Industrially, 3-hydroxybutanoic acid is used for the manufacture of biodegradable plastics. It is also acts as a solvent in organoleptics, cosmetics. It is also used in enantioselective synthesis of D-(-)-3-hydroxybutyric acid by Escherichia coli.

This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.