Cellulose Esters and Ethers Market Report 2025

This Cellulose Esters and Ethers market report covers market characteristics, size & growth, segmentation, regional & country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.

The cellulose esters and ethers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.69 billion in 2024 to $7.25 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased coating and paint industry, increased pharmaceutical applications, growing demand for food and beverage industry, increasing plastics and polymers sector, and growth of the textile industry.

The cellulose esters and ethers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $10.27 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to emerging market growth, increasing research and development, growing specialty applications, increasing healthcare infrastructure, and increasing need for water-based formulations. Major trends in the forecast period include sustainable materials production, introduction of innovative solutions, technological advancements, and development of customized products.

The expansion of the personal care industry is fueling the growth of the cellulose esters and ethers market. Cellulose esters and ethers are utilized in personal care products such as body lotions, shampoos, face creams, and cold creams due to their excellent binding, thickening, stabilizing, and moisturizing properties. For example, in May 2023, a special State of Fashion report released by McKinsey & Company, a U.S.-based management consulting firm, indicated that in 2022, the beauty market, which includes skincare, fragrance, makeup, and haircare, generated approximately $430 billion in revenue. This market is projected to grow at an annual rate of around 6 percent, reaching about $580 billion by 2027. Therefore, the growth of the personal care industry is driving the expansion of the cellulose esters and ethers market.

The flourishing food and beverage industry is anticipated to drive the growth of the cellulose esters and ethers market in the years ahead. This industry encompasses a broad array of activities, including the preparation, packaging, and marketing of raw food products, as well as the production of consumer food items. It serves various retail outlets, such as grocery stores, restaurants, cafeterias, fast-food chains, pubs, delis, and more. Within the food and beverage sector, cellulose esters and ethers are utilized as thickening agents, stabilizers, emulsifiers, and binding agents. They are also employed in the manufacturing of baked goods, frozen meals, and beverages to enhance consistency, moisture retention, and shelf life. For example, a report from FoodDrinkEurope, a food industry confederation in the European Union, stated that the EU food and drink industry turnover reached €1.12 trillion ($1,185.74 billion) in 2022, an increase from €1.09 trillion ($1,157 billion) in 2021. Thus, the rising demand for food and beverages is contributing to the growth of the cellulose esters and ethers market. Consequently, the thriving food and beverage sector is significantly impacting the cellulose esters and ethers market.

The evolution of innovative products is influencing the cellulose esters and ethers market. Technological advancements and the growing trend in cellulose esters and ethers technology are further driving market demand. For example, in January 2023, Eastman Chemical Company, a U.S.-based chemical firm, introduced a range of cellulose esters designed to enhance sustainability and performance across various applications, such as personal care and coatings. This product line emphasizes improving formulation performance while ensuring eco-friendly characteristics.

Major players in the cellular M2M market are strategically collaborating to enhance their offerings and better serve their existing consumer base. One notable example is the collaboration between Eastman Chemical Company and MYKITA GmbH. Eastman Chemical Company, a US-based manufacturer of cellulose acetate and other chemicals, collaborated with MYKITA GmbH to exclusively provide Eastman Acetate Renew, a more sustainable cellulose acetate, for the manufacture of MYKITA's eyewear. This partnership marks a significant shift in the eyewear industry towards sustainable materials, representing the first comprehensive move in this direction. The collaboration, announced in March 2022, is part of both companies' ongoing efforts to reduce their environmental impact. MYKITA GmbH, based in Germany, is a high-end eyewear manufacturer.

In 2021, Tokyo-based Polyplastics Co., Ltd., a manufacturer and seller of various polymers and plastics, made a strategic acquisition by purchasing Daicel-Evonik Ltd. for an undisclosed amount. This move allows Polyplastics Co., Ltd. to broaden its product portfolio and foster collaboration with Evonik Industries AG for business growth and synergies. Daicel-Evonik Ltd., headquartered in Germany, specializes in the development of high-quality, high-performance polymers, including cellulose esters and ethers, along with Polyamide 12 and PEEK. The acquisition reflects Polyplastics Co., Ltd.'s commitment to strategic expansion and innovation in the polymer and plastics industry.

Major companies operating in the cellulose esters and ethers market include Borregaard Group., Rayonier Advanced materials, Celanese Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, Nouryon, Ashland Inc., Daicel Corporation, Dow Inc., Sappi Limited, Lamberti S.p.A, Asha Cellulose pvt ltd., Sichuan Push Acetati Co.Ltd., J.M. Huber Corporation, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Akzo Nobel N.V., Rhodia Acetow International GmbH, Shandong Head Group Co Ltd., Lotte Group., Mikem Chemical, ChemPoint inc., CP Kelco U.S. Inc., Sichem LLC, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Solvay SA., China Ruitai International Holdings Co Ltd., Huzhou Zhanwang Pharmaceutical Co Ltd.

Cellulose esters and ethers encompass water-soluble polymers derived from cellulose, finding extensive use in various industries. These polymers are widely employed as thickening agents in the paint industry and serve as thickeners in the food and beverage sector. More recently, they have also found applications in the pharmaceutical and cigarette industries.

The primary types of cellulose esters and ethers include cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, and hydroxypropyl cellulose. Cellulose acetate, also known as a synthetic compound, is derived from the acetylation of the plant substance cellulose. It is commonly used in the textile industry for producing fibers, known by various names such as acetate rayon, acetate, or triacetate. Various methods, including the kraft process and sulfite process, can be employed to process cellulose esters and ethers. These polymers find applications in diverse industries, including food and beverages, oil and gas, paper and board, paints and adhesives, detergents, and others.

The cellulose esters and ethers market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cellulose esters and ethers market statistics, including cellulose esters and ethers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cellulose esters and ethers market share, detailed cellulose esters and ethers market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cellulose esters and ethers industry. This cellulose esters and ethers 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.

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

The countries covered in the Cellulose Esters and Ethers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA.

The cellulose esters and ethers market consists of sales of carboxymethylcellulose CMC, hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) and hydroxylpropylcellulose (HPC). 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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