Cellulose Derivatives Market Report 2025

This Cellulose Derivatives market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the market’s characteristics, size, and growth, including segmentation, regional and country-level breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends, and strategies. It also tracks historical and forecasted market growth across various geographies.

The cellulose derivatives market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.31 billion in 2024 to $6.82 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products, increasing usage in the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and personal care industries, a favorable regulatory landscape promoting the use of cellulose derivatives, and awareness about the benefits of cellulose derivatives in various applications.

The cellulose derivatives market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.18 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the expansion of the pharmaceutical and personal care industries, the adoption of cellulose derivatives in novel applications such as 3D printing and biodegradable packaging, emerging markets witnessing rapid urbanization and industrialization, and innovations in manufacturing processes improving cost-efficiency. Major trends in the forecast period include consolidation via mergers and acquisitions, the development of advanced cellulose derivatives, a surge in cellulose ethers for thickening and stabilizing, rising demand for microcrystalline cellulose in pharma, and the adoption of cellulose esters in specialty coatings and films.

The growing demand for pharmaceuticals and personal care products is expected to drive the expansion of the cellulose derivatives market. This rise in demand is attributed to increasing health awareness, aging populations, and advancements in medical and cosmetic technologies. Cellulose derivatives are commonly used in pharmaceuticals and personal care products as thickeners, stabilizers, and excipients, enhancing the texture, stability, and delivery of active ingredients. For example, in June 2023, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations reported that pharmaceutical production reached approximately $374.0 billion in 2022, up from $356.35 billion in 2021. Additionally, in September 2023, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a US government agency, revealed that average consumer spending on personal care products increased by 12.3%, reaching $866 in 2022, compared to $771 in 2021. Therefore, the growing demand for pharmaceuticals and personal care products is driving the growth of the cellulose derivatives market.

Major companies in the cellulose derivatives market are focusing on innovative and sustainable solutions, such as cellulose thickeners, to address environmental concerns and meet the rising demand for eco-friendly products across industries. Cellulose thickeners enhance viscosity and stability in various products, including food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. For example, Nouryon launched Bermocoll flow cellulose ethers in April 2022, offering improved sag resistance, leveling, spatter resistance, and hiding compared to standard thickeners in paint systems. This water-soluble product is particularly suitable for low-VOC paint formulations and airless spray applications, providing a natural and sustainable option for interior and exterior decorative paints.

In September 2022, Roquette acquired Crest Cellulose Pvt. Ltd. to strengthen its presence in the cellulose derivatives market and enhance its offerings for the pharmaceutical and personal care industries. Crest Cellulose Pvt. Ltd., based in India, specializes in producing cellulose derivatives for various applications in these sectors.

Major companies operating in the cellulose derivatives market are The Dow Chemical Company, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Akzo Nobel N.V., Eastman Chemical Company, Celanese Corporation, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Sappi Limited, Nouryon, SNF Group, Daicel Corporation, Ashland Global Holdings Inc, Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc, LOTTE Fine Chemical Co. Ltd, Viscofan, CP Kelco ApS, Lamberti SpA, Yueyang Xingchang Petrochemical Co Ltd, DKS Co Ltd, Shandong Head Co Ltd, J RETTENMAIER & SÖHNE GmbH + Co KG, Reliance Cellulose Products Ltd, SE Tylose GmbH & Co KG, Hangzhou Dayangchem Co Ltd.

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

Cellulose derivatives are compounds derived from cellulose through chemical modifications, aimed at enhancing or altering its properties for various applications. These derivatives offer improved processability and functionality, making them ideal for creating environmentally friendly products that are biodegradable and non-toxic.

The main types of cellulose derivatives include methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), carboxymethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), ethyl cellulose, among others. Methyl cellulose, for instance, is utilized in pharmaceuticals as a thickener, emulsifier, and binder in tablet formulations. These derivatives are further categorized into grades such as Industrial Grade, Food Grade, and Pharmaceutical Grade, catering to end-users such as the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, personal care sector, construction industry, paint industry, and more.

The cellulose derivatives market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides cellulose derivatives market statistics, including cellulose derivatives industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an cellulose derivatives market share, detailed cellulose derivatives market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cellulose derivatives industry. This cellulose derivatives 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 cellulose derivatives market consists of sales of cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), cellulose acetate propionate (CAP), and cellulose nitrate. 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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