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

The Global Desiccants Market is projected to expand from a valuation of USD 1.19 Billion in 2025 to reach USD 1.67 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 5.81%. These hygroscopic agents, including materials like calcium chloride and silica gel, are engineered to extract moisture from their surroundings to maintain dryness. Growth is primarily propelled by the indispensable requirement for humidity control within pharmaceutical packaging to preserve drug stability, alongside the necessity of shielding delicate electronic parts from corrosive damage. Additionally, the robust volume of cross-border trade demands reliable moisture management strategies during shipping to avert spoilage, a trend supported by industrial activity where, according to the American Chemistry Council, global chemical production rose by 1.1 percent in December 2024.

However, the industry faces a considerable hurdle related to ecological sustainability and waste management protocols. Traditional desiccant products frequently utilize synthetic packaging components that are challenging to recycle, as well as chemical indicators that draw regulatory attention due to potential hazards. The significant capital outlay needed to engineer sustainable replacements and adhere to increasingly strict environmental regulations poses a formidable difficulty for producers, potentially slowing the pace of broader market development.

Market Drivers

A major impetus for the desiccants market is the swift growth of the pharmaceutical sector, which fundamentally relies on strict moisture regulation to uphold drug safety and efficacy. As drug formulations grow increasingly intricate and susceptible to humidity, producers depend heavily on advanced desiccant canisters and packets to avert degradation and hydrolysis during shipment and storage. This dependency is especially pronounced in key markets with rising healthcare expenditures; for instance, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations noted in their November 2024 report that North America represented 54.8 percent of estimated global pharmaceutical sales in 2024, underscoring the immense volume of products needing desiccant protection to satisfy rigorous quality standards.

Simultaneously, rising demand within the semiconductor and electronics industries drives market progress, given that circuit boards and microchips are vulnerable to defects and corrosion from ambient moisture. Specialized desiccants are essential in packaging these items to ensure they reach assembly lines in perfect condition, a requirement amplified by the boom in chip manufacturing. The Semiconductor Industry Association reported in February 2025 that global sales reached $627.6 billion in 2024, a surge in output that directly boosts desiccant consumption. This demand is further supported by logistics trends; per the International Air Transport Association, global air cargo demand rose by 3.2 percent year-on-year in January 2025, indicating a continuous flow of sensitive goods needing humidity protection during transport.

Market Challenges

A significant barrier confronting the Global Desiccants Market is the issue of environmental sustainability and waste disposal. Traditional desiccant products often rely on synthetic packaging that is not biodegradable and chemical indicators that are difficult to recycle or potentially harmful. With environmental laws becoming stricter, producers are forced to move away from proven, low-cost materials in favor of eco-friendly substitutes. This transition requires substantial investment in research and development, which inevitably raises production expenses and compresses profit margins that might otherwise be used to fuel market growth.

These regulatory and financial strains are clearly reflected in the wider chemical manufacturing sector that supports this industry. Data from the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) indicates that production volumes in the chemical-pharmaceutical domain in 2024 were still roughly 16 percent below 2018 levels. This lack of growth highlights the challenges firms encounter in sustaining momentum amidst high operating costs and compliance requirements. As a result, the desiccant industry faces difficulties in efficiently scaling operations, as the cost of adhering to sustainability norms restricts the capacity to fully leverage increasing market demand.

Market Trends

The Global Desiccants Market is undergoing a fundamental transformation through the incorporation of IoT-enabled sensors and smart moisture indicators, turning passive humidity management into active supply chain intelligence. Logistics operators are increasingly adopting desiccant units equipped with wireless capabilities to track environmental conditions in real time, enabling prompt action before moisture harms valuable freight. This technological merger is fueled by the necessity for detailed visibility within intricate distribution systems, where adherence to strict humidity limits is vital for product safety. According to the 'State of Visibility 2025' report by Tive in March 2025, the utilization of IoT-based cargo tracking tools surged by 200 percent from the prior year, as businesses favored automated digital monitoring over traditional manual techniques.

In parallel, there is a distinct movement toward the adoption of bio-based and biodegradable desiccant materials as manufacturers adjust formulations to support ambitious circular economy objectives. Facing concerns over the environmental footprint of plastic laminates and synthetic silica gel, the sector is shifting toward natural alternatives such as bentonite clay and fiber-based sachet wrappers that remove microplastic waste. Leading chemical suppliers are spearheading this change by systematically revamping their product lines to satisfy customer requests for renewable and compostable packaging. For instance, Clariant stated in its 'Integrated Report 2024' released in March 2025 that over 80 percent of its portfolio is now comprised of sustainable products, demonstrating the extensive commitment of major vendors to eco-friendly innovation.

Key Players Profiled in the Desiccants Market

• Fuji Silysia Chemical Ltd.
• Desicca Chemical Pvt. Ltd.
• TROPACK Packmitel GmbH
• Oker-Chemie GmbH
• Hengye, Inc.
• Multisorb Technologies Inc.
• Clariant AG
• Capitol Scientific, Inc.
• W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
• Evonik Industries AG

Report Scope

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

Desiccants Market, by Type:

• Silica Gel
• Activated Alumina
• Activated Charcoal
• Zeolite
• Calcium Chloride
• Clay
• Others

Desiccants Market, by End User:

• Packaging
• Food
• Pharmaceutical
• Electronics
• Others

Desiccants 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 Desiccants 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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