Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) Market Report 2025

The carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $1.75 billion in 2024 to $1.83 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to emergence of biomedical applications, demand in food and beverage industry, growth in pharmaceutical sector, expanding cosmetics and personal care industry, textile, and paper industries.

The carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.29 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to water treatment solutions, innovations in the printing industry, rise in adhesive formulations, construction material needs, oil and gas sector requirements. Major trends in the forecast period include demand for natural and clean label ingredients, focus on health and wellness products, eco-friendly cosmetics and personal care, advancements in textile and paper industries, enhanced drilling fluids in oil and gas.

The growth in pharmaceutical production is expected to drive the expansion of the carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) market. Pharmaceutical production involves manufacturing a range of products, including medications, vaccines, and other medical treatments. CMC is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations for its ability to enhance viscosity and stabilize emulsions, making it suitable for oral, ophthalmic, injectable, and topical applications. For example, in July 2024, Eurostat, a Belgium-based governing body, reported that pharmaceutical production in the EU rose from €36 billion ($39.4 billion) in 2021 to €44 billion ($46.7 billion) in 2023, demonstrating substantial growth in the industry. Thus, the rise in pharmaceutical production is fueling the demand for CMC.

The burgeoning food and beverage industry is poised to significantly bolster the carboxymethylcellulose market. This industry encompasses the entire spectrum from production to distribution of food and drink products. Carboxymethylcellulose’s versatility in enhancing texture and stability in various food and beverage items positions it as a valuable ingredient, contributing to the growth of the CMC market. For example, Statistics Sweden reported a 2.9% growth, reaching $29.85 billion (SEK 334 billion) in revenue from food and beverage sales in September 2022. This growth stemmed from a 2.5% rise in sales volume and a 0.4% increase in food and beverage prices. Therefore, the thriving food and beverage industry is a significant driver of the carboxymethylcellulose market.

Leading companies in the carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) market are actively pursuing business expansion through the establishment of new entities to boost production capabilities and meet rising demand across multiple industries. Establishing new companies involves creating and officially registering a business, detailing its structure, purpose, and operational strategy. For instance, in February 2023, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., a Japan-based manufacturing company, announced the launch of a manufacturing and sales subsidiary in Hungary for its CMC product, branded as SUNROSE MAC. This high-performance CMC additive plays a critical role in the coating process for lithium-ion battery (LiB) anodes, particularly in enhancing the safety and performance of LiBs by providing a uniform coating surface. This capability is highly valued by LiB manufacturers for applications in electric vehicles (EVs), consumer electronics such as smartphones and PCs, and renewable energy storage systems.

Facility expansion stands as a prevailing trend within the carboxymethylcellulose market, with manufacturers focusing on scaling up to meet market demands. Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., in February 2023, announced the establishment of a manufacturing and sales subsidiary in Hungary for Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC), targeting operations to commence by December 2024. This strategic investment anticipates generating around $53.84 million (50 million euros) in sales revenue and creating approximately 60 jobs at full operational capacity.

In June 2022, Nouryon, a Netherlands-based diversified chemical company, acquired the CMC Business of J.M. Huber Corporation for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition expands Nouryon's CMC portfolio by providing high-quality products to customers in home and personal care, buildings, infrastructure, food, pharmaceuticals, and packaging. J.M. Huber Corporation is a US-based chemical company that manufactures offering ingredients such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), specialty aluminas and oxides, and alumina trihydrate.

Major companies operating in the carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) market include Ashland Global Holding Inc., DKS Co. Ltd., Daicel Corporation, Amtex Corp., Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Akzo Nobel NV, CP Kelco US Inc., The Dow Chemical Company, Lamberti SPA, Mikro-Technik GmbH & Co. KG, Zibo Hailan Chemical Co. Ltd., Chongqing Lihong Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd., Ugur Seluloz Kimya AS, Amar Cellulose Industries, Foodchem International Corporation, Jining Fortune Biotech Co.Ltd., Anqiu Eagle Cellulose Co. Ltd., Wealthy Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., Shanghai Shenguang Edible Chemicals Co. Ltd., Xuzhou Liyuan Cellulose Technology Co. Ltd., Changzhou Science & Technology Co., J.M. Huber Corporation, Quimica Amtex y Amtex Chemicals LLC, Formitex Empreendimentos e Participacoes Ltda, Carlyle Investment Management LLC, Shandong Head Co. Ltd., Lucid Colloids Ltd., Ningbo Rongcheng Chemical Co. Ltd., DuPont Inc., Nouryon Chemicals Co. Ltd.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) market in 2024 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the carboxymethylcellulose (cmc) market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the carboxymethylcellulose (cmc) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) stands as an acid ether derivative derived from cellulose, comprising glucopyranose monomers and predominantly found in its sodium salt form. Its versatility extends across multiple formats such as powders, granules, and gels, tailored to suit specific applications. Primarily utilized as a viscosity regulator and for stabilizing emulsions, CMC boasts various grades, high purity, industrial, and technical. High purity denotes an unadulterated composition, ensuring uniformity and absence of additional elements.

This compound exhibits a range of properties, serving as a thickening agent, stabilizer, binder, anti-repository agent, lubricator, emulsifier, and excipient. Its widespread applications encompass industries such as food and beverages, oil and gas, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents, and paper processing, catering to diverse needs within these sectors.

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

The carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) market consists of sales of anionic carboxymethylcellulose, water-soluble carboxymethylcellulose, and cellulose derivative carboxymethylcellulose. 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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