Regenerated Cellulose Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Regenerated Cellulose Market is projected to expand from USD 20.31 Billion in 2025 to USD 29.15 Billion by 2031, achieving a CAGR of 6.21%. This sector encompasses bio-based fibers such as viscose, lyocell, and modal, which are manufactured through the chemical dissolution and processing of natural cellulose, predominantly derived from wood pulp.

The market's fundamental momentum stems from the global textile industry's urgent need to adopt biodegradable substitutes that provide the tactile comfort of natural fibers while reducing the ecological impact associated with fossil-fuel-based synthetics. This structural transition toward renewable materials is supported by recent production data; according to the Textile Exchange, global output of manmade cellulosic fibers rose to 8.4 million tonnes in 2024. This trajectory underscores the sector's growing importance in filling the void left by cotton shortages and challenging the dominance of synthetic fibers.

However, the market encounters substantial obstacles related to supply chain sustainability. A primary barrier to wider expansion involves the difficulty of securing zero-deforestation feedstocks alongside the high capital requirements for closed-loop chemical processing. The stringent necessity to upgrade aging infrastructure for solvent recovery and verify the origins of wood pulp results in elevated operational costs. These expenses risk stalling growth in price-sensitive markets where traditional synthetics persist as the economically dominant option.

Market Drivers

The strategic realignment of fashion brands toward circular economy principles is fundamentally transforming the Global Regenerated Cellulose Market, establishing a strict mandate for traceability and responsible sourcing. Leading apparel conglomerates are transitioning from voluntary sustainability targets to enforcing rigorous procurement protocols, compelling fiber manufacturers to eliminate feedstocks from endangered forests and implement closed-loop technologies. This corporate shift secures a dedicated market for compliant fibers, as brands aggressively adopt these materials to satisfy decarbonization goals. For instance, according to Inditex's 'Annual Report 2023' released in March 2024, the retailer sourced 85% of its man-made cellulosic fibers from manufacturers holding 'green shirt' status in the CanopyStyle initiative, highlighting the commercial necessity of certified sustainable production.

Concurrently, rising consumer appetite for biodegradable and sustainable fibers is pushing the industry toward greater transparency and innovation. Informed consumers are increasingly bypassing fossil-based synthetics for bio-based options, forcing producers to validate their environmental claims through stringent third-party audits. This pressure has hastened the adoption of best practices throughout the supply chain, elevating market entry barriers. According to Canopy’s 'Hot Button Report 2024' published in December 2024, 71% of assessed man-made cellulosic fiber producers have earned a 'green shirt' designation, indicating broad industry adherence to low-risk sourcing standards. Despite these advancements, the shift to fully circular feedstocks is still in its early phases; the Textile Exchange's 'Materials Market Report 2024' from September 2024 notes that man-made cellulosic fibers from recycled feedstocks accounted for only 0.7% of the market in 2023, underscoring significant potential for next-generation technologies.

Market Challenges

The principal obstacle hindering the growth of the Global Regenerated Cellulose Market is the significant financial pressure resulting from strict environmental sustainability requirements. Manufacturers are compelled to invest heavily in upgrading aging facilities to ensure closed-loop solvent recovery and establishing intricate verification processes to guarantee wood pulp is free from deforestation risks. These capital-intensive duties directly raise operational expenses, necessitating higher final prices for fibers like viscose and lyocell. As a result, these bio-based alternatives become considerably more costly than standard fossil-based synthetics, which do not bear similar environmental compliance burdens.

This price gap generates a serious competitive disadvantage, especially in regions where affordability drives procurement choices. The inability to match the low price points of incumbent synthetics impedes market penetration and restricts broad adoption. This economic friction is reflected in recent industry evaluations; according to the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) in July 2024, 27% of global textile companies identified high raw material costs as a critical concern affecting business performance. Such data highlights how the premium costs required to secure compliant, sustainable feedstocks act as a growth barrier, effectively stopping regenerated cellulose from superseding cheaper synthetic competitors in the mass market.

Market Trends

The commercialization of textile-to-textile recycling technologies is swiftly advancing from pilot-stage validation to industrial-scale production, propelled by the critical need to secure circular feedstocks. Manufacturers are committing significant infrastructure investments to convert blended textile waste into high-grade pulp, effectively scaling circularity beyond limited capsule collections. For instance, as reported by Textile World in the May 2025 article 'Circ To Open World's First Of Its Kind Commercial Plant For Polycotton Recycling', the innovator Circ revealed plans for a new facility capable of processing 70,000 metric tons of polycotton material annually. This trend marks a pivotal structural shift in the market, establishing a scalable supply chain for next-generation fibers that reduces the industry's long-term reliance on virgin wood pulp and alleviates raw material volatility.

Concurrently, the incorporation of lyocell fibers into nonwoven hygiene products is growing as the sector pursues high-performance, biodegradable substitutes for fossil-based plastics. This transition is defined by targeted capital expenditures designed to upgrade production lines for manufacturing specialized hydrophobic and absorbent fibers appropriate for single-use items such as wipes and sanitary products. According to Textile Excellence's November 2025 article 'Lenzing Commits EUR 15 Million To Expand Nonwoven Capacity For Global Hygiene Market', the Lenzing Group sanctioned a EUR 15 million investment to bolster its manufacturing capacity for VEOCEL branded lyocell fibers. This strategic capital allocation highlights the increasing penetration of regenerated cellulose within the hygiene sector, expanding the material's reach beyond its traditional apparel base to satisfy the demand for plastic-free personal care solutions.

Key Players Profiled in the Regenerated Cellulose Market

• Grasim Industries Limited
• Lenzing AG
• GP Cellulose, LLC
• Eastman Chemical Company
• Fulida Group
• Kelheim Fibres GmbH
• CFF GmbH & Co. KG
• Century Textile and Industry Limited
• Celanese Corporation
• Asahi Kasei Corporation

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Regenerated Cellulose Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Regenerated Cellulose Market, by Type:

• Fiber
• Film

Regenerated Cellulose Market, by Source:

• Wood-Pulp
• Non-Wood-Pulp
• Recycled Pulp/De-inked Pulp

Regenerated Cellulose Market, by End User Industry:

• Textile
• Automotive
• Packaging
• Agriculture
• Others

Regenerated Cellulose Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Regenerated Cellulose Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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