The US market for commercial amino acids is growing steadily, and by 2016 is forecast to achieve revenues of over $2 billion, compared with a 2011 figure of $1.8 billion. The US commercial amino acid market accounts for around 20pc of the global amino acids market, which is worth in excess of $9 billion. Knowledge and understanding of the potential capabilities of amino acids is increasing, and there is growing interest in new commercial applications. Existing applications for the 20 essential amino acids are still noting growth, particularly as production costs are declining, making them a more viable option for some companies than they have been in the past. Three key commercial amino acid market sectors are examined within the report: animal feed supplements; human food flavourings and nutritional additives, and specialty uses, e.g., medical, therapeutic, research, and industrial applications. The animal feed supplements segment is the largest, forecast to see revenues of over $1.2 billion by 2016, having grown at a CAGR of 3.9pc over the reporting period. The flavourings segment holds a much smaller share of the US amino acids market, with a 2011 valuation of $561 million. By 2016, the flavourings market is expected to have grown to $650 million, representing a CAGR of 3pc. The commercial amino acid research report profiles a number of the industry’s key players, for example: Adisseo USA, Ajinomoto Aminoscience, Ajinomoto Co., Archer Daniels Midland, CJ Corporation, Daesang Corporation, Evonik, Kyowa Hakko Kogyo, Monsanto, Nippon Soda, Showa Denko KK and Zhejiang Chemicals.