Succinic anhydride is used as a sizing agent and curative for epoxy resin. It acts as an additive in paper production. It is utilized in the preparation of covalently cross-linked oxidized-alginate and N-succinyl-chitosan hydrogels. It serves as an intermediate for functionalized oxide surfaces on a chip and for polyester resins. Further, it finds use in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and in coatings.