Paper Chemicals Market Report 2026

The paper chemicals market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $40.38 billion in 2025 to $41.9 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of paper and pulp manufacturing, growth of packaging and board production, increasing demand for printing paper, rising adoption of chemical additives, availability of commodity paper chemicals.

The paper chemicals market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $47.65 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing focus on recyclable paper products, rising demand for specialty paper chemicals, expansion of hygiene paper applications, growing investments in eco-friendly papermaking, increasing adoption of advanced coating technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for sustainable paper additives, rising adoption of functional paper chemicals, growing use in packaging applications, expansion of high-quality printing papers, enhanced focus on paper strength and brightness.

The increase in usage of paper-based packaging is driving the growth of the paper chemicals market. Paper containers, also referred to as paper packaging, are a highly efficient and affordable alternative for transporting, carrying, and storing various items. Many paper packaging products, including soup jars, plates, and bowls, contain PFAS (paper chemicals). Paper-based packaging can be easily recycled and contributes to sustainability. For instance, in October 2023, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, around 80 million tons of packaging waste were produced in Europe, with paper and cardboard accounting for 41%, followed by plastic (19%), glass (19%), wood (16%), and metal (5%). Municipal recycling rates were 82% for paper and cardboard packaging, 78% for metallic packaging, 76% for glass packaging, 41% for plastic, and 31% for wooden packages. Therefore, the increasing adoption of paper-based packaging and its sustainable properties are driving the paper chemicals market.

Key players in the paper chemicals market are dedicated to innovating products like the Valmet Polarox6 to provide dependable services to their customers. The Valmet Polarox6 is an inline measurement tool for pulp bleaching aimed at optimizing the bleaching process by enhancing measurement and control precision. For instance, in May 2023, Valmet Oyj, a Finland-based technology firm that offers automation systems for the pulp, paper, and energy sectors, introduced the Valmet Polarox6. This device includes a sensor that prevents the under- or overdosing of bleaching chemicals, ensuring the precise dosage needed for the pulp bleaching process.

In February 2023, Solenis, a US-based specialty chemicals manufacturer, acquired the paper process chemicals division of KLK Kolb Group for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows Solenis to enhance its offerings and provide cost-effective solutions for its pulp and paper clients. KLK Kolb Group is a Switzerland-based producer of paper process chemicals.

Major companies operating in the paper chemicals market are Kemira Oyj, BASF SE, Solenis LLC, Akzo Nobel N.V., Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Dow Inc., Evonik Industries AG, Huntsman Corporation, Imerys S.A., Omya AG, Minerals Technologies Inc., Buckman Laboratories International Inc., Archroma Corporation, SNF Group, Borregaard ASA, Nouryon, Clariant AG, LANXESS AG, Kuraray Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Solvay S.A., Arkema S.A.

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

The paper chemicals market consists of sales of optical brightening agent, pigment, retention agent, caustic soda, sizing agent, and wet strength additive. 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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