come. This is owing to the surging usage of lactic acid in various industrial applications. In addition to this, countries including China and India are rapidly emerging as major markets for food & beverage and healthcare products due to enhanced living standards. This is predicted to open up wide opportunities for the companies operating the domain. Apart from this, North America is expected to make the most use of lactic acid in the coming years, owing to the growth of the cosmetic industry.

In conclusion, the demand for lactic acid is growing due to the expanding food & beverages and cosmetics industries.