Cellulose Esters and Ethers Market Report 2026

The cellulose esters and ethers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $7.16 billion in 2025 to $7.81 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of paint and coatings industry, growth of processed food consumption, rising use of cellulose derivatives as thickeners, increasing demand from pharmaceutical formulations, availability of wood pulp based raw materials.

The cellulose esters and ethers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $10.81 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable polymer alternatives, rising adoption in controlled drug delivery systems, expansion of specialty coatings applications, growing use in personal care formulations, increasing focus on biodegradable materials. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for bio-based and renewable polymers, increasing use as functional additives in formulations, growing adoption in pharmaceutical excipients, expansion of high-performance coatings applications, enhanced focus on product purity and consistency.

The growth of the personal care industry is driving the cellulose esters and ethers market. Cellulose esters and ethers are versatile compounds derived from natural cellulose, serving as thickeners, binders, stabilizers, and film-forming agents in personal care products. Rising consumer preference for safe, effective formulations that enhance skin and hair health is increasing demand for these compounds. They improve product texture, stability, and overall performance, making them essential in creams, lotions, shampoos, and cosmetics. For instance, in September 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a US-based government agency, spending on personal care products and services rose by 9.7% from 2022 to 2023, while their share of total annual expenditures remained steady at 1.2%. Therefore, the expanding personal care industry is boosting the cellulose esters and ethers market.

Major companies in the cellulose esters and ethers market are forming strategic partnerships to expand distribution, improve product availability, and drive growth. Such partnerships enable technology sharing, enhance supply chain efficiency, and meet rising demand across pharmaceutical, coatings, and personal care sectors. For instance, in June 2023, Brenntag SE, a Germany-based chemical distributor, partnered with SE Tylose GmbH & Co. KG, a Germany-based manufacturer, to distribute HEC and MC cellulose ethers in Canada. These cellulose ethers offer high water retention, viscosity modification, rheology control, excellent stability across temperature and pH variations, and compatibility with diverse formulation ingredients, making them ideal for improving product performance and processing efficiency in industrial and consumer applications.

In May 2025, Roquette Freres S.A., a France-based plant-based ingredients and pharmaceutical-excipients company, acquired IFF Pharma Solutions to strengthen its global pharmaceutical excipients portfolio. This acquisition aims to expand Roquette’s capabilities and global footprint in drug-delivery solutions, reinforcing its position as a key partner in the worldwide pharmaceutical industry. IFF Pharma Solutions, a US-based company, specializes in providing a wide range of cellulose ethers.

Major companies operating in the cellulose esters and ethers market are Borregaard Group, Rayonier Advanced Materials, Celanese Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Nouryon, Ashland Inc., Daicel Corporation, Dow Inc., Sappi Limited, Lamberti S.p.A., Asha Cellulose Pvt. Ltd., Sichuan Push Acetati Co. Ltd., J.M. Huber Corporation, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Akzo Nobel N.V., Rhodia Acetow International GmbH, Shandong Head Group Co. Ltd., Lotte Group, CP Kelco U.S. Inc., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Solvay S.A., China Ruitai International Holdings Co. Ltd., Huzhou Zhanwang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the cellulose esters and ethers market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the cellulose esters and ethers market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the cellulose esters and ethers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The cellulose esters and ethers market consists of sales of carboxymethylcellulose CMC, hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and hydroxylpropylcellulose (HPC). Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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