Pulp Bleaching Agent Global Market Report 2025

The pulp bleaching agents market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.21 billion in 2024 to $4.49 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%. The growth during the historic period resulted from increasing use of chlorine-free bleaching agents in paper manufacturing, rising demand from the textile industry for brighter fabrics, growing adoption of biodegradable bleaching chemicals in the packaging sector, expanding use of bleaching agents in wastewater treatment processes, and higher consumption of specialty papers requiring advanced bleaching solutions.

The pulp bleaching agents market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.73 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. Growth in the forecast period is driven by rising demand for sustainable and biodegradable bleaching agents, expansion of paper and packaging industries in emerging economies, growing awareness of hygiene and cleanliness standards, increasing use of bleaching agents in textile processing for premium fabrics, and stronger preference for environmentally safe chemical solutions in industrial applications. Key trends in the forecast period include advancements in environmentally friendly bleaching formulations, innovation in biodegradable and non-toxic bleaching chemicals, integration of sustainable practices in pulp and paper production, progress in oxygen-based bleaching methods, and development of multi-functional bleaching products for diverse applications.

The expanding textile industry is expected to drive the growth of the pulp bleaching agents market. The textile industry involves the design, production, and distribution of fabric materials used in clothing, home furnishings, and technical applications. This industry is growing due to rising consumer demand for apparel and home textiles, fueled by increasing disposable incomes and urbanization in emerging markets. As textile manufacturing expands, the demand for pulp bleaching agents rises, as these chemicals are vital for producing high-quality white and colored fabrics by removing natural impurities from cellulosic fibers. For instance, in March 2025, the European Environment Agency, based in Denmark, reported that in 2023, the European Union’s textile and clothing sector employed approximately 1.3 million people across 197,000 companies, generating $199.51 billion (EUR 170 billion) in turnover. Additionally, the EU exported 4 million tons of finished textiles valued at $85.67 billion (EUR 73 billion) in 2022. Therefore, the growing textile industry is contributing to the growth of the pulp bleaching agents market.

Companies in the pulp bleaching agent market are increasingly focused on developing eco-friendly products such as low-carbon hydrogen peroxide to enhance sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Low-carbon hydrogen peroxide is produced using renewable energy sources and fossil-free hydrogen, significantly reducing its carbon footprint compared to traditional production methods. For example, in March 2025, Nouryon, a Netherlands-based chemical manufacturer, launched Ek HP Puroxide, a low-carbon hydrogen peroxide product made in Sweden using renewable electricity. This product helps customers in the pulp and paper industry lower their Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions, potentially cutting carbon emissions by up to 90% compared to traditional natural gas steam reforming processes. This innovation aligns with the increasing demand for sustainable solutions across European industries.

In December 2023, Evonik Industries AG, a Germany-based chemical company, acquired Thai Peroxide Company Limited for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to strengthen Evonik’s Active Oxygens portfolio in the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific market. It also enhances the company’s specialty hydrogen peroxide and peracetic acid offerings for high-demand industries such as electronics while leveraging Thai Peroxide's expertise to improve customer proximity and sustainability. Thai Peroxide Company Limited, based in Thailand, manufactures hydrogen peroxide for the pulp and paper industry.

Major players in the pulp bleaching agent market are BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, Evonik Industries AG, Akzo Nobel N.V., Arkema S.A., Solvay S.A., Huntsman Corporation, Clariant AG, Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company Inc., Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V., Orica Limited, Hubei Xingfa Chemicals Group Co. Ltd., Luxi Chemical Group Co. Ltd., Kemira Oyj, Aditya Birla Chemicals (India) Ltd., Tianjin Chemical Industry Research Institute Co. Ltd., Jiangsu Zhongneng Chemical Co. Ltd., Hongye Holding Group Co. Ltd., Shouguang Xinsheng Chemical Co. Ltd., Suzhou MGC Suhua Peroxide Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the pulp bleaching agents market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in pulp bleaching agent report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The intensifying U.S. tariffs and escalating trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to have a significant impact on the chemicals sector, which is bearing a disproportionate burden, particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic substitutes are often unavailable. Producers of specialty chemicals, heavily dependent on Chinese raw materials, are experiencing production disruptions. At the same time, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing profit margins eroded due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are ramping up R&D into bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to consolidate buying power, and shifting production to tariff-neutral nations such as Saudi Arabia.

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

Pulp bleaching agents are chemicals used in paper manufacturing to whiten pulp and enhance its brightness. They function by breaking down or modifying the natural color of lignin and other impurities in the pulp. This process improves the paper’s quality, strength, and visual appeal, producing a cleaner and brighter final product.

The primary types of pulp bleaching agents include hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, peracetic acid, and others. Hydrogen peroxide is used in pulp bleaching to whiten and brighten pulp by removing or altering lignin and other impurities. The chemical categories include totally chlorine free (TCF) and elemental chlorine free (ECF), and they are applied in various processes, including chemical pulp and mechanical pulp production.

The countries covered in the pulp bleaching agent market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The pulp bleaching agent market consists of sales of brightness enhancement additives, chlorine-free bleaching systems, sodium hypochlorite, oxygen-based bleaching chemicals, and enzymatic bleaching agents. 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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