Polyacrylic Acid Market Report 2026

The polyacrylic acid market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.74 billion in 2025 to $3.98 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of detergent industry, adoption of synthetic polymers in cosmetics, increasing use of water treatment chemicals, expansion of industrial cleaning applications, development of acrylic acid chemistry.

The polyacrylic acid market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for advanced water treatment solutions, expansion of pharmaceutical formulations, growth of premium personal care products, increasing industrial wastewater regulations, innovation in polymer dispersion technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include rising use of paa in water treatment applications, growing demand for high performance thickeners, expansion of paa in personal care formulations, increased adoption in detergents and cleaners, focus on multi functional polymer formulations.

The rising demand for personal care products is projected to drive the growth of the polyacrylic acid market in the coming years. Personal care products encompass a wide range of items related to hygiene, grooming, and beauty, including skincare, haircare, oral care, and cosmetics. This growing demand is fueled by increasing consumer awareness of hygiene, self-care, grooming, and changing beauty trends. Polyacrylic acid is utilized in personal care formulations for its thickening, emulsifying, and moisture-retention capabilities, which enhance the texture and stability of products such as lotions, gels, and creams. For example, the Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA), a UK-based trade group, reported that the color cosmetics sector sold 118,178 units in 2022, which rose to 123,056 units in 2023, reflecting a growth of about 4.1%. Similarly, the skincare sector saw an increase from 456,401 units in 2022 to 460,868 units in 2023, marking a growth of approximately 1%. Thus, the growing demand for personal care products is expected to boost the polyacrylic acid market.

Leading companies in the polyacrylic acid market are focusing on high-performance additives, including modified polymers, to improve product performance and formulation stability. Modified polymers are chemically or physically altered to enhance properties such as strength, flexibility, or thermal stability for better performance in specific applications. For instance, in August 2023, Lubrizol Life Science Beauty, a division of The Lubrizol Corporation, launched Carbopol SC-800 polymer, a hydrophobically modified cross-linked polyacrylic acid. This polymer provides an efficient thickening and stabilizing solution for mild, sulfate-free cleansers such as shower gels, shampoos, and facial cleansers. It offers superior clarity, thickening efficiency, and suspension properties compared to other polymers, giving formulators the flexibility to enhance skin cleansing formulations. Additionally, foam generation studies indicate that this polymer maintains foam volume and quality, ensuring the desired lather in rinse-off beauty products without compromising performance.

In August 2023, Nantong Jiangshan Agrochemical & Chemicals Limited Liability Co., Ltd., a China-based company specializing in agrochemicals and fine chemicals, acquired a 67% stake in Nantong Uniphos Chemicals Co., Ltd. for $24.71 million. This acquisition is a strategic move to expand its presence in the water treatment chemicals sector while strengthening its position in China's broader specialty chemicals market. Nantong Uniphos Chemicals Co. Ltd. is a Chinese manufacturer focused on producing polyacrylic acid-based compounds.

Major companies operating in the polyacrylic acid market are BASF SE, Dow Chemical Company, Arkema S.A., Solvay S.A., SNF Group, Kemira Oyj, Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd., The Lubrizol Corporation, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Toagosei Co. Ltd., Evonik Industries, LG Chem, Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Company, Wanhua Chemical Group, Sanyo Chemical Industries, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Zhejiang Satellite Chemical, Shanghai Huayi Acrylic Acid, Anhui Newman Fine Chemicals, Shandong ThFine Chemical, Acuro Organics Limited.

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

The polyacrylic acid market consists of sales of standard polyacrylic acid, neutralized polyacrylic acid, and low-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid. 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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