Adipic acid is not generally considered a naturally abundant compound. While trace amounts are found in certain plants and beet juice, it is almost entirely produced industrially for large-scale applications, typically via the chemical oxidation of cyclohexane or modern bio-based routes utilizing renewable raw materials. Also known as hexanoic acid, adipic acid is a white crystalline dicarboxylic acid widely used as a key ingredient in nylon 6,6 fibers and resins, and is also an important additive in food, plasticizers, polyurethanes, and coatings.