Rheology Modifiers Market Report 2026

The rheology modifiers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $8.89 billion in 2025 to $9.35 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of construction and coatings industry, growth of cosmetic and personal care products, increasing demand for formulation consistency, rising use of additives in industrial applications, availability of diverse thickening agents.

The rheology modifiers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $11.53 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of sustainable formulation ingredients, rising demand for high-performance coatings, expansion of specialty chemical applications, growing focus on bio-based rheology modifiers, increasing investments in formulation innovation. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for advanced viscosity control solutions, rising use in water-based formulations, growing adoption in paints and coatings, expansion of clean-label cosmetic products, enhanced focus on formulation stability.

The expanding paints and coatings industry is expected to drive the growth of the rheology modifiers market going forward. The paints and coatings industry encompasses the production, distribution, and application of paints, coatings, and related products. Rheology modifiers are incorporated into paint and coating formulations to enhance their flow properties, controlling viscosity, thixotropy, and sag resistance, which ensures ease of application and a consistent finish. For example, in January 2024, according to the World Paint and Coatings Industry Association, a Belgium-based international non-profit organization, the global paint and coatings market reached $185.5 billion in 2023, representing a 3.2% increase compared to 2022. Thus, growth in the paints and coatings sector is propelling the rheology modifiers market.

Leading companies in the rheology modifier market are concentrating on sustainable solutions, such as biodegradable rheology modifiers, to secure a competitive edge. A biodegradable rheology modifier is a substance that modifies the flow and viscosity of materials while being environmentally friendly, as it can decompose naturally without leaving harmful residues. For instance, in February 2023, Clariant AG, a Switzerland-based chemicals firm, launched Aristoflex Eco T, a biodegradable rheology modifier intended for use in skincare formulations. Sourced from the Tara Spinosa plant in the Peruvian Andes, it is derived from Tara gum. This ingredient provides a luxurious texture and stability comparable to traditional synthetic polymers while remaining environmentally friendly. It enables formulators to create high-performance products such as facial creams, body lotions, and sun care items, catering to the increasing demand for sustainable and effective skincare solutions.

In July 2024, Tate & Lyle PLC, a UK-based food and beverage company, acquired CP Kelco for $1.8 billion. This acquisition aligns with Tate & Lyle's strategic shift toward healthier, clean-label ingredients in response to rising consumer concerns about sugar content and lengthy ingredient lists in food products. CP Kelco is a US-based manufacturer specializing in ingredients, including rheology modifiers.

Major companies operating in the rheology modifiers market are BASF SE, Arkema S.A., Evonik Industries AG, Clariant AG, Dow Inc., Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Lubrizol Corporation, Solvay S.A., Croda International Plc, Cabot Corporation, Elementis plc, BYK-Chemie GmbH, Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V., Huntsman Corporation, Wacker Chemie AG, LANXESS AG, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Allnex Belgium SA/NV, Celanese Corporation.

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

The rheology modifiers market consists of sales of synthetic thickeners, associate thickeners, clay-based modifiers, silica-based modifiers, and others. 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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