Lignin Market Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2021-2026

Market Insights

Lignin is one of the most abundantly available biopolymers on earth and has been attributed as the most sustainable bio-resource. Lignin was traditionally used as a fuel for burning. However, over the past few years, manufacturers are exploring new revenue streams for lignin across different industrial applications like construction, agriculture, and animal feeds. Lignin producers have realized a significant number of commercialized as well as potential applications for different lignin-based materials including vanillin, carbon fiber, phenols, and bio-materials which can be further processed to be used as binders & adhesives, dispersants, aromatics, etc.

In the wake of the pandemic, the lignin market witnessed a decline of -1.3% in the year 2020. Different end-use industries have experienced different degrees of impact of the pandemic. For instance, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the construction industry hard, causing unimaginable disruption and losses for the stakeholders. Increased use of oil-based alternatives driven by low oil prices and reduced construction activities further resulted in the decline of lignin demand in the construction industry.

Based on primary interviews’ results coupled with the study of recovery trajectories of previous downturns, it is anticipated that the market will cross its 2019-sales figure in 2021 only, marking a consistent growth during the forecast period. Overall, the lignin market is likely to rebound at a promising CAGR of 3.1% during 2021-2026 to reach US$ 810 Million in 2026.

Market Segments' Analysis

Based on the end-use industry, the lignin market is segmented as construction, agriculture, animal feed, and others. Construction is expected to remain the largest segment of the market during the forecast period, owing to continuous growth in construction activities across the globe. In addition to that, the increasing demand for lignin in concrete additives is further expected to boost the market growth during the study period.

Based on the product type, the market is segmented as lignosulfonate, kraft lignin, and others. Lignosulfonate is expected to remain the dominant product type in the market during the forecast period. This is primarily due to a wide range of industrial applications for lignosulfonates, such as concrete admixture, dust suppressant and control, animal feed binders, crop protection, and fertilizer production.

In terms of region, Europe is expected to remain the largest market for lignin during the forecast period. The presence of a large number of lignin producers, such as Domsjo Fabriker, Stora Enso, and Borregaard, in Europe, is one of the major factors behind the dominance of the region. Asia-Pacific and North America are also likely to create sizeable opportunities in the coming five years, driven by an expected rebound in the construction industry and a strong expected economic rebound in the near future.

Key Players

The following are the key players in the lignin market.

• The Borregaard Group
• Sappi Limited
• Domtar Corporation
• Domsjo Fabriker (Part of Aditya Birla Group)
• Stora Enso
• Ingevity

Research Methodology

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s lignin market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2021 to 2026. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate the growth strategies to expedite their growth process.

This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools. More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data. We conducted more than 10 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Product portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

The lignin market is segmented into the following categories.

Lignin Market, by End-Use Industry

• Construction (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Agriculture (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Animal Feed (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Lignin Market, by Product Type

• Lignosulfonate (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Kraft Lignin (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Lignin Market, by Region

• North America (Country Analysis: USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, Italy, the UK, Russia, and Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China, India, Japan, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa)