Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Market Report 2026

The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.82 billion in 2025 to $5.16 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of pharmaceutical manufacturing, growth of construction chemical applications, rising use in food thickening agents, established demand in cosmetic formulations, availability of cellulose-based raw materials.

The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.63 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable excipients, rising investments in advanced drug formulations, expansion of green construction materials, growing focus on plant-based ingredients, increasing adoption in specialty coatings. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for pharmaceutical-grade cellulose ethers, rising use in controlled drug delivery systems, growing adoption in construction additives, expansion of clean-label food ingredients, enhanced focus on biodegradable polymers.

The rise in the construction sector is expected to drive the growth of the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) market. Construction involves building, repairing, designing, and planning structures using various engineering techniques to improve infrastructure and buildings. HPMC is used in construction as a water-retaining agent and cement mortar retarder, making mortar pumpable, preventing cracking from rapid drying, and enhancing structural strength. For instance, in February 2024, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, average annual building production in the EU and eurozone increased by 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively, compared to 2022. Therefore, growth in the construction sector is boosting the HPMC market.

Major companies in the HPMC market are focusing on innovative products such as Low Nitrite METHOCEL HPMC to gain a competitive advantage. Low Nitrite METHOCEL HPMC is a modified hydroxypropyl methylcellulose that significantly reduces nitrosamine formation risk in pharmaceutical formulations while maintaining the binder, film-forming, and formulation flexibility of traditional HPMC. For instance, in November 2025, Roquette, a France-based food and pharma ingredients company, launched Low Nitrite METHOCEL HPMC. This grade ensures nitrite levels remain at or below 200 parts per billion, supporting safer and more reliable tablet formulations for controlled-release and moisture-sensitive drugs.

In May 2025, Univar Solutions, a U.S.-based specialty ingredients distributor, entered into an exclusive European partnership with Shandong Head Group for the distribution of cellulose ethers and pharmaceutical excipients, including HPMC. This partnership enables Univar Solutions to expand its European market reach and regulatory support while providing high-quality cellulose ethers from Shandong Head, a China-based manufacturer supplying HPMC for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, and industrial applications.

Major companies operating in the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market are Celotech Chemical Co Ltd., Zhejiang Kelain New Materials Co Ltd., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd, Ashland Global Specialty Chemicals Inc, DuPont de Nemours Inc, Colorcon Inc, Lotte Fine Chemical Co Ltd, Shandong Head Co Ltd, Shijiazhuang Shangdun Cellulose Co Ltd, Fenchem Biotek Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Paramount Chemical & Acid Corporation, Madhu Hydrocolloids Pvt. Ltd., Dow Chemical Company, Samsung Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Kehong Chemical Co. Ltd., China Ruitai International Holdings Co. Ltd., Kingstone Chemical Holdings Co. Ltd., SE Tylose GmbH & Co. KG, Daicel FineChem Ltd., Anhui Shanhe Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., Changzhou Guoyu Environmental S&T Co. Ltd., J. Rettenmaier & Söhne GmbH + Co KG, Shanxi Sanwei Group Co. Ltd.

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

The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market consists of sales of hypromellose 2208 (K chemistry or grade) and hypromellose 2910 (E chemistry or grade). 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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