Cellulosic Polymers Market Report 2025

This Cellulosic Polymers Market report delivers an in-depth analysis of the market’s key characteristics, including size, growth potential, and segmentation. It provides a detailed breakdown of the market across major regions and leading countries, highlighting historical data and future growth projections. The report also examines the competitive landscape, market share insights, emerging trends, and strategic developments shaping the market.

The cellulosic polymers market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $10.17 billion in 2024 to $11.19 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to the increasing demand for sustainable materials, a rise in eco-friendly packaging solutions, enhanced regulatory support for biodegradable products, the expansion of the food and beverage industry, and the need for improved performance in paints and coatings.

The cellulosic polymers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $16.23 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. The growth during the forecast period can be attributed to the increasing consumer preference for sustainable and biodegradable products, the expansion of the construction industry driving the demand for eco-friendly materials, rising awareness of environmental issues influencing purchasing decisions, government policies promoting the use of bio-based materials, and the growing demand for health and wellness products that require safe packaging solutions. Key trends in the forecast period include advancements in technology enabling the production of specialty cellulose products, a focus on circular economy practices encouraging recycling and reusability, increased consumer interest in sustainable and natural materials, the development of innovative applications in the pharmaceutical sector, and collaboration between industries to promote bio-based alternatives.

The growing demand for personal care products is expected to drive the expansion of the cellulosic polymer market in the future. Personal care products cover a wide range of items used for hygiene, grooming, and enhancing appearance, including skincare, haircare, oral care, cosmetics, and fragrances. This increasing popularity is fueled by greater consumer awareness of health and wellness, a focus on personal grooming and aesthetics, and the influence of social media trends. Cellulosic polymers are commonly used in personal care products as thickeners, stabilizers, and film-forming agents to improve texture, viscosity, and overall product performance. For example, in July 2024, a report by the British Beauty Council, a UK-based organization, highlighted that the personal care sector contributed £27.2 billion ($30.44 billion) to the UK’s GDP in 2023, marking an 11% increase compared to 2022. This growth was attributed to a 10% rise in household spending on personal care products and services in the UK. Therefore, the increasing popularity of personal care products is driving the growth of the cellulosic polymer market.

Key players in the cellulosic polymers market are shifting towards biodegradable alternatives, such as natural fibers and plant-based materials, to strengthen their position in the market. Natural fibers and plant-based materials are biodegradable substances sourced from plants, animals, or minerals, and are used in various applications to promote sustainability and reduce environmental impact. For instance, in March 2022, Polyplastics Group, a Japan-based manufacturing company, launched PLASTRON LFT, an eco-friendly material made from specially formulated regenerated cellulose fibers. This lightweight material offers exceptional mechanical strength, helping manufacturers reduce their carbon footprint and meet sustainability goals. By incorporating natural fibers and plant-based materials, PLASTRON LFT expands its potential applications. Developed using a solvent-based process that significantly reduces CO2 emissions and waste, the material recycles nearly all solvents used. Compared to long-fiber glass-reinforced polypropylene, PLASTRON LFT is both lighter and stronger, with a flexural modulus approximately 3% higher, as well as superior impact, tensile, and flexural strength, making it a durable and sustainable alternative for a variety of industries.

In September 2022, Sulzer, a Switzerland-based engineering company, partnered with CELLiCON to scale up renewable biopolymer technology. This collaboration aims to advance sustainable cellulose-based materials, enhance manufacturing efficiency, and improve scalability to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly biopolymers. CELLiCON, a Netherlands-based biotechnology company, specializes in developing advanced biotechnology solutions focused on cellulosic polymers and sustainable materials for various industrial applications.

Major players in the cellulosic polymers market are Dow Inc., Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Asahi Kasei Corporation, Grasim Industries Limited, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Eastman Chemical Company, Celanese Corporation, Nippon Paper Industries, Borregaard ASA, Sappi Limited, Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V., Daicel Corporation, Lenzing AG, Rayonier Advanced Materials, CP Kelco ApS, Blanver Farmoquimica e Farmaceutica S.A., J. Rettenmaier & Söhne GmbH, Viscose Group, and JNC Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the cellulosic polymers market in 2024. The regions covered in cellulosic polymer report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the cellulosic polymer market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Cellulosic polymers are biodegradable materials derived from cellulose, primarily obtained from plant sources, and are used in a wide range of applications such as packaging, textiles, and pharmaceuticals due to their versatile properties. Their benefits include biodegradability, renewability, non-toxicity, and adaptability, making them suitable for various industries while supporting environmental sustainability.

The primary types of cellulosic polymers are cellulose esters and cellulose ethers. Cellulose esters are derived from cellulose, a natural polymer found in plant cell walls. These polymers are used in applications such as paints and coatings, flexible packaging, skincare, print laminations, and others. They are utilized by industries such as food and beverage, building and construction, personal and cosmetic care, medical and pharmaceutical, among others.

The cellulosic polymers market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cellulosic polymers market statistics, including cellulosic polymers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cellulosic polymers market share, detailed cellulosic polymers market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cellulosic polymers industry. This cellulosic polymers market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The cellulosic polymer market consists of sales of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), lyocell, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC), viscose (rayon), and cellulosic nanomaterials. 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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