Water Soluble Polymers Market

Market Overview

Water-soluble polymers are organic compounds that can dissolve, disperse or swell in water which changes its physical properties. They can make water thicker, form gels or help mix different substances together. These polymers are useful in cleaning products, particularly for tough stains, hard water and at moderate temperatures. Beyond cleaning, they also serve several functions such as dispersing particles, suspending materials, thickening liquids, stabilizing mixtures, forming films, binding ingredients, keeping things moist and providing lubrication in water-based systems. Because of these versatile properties, water-soluble polymers are widely used in industries such as water treatment, food and beverages, personal care, oil and gas, paper production and pharmaceuticals around the world. The growth in water-soluble polymer market is driven by their increasing use in various applications such as drilling which is enhancing oil recovery, mining, wastewater treatment and food processing. The rising demand for these polymers as stabilizers, thickeners, film formers, emulsifiers, rheology modifiers, lubricants and conditioners will further boost the market. Additionally, the expanding use of water-soluble polymers in different areas such as household products, construction, detergents, personal care items, food, paints and coatings, and pharmaceuticals is likely to increase demand. Moreover, the growing use of polyvinyl alcohol in green packaging which is supported by government initiatives is also contribute to market growth. The favorable properties of these polymer such as quick-drying, mild odor, flammability resistance and eco-friendliness are expected to drive further demand of water-soluble polymer market.

Water Soluble Polymers Market Size

Report	Details
Market Size Value	USD 36.82 Billion in 2023
Market Size Value	USD 55.4 Billion by 2030
CAGR	5.0%
Forecast Period	2023-2030
Base Year	2023
Historic Data	2020

Major vendors in the global water-soluble polymers market are Nitta Gelatin Inc. (Japan), BASF SE (Germany), SNF SAS (France), Kuraray Group (Japan), Arkema SA (France), Ashland Inc. (U.S.), DuPont (U.S.), LG Chem (South Korea), The Dow Chemical Company (U.S.), and Others.

Rising environmental concerns and regulations

The increasing awareness about environmental sustainability and stringent regulatory norms are significant drivers for the water-soluble polymers market. Governments and regulatory bodies worldwide are implementing strict regulations to curb environmental pollution, particularly in water bodies. For instance, the European Union’s Water Framework Directive aims to protect water resources and enhance the quality of water bodies across Europe. This has led to an increased demand for water-soluble polymers in water treatment applications as water-soluble polymers are effective in removing contaminants and pollutants. For example, the use of polyacrylamide in wastewater treatment plants to enhance the flocculation and coagulation processes which thereby improving the efficiency of water purification. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has stringent regulations on industrial effluent discharge which is promoting the use of water-soluble polymers in industrial wastewater management. These polymers help industries comply with regulations by effectively treating wastewater before discharge, thus minimizing environmental impact. The growing focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly solutions is further propelling the demand for water-soluble polymers which is making them a vital component in achieving environmental goals.

Market Dynamics

Drivers:

• Growing oil and gas industry
• Rising environmental concerns and regulations
• Growth in the pharmaceutical industry

Opportunities:

• Expansion in emerging markets
• Increasing demand in personal care and hygiene products
• Growth in the biodegradable polymers segment

Expansion in emerging markets

Emerging markets present a significant growth opportunity for the water-soluble polymers market. Countries such as Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Africa are experiencing rapid industrialization and urbanization which is leading to growing demand for water treatment solutions, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. For example, in India, the government's focus on improving sanitation and access to clean water through initiatives such as the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) is driving the demand for water-soluble polymers. These polymers are essential in the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater which is helping to meet the rising demand for clean water. In China, the booming pharmaceutical industry coupled with growing environmental regulations which is also further boosting the market for water-soluble polymers. The Chinese government's stringent policies on industrial effluent discharge and the need for efficient water management systems in industries are promoting the use of these polymers. Furthermore, the expanding middle-class population in emerging markets is increasing the demand for personal care and hygiene products, which often incorporate water-soluble polymers for their functional benefits. The growing awareness and adoption of sustainable products in these regions also present lucrative opportunities for market players to introduce innovative and eco-friendly water-soluble polymers.

The market for wate- soluble polymers market is dominated by Asia-Pacific.

By analysing the water-soluble polymers market globally across various country like North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA in which Asia-Pacific holds the largest market share during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increased environmental awareness and investments from both private and government sectors aimed at preventing ecological damage. For instance, China's 14th five-year plan (2021-2025) includes an additional USD 18.5 billion investment in rural wastewater treatment systems which is following an USD 80.7 billion investment in municipal systems during their 13th five-year plan (2015-2020). As a major producer and consumer of water-soluble polymers, China will see increasing demand for polymers like polyacrylamide, which is commonly used for flocculating and coagulating in wastewater treatment which is due to the anticipated expansion of the wastewater treatment industry.

North America is expected to see significant growth due to increased demand from the oil and gas industry. This demand is primarily driven by needs in drilling, well completion, production and enhanced oil recovery. As fracking technology continues to advance in the U.S. and enhanced oil recovery is expected to play a huge role in oil and gas extraction which is further boosting market growth. The growing use of polymers, which provides greater customization compared to other injection fluids used in enhanced oil recovery that is anticipated to drive market growth.

The water treatment segment is anticipated to hold the largest market share during the forecast period

The global market is categorized by end-user industry into pharmaceutical, pulp and paper, oil and gas, personal care and hygiene, food and beverage, water treatment and others in which water treatment segment held the largest market share. This segment is expected to grow significantly due to increasing environmental concerns and stricter regulations in countries such as the U.S., China, Germany, and the U.K. regulatory pressures will drive substantial growth in this sector over the coming years. Rules about drinking water quality and wastewater discharge are boosting the use of synthetic polymers in water treatment.

The oil and gas sector are expected to grow at highest rate over the forecast period. The growth is driven by the increase in shale gas production in countries such as the U.S., Canada, Mexico, China, Australia, Africa, Argentina, and Brazil. Additionally, the rise in drilling and completion activities in the U.S., UK, Brazil, China and Canada is expected to further expand the market. The growing pharmaceutical industry in the U.S., China and India is also anticipated to provide significant growth opportunities.

Major segmentations are distributed as follows:

• By Type:
  • Polyvinyl Alcohol, Polyacrylamide
  • Guar Gum
  • Gelatin
  • Polyacrylic Glycol
  • Xanthan Gum
• By Raw Material Types:
  • Synthetic
  • Natural
  • Semi-Synthetic
• By End-User Industry:
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Pulp and Paper
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personal Care and Hygiene
  • Food and Beverage
  • Water Treatment
  • Others
• By Region
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Mexico
    • Argentina
    • Colombia
    • Chile
    • Peru
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • U.K.
    • BENELUX
    • CIS & Russia
    • Nordics
    • Austria
    • Poland
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific

• • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • India
  • Thailand
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Vietnam
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Rest of Asia Pacific

• • Middle East & Africa

• • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Nigeria
  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • Turkey
  • Rest of MEA

 Recent Developments

• January 2024, SNF Group announced plans to expand their production in Oman with the investment of $250 million in the project. The company aims to open a new regional Technical Centre in Muscat later in the year. This facility will act as a research and development hub for the Gulf region which will be showcasing SNF's dedication to advancing polymer technology and supporting its clients with top-notch expertise.
• August 2022, BASF collaborated with Nippon Paint China, the world's leading paint manufacturer, to introduce eco-friendly industrial packaging. Nippon Paint has used this new packaging for its dry mixed mortar products. The innovative packaging features BASF's water-based acrylic dispersion, Joncryl High-Performance Barrier (HPB), as the key barrier material.
• March 2022, Kemira strengthened its role as a leading supplier of eco-friendly chemical solutions for industries that depend on water by starting the world's first large-scale production of its new bio-based polymers. Helsinki Region Environmental Services (HSY) was the first to receive these polymers for testing at one of their wastewater treatment plants.

    Answers to following key questions:

• What will be the water-soluble polymers market ’s trends & growth rate? What analysis has been done of the prices, sales, and volume of the top producers in the water-soluble polymers market?
• What are the main forces behind worldwide water-soluble polymers market? Which companies dominate water-soluble polymers market?
• Which companies dominate water-soluble polymers market? Which business possibilities, dangers, and tactics did they embrace in the market?
• What are the global insight engines industry's suppliers' opportunities and dangers in water-soluble polymers market?
• What is the insight engines industry's regional sales, income, and pricing analysis? In the water-soluble polymers market, who are the distributors, traders, and resellers?
• What are the main geographic areas for various trades that are anticipated to have astounding expansion over the water-soluble polymers market?
• What are the main geographical areas for various industries that are anticipated to observe astounding expansion for water-soluble polymers market?
• What are the dominant revenue-generating regions for water-soluble polymers market, as well as regional growth trends?
• By the end of the forecast period, what will the market size and growth rate be?
• What are the main water-soluble polymers market trends that are influencing the market's expansion?
• Which key product categories dominate water-soluble polymers market? What is water-soluble polymers market ’s main applications?
• In the coming years, which water-soluble polymers market technology will dominate the market?