Specialty Pulp & Paper Chemicals Global Market Report 2024

The specialty pulp and paper chemicals are substances utilized in the production of chemical pulp and to improve the quality and performance of paper. They serve as essential raw materials in the paper manufacturing process.

The primary product categories of specialty pulp and paper chemicals include basic chemicals, functional chemicals, bleaching chemicals, and process chemicals. Basic chemicals are crucial and essential substances that contribute significantly to economic development while enhancing the characteristics of specialty paper and pulp. These chemicals find applications in packaging, labeling, printing, and other sectors, and are distributed through various sales channels, including direct or institutional sales and indirect sales.

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

The specialty pulp & paper chemicals market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $22.49 billion in 2023 to $24.26 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to the increasing demand for specialty papers, a rise in the need for packaging materials, the rapid growth of e-commerce, heightened concerns over food safety, and a focus on efficiency and productivity.

The specialty pulp & paper chemicals market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $32.9 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to sustainability and the circular economy, emerging applications, and market diversification, a growing demand for customized solutions, consumer education, and market awareness, along with an increasing need for high-quality paper products. Major trends in the forecast period include the integration of nanotechnology in papermaking, the utilization of inkjet and digital printing for paper, optimization of recycled fibers, the exploration of functional paper applications, and the integration of digitalization and Industry 4.0.

The anticipated increase in the consumption of recycled paper is set to drive the growth of the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market. Recycled paper involves the reconstitution of paper into new paper, and specialty pulp and paper chemicals play a crucial role in this process by providing a white appearance to the paper and eliminating lignin. For example, the American Forest and Paper Association reported a 3.9% increase in recovered paper consumption at U.S. paper and paperboard mills in 2021. Consequently, the upsurge in recycled paper consumption is a key driver for the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market.

The expanding packaging industry is expected to contribute significantly to the growth of the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market. The packaging industry, responsible for designing, producing, and distributing containers and materials for protecting and transporting goods, relies on specialty pulp and paper chemicals to enhance the strength, durability, and printability of packaging materials. This ensures the protection and visual appeal of products while meeting sustainability and regulatory requirements. According to the State of the Flexible Packaging Industry report by the Flexible Packaging Association in 2022, the U.S. flexible packaging industry's estimated sales reached $39 billion in 2021, up from $34.8 billion in 2020. This underscores the pivotal role of the growing packaging industry in driving the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market.

Investments in the paper industry emerge as a prominent trend in the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market. Major companies are strategically investing in specialty pulp and paper chemicals firms to fortify their market position. In a notable example, Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd., a China-based paper manufacturing company, invested RM 5.4 billion ($1.2 billion) in Malaysia in March 2021 to acquire and expand two pulp and paper mills in Pahang and Selangor.

A strategic partnership approach for new product innovation is being adopted by major companies in the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market. This approach involves leveraging collaborative strengths and resources for mutual benefits. For instance, in July 2023, Marimekko Oyj, a Finland-based textiles company, partnered with Origin by Ocean, a Finland-based algae refining company, to innovate sustainable printing processes in the textile industry. This collaboration aims to use algae-based thickeners, a type of specialty pulp and paper chemical, to replace synthetic chemicals in the textile printing process.

In February 2023, Solenis LLC, a U.S.-based specialty chemicals manufacturer, acquired the paper process chemicals business of Kolb Distribution Ltd., a Switzerland-based company. This strategic acquisition enables Solenis to broaden its product offering and establishes a long-term supply agreement for process chemistries.

Major companies operating in the specialty pulp & paper chemicals market include AkzoNobel NV., Ashland Global Holdings Inc., BASF SE, Buckman Laboratories International Inc., Evonik Industries AG, Smurfit Kappa Group, Mondi Group, Kemira Oyj, SNF Floerger, The Dow Chemical Company, Lee & Man Paper, Nalco Holding Company, Shell Chemicals, Imerys, DowDuPont, Solenis, Ecolab, Huntsman Corporation, Clariant, Wacker Chemie AG, Sappi Limited, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC, Omya International AG, Nippon Paper Industries Co, Buckeye Technologies Inc., Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc., Borregaard ASA, Fibria Celulose SA

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market in 2023. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market share during the forecast period. The regions covered in this specialty pulp and paper chemicals market analysis report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

The countries covered in the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The specialty pulp and paper chemicals market consists of sales of coating chemicals, bleaching & RCF chemicals. 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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