Electrodialysis applied for phenylacetic acid separation from organic impurities: Increasing the recovery

•Anion-exchange membrane can adsorb significant amounts of phenylacetic acid.•Various salts were tested for phenylacetate anion displacement in the membrane.•Two stage electrodialysis was proposed to increase the recovery of phenylacetic acid.•After the second stage recovery of phenylacetic acid increased to 95%.•Electrodialysis was suitable for phenylacetic acid separation from impurities.