Ethyl Cellulose Market Report 2026

The ethyl cellulose market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $0.96 billion in 2025 to $1.04 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity, rising use of excipients in drug formulations, growth of processed food consumption, increasing demand for specialty polymers, availability of cellulose-based raw materials.

The ethyl cellulose market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.47 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for modified release drug formulations, rising focus on sustainable and bio-based polymers, expansion of nutraceutical and functional food production, increasing use in advanced industrial coatings, technological improvements in cellulose modification processes. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of controlled-release film formulations, rising demand for clean-label food coatings, growing adoption in pharmaceutical tablet coatings, expansion of industrial coating applications, enhanced focus on high-purity cellulose derivatives.

The expansion of the plastics industry is expected to drive the growth of the ethyl cellulose market going forward. The plastics industry includes the production, development, and manufacturing of plastic materials and products used across sectors such as packaging, automotive, construction, electronics, and healthcare. Growth in this industry is supported by large-scale synthetic polymer production and the increasing use of plastics in packaging, especially for consumer goods and food products, due to their versatility, durability, and cost efficiency, alongside a growing focus on sustainability and recycling innovations. Ethyl cellulose is widely used in the plastics industry as a binder, film former, and thickening agent for protective and decorative finishes, as well as in coatings, adhesives, and sealants. For example, in July 2025, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, a UK-based government agency, the seven largest retailers in England sold a combined total of 164 million single-use plastic bags between 2023 and 2024, representing a 6% increase compared with the previous year. Therefore, the continued expansion of the plastics industry is contributing to the growth of the ethyl cellulose market.

Leading companies operating in the ethyl cellulose market are focusing on developing innovative solutions such as integrated controlled-release excipient platforms to address the growing demand for advanced drug delivery systems that enhance patient compliance and precisely control active pharmaceutical ingredient release. Controlled-release excipient platforms integrate complementary polymer excipients with formulation expertise and technical support, enabling accurate control over the timing and location of drug release. Compared with immediate-release formulations, these systems reduce dosing frequency and improve therapeutic outcomes. For instance, in May 2024, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF), a US-based specialty ingredients and excipients company, launched its “Timing is Everything” controlled-release platform. This integrated solution is built around METHOCEL, ETHOCEL ethyl cellulose, and POLYOX polymers, allowing pharmaceutical formulators to customize release profiles and improve patient adherence. The platform includes organosoluble ETHOCEL ethyl cellulose with precise specification ranges and consistent ethoxyl functionality for water-insoluble barrier coatings, along with educational resources and expert technical support. It supports applications such as modified-release coatings and taste masking, offering a versatile alternative to conventional polymer excipients.

In April 2023, Apollo Global Management Inc., a US-based asset management company, acquired Univar Solutions Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Apollo aims to accelerate transformation and expansion within the specialty chemicals sector by adopting a customer-focused growth strategy. Univar Solutions Inc. is a US-based company that supplies ethyl cellulose and other specialty chemical products.

Major companies operating in the ethyl cellulose market are Dow Inc., Eastman Chemical Company, Celanese Corporation, Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V., FMC Corporation, Daicel Corporation, Ashland Global Holding Inc., Borregaard AS, Colorcon Inc., Lamberti S.p.A., DKS Co. Ltd., Fenchem Biotek Ltd., Shandong Head Co. Ltd., Huzhou Zhanwang Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., J. Rettenmaier & Söhne GmbH Co KG, SE Tylose GmbH & Co. KG, Scope Ingredients Pvt. Ltd., LOTTE Fine Chemical Co. Ltd., Sidley Chemical Co. Ltd., Asha Cellulose Pvt. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the ethyl cellulose market in 2025. The regions covered in the ethyl cellulose market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the ethyl cellulose market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The ethyl cellulose market consists of sales of standard-grade ethyl cellulose, low-viscosity ethyl cellulose, and aqueous ethyl cellulose. 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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