PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1888130
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1888130
Circular economy chemicals refer to chemicals that are designed, produced, and used within a sustainable system that emphasizes reuse, recycling, and regeneration of materials to minimize waste and environmental impact. They enable a closed-loop lifecycle for chemical products, reducing resource extraction, extending product lifespan, and promoting eco-efficient manufacturing.
The key product types of circular economy chemicals are recycled chemicals, bio-based chemicals, reusable chemicals, and others. Recycled chemicals are chemical substances recovered and regenerated from waste materials through processes such as chemical recycling, depolymerization, or purification. They are sourced from post-consumer waste, industrial waste, renewable feedstock, and others. These chemicals find applications in packaging, automotive, construction, electronics, textiles, and other sectors, serving end-use industries such as industrial, consumer goods, healthcare, agriculture, and others.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The intensifying U.S. tariffs and escalating trade tensions in spring 2025 are expected to have a significant impact on the chemicals sector, which is bearing a disproportionate burden, particularly from tariffs on petrochemicals and intermediates, where affordable domestic substitutes are often unavailable. Producers of specialty chemicals, heavily dependent on Chinese raw materials, are experiencing production disruptions. At the same time, fertilizer manufacturers are seeing profit margins eroded due to tariffs on phosphate imports. In response, companies are ramping up R&D into bio-based alternatives, forming procurement alliances to consolidate buying power, and shifting production to tariff-neutral nations such as Saudi Arabia.
The circular economy chemicals market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides circular economy chemicals market statistics, including circular economy chemicals industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a circular economy chemicals market share, detailed circular economy chemicals market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the circular economy chemicals industry. This circular economy chemicals 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 circular economy chemicals market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $88.66 billion in 2024 to $103.12 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising environmental regulations, increasing corporate commitments, growing demand for recycled materials, high production costs of virgin chemicals, and industrial waste management initiatives.
The circular economy chemicals market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $186.36 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expanding bio-based chemical production, adoption of circular economy policies, rising consumer preference for sustainable products, and increasing investment in renewable feedstock. Key trends in the forecast period include the integration of advanced recycling technologies, a shift towards bio-based and reusable chemicals, adoption of eco-friendly packaging solutions, increasing collaboration between industries for material recovery, and digitalization in chemical supply chain management.
The rising demand for sustainable products is expected to drive the growth of the circular economy chemicals market going forward. Sustainable products are goods created and used responsibly to minimize environmental impact and promote long-term resource efficiency. This demand is driven by growing environmental awareness, as consumers increasingly prefer products that reduce ecological impact and promote resource conservation. Circular economy chemicals support this demand by enabling the production of recyclable, reusable, and eco-friendly materials that minimize waste and environmental impact. For example, in July 2025, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, a UK-based government organization, the recycling rate for household waste (including incinerator bottom ash metal) reached 44.6% in 2023, up from 44.1% in 2022. Thus, the rising demand for sustainable products is fueling the growth of the circular economy chemicals market.
Key companies in the circular economy chemicals market are focusing on integrating circular economy principles into their business models to enhance sustainability, secure raw material supplies, and meet evolving regulatory and consumer demands. Circular economy principles refer to concepts aimed at eliminating waste, keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible, and regenerating natural systems. For example, in November 2023, Evonik Industries AG, a Germany-based specialty chemicals company, launched a comprehensive circular economy program. This strategic initiative is structured around four key pillars: green products, circular products, new circular technologies, and circular infrastructure. The program includes ambitious targets, such as generating over €1 billion in additional sales from circular solutions by 2030 and using sustainable raw materials for half of its production in key growth areas such as healthcare and animal nutrition.
In July 2025, Veolia Environnement S.A., a France-based environmental management company, acquired Chameleon Industries Inc. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Veolia aims to expand its circular economy capabilities in North America by recovering and repurposing semiconductor manufacturing byproducts, reducing waste, and providing sustainable chemical solutions for advanced industries. Chameleon Industries Inc. is a US-based specialty chemical manufacturing company focused on producing circular economy solutions.
Major players in the circular economy chemicals market are TotalEnergies SE, BASF SE, Unilever PLC, Repsol SA, Veolia Environnement S.A., Dow Inc., LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC), Neste Oyj, INEOS Group Limited, Covestro AG, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, Braskem S.A., Eastman Chemical Company, Solvay S.A., Carbios S.A., GreenMantra Technologies, Plastic Energy Limited, Loop Industries Inc., and Agilyx Corporation.
Europe was the largest region in the circular economy chemicals market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in circular economy chemicals report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the circular economy chemicals market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The circular economy chemicals market consists of sales of bioplastics, recycled plastics, bio-based solvents, green surfactants, biodegradable polymers, recycled metals, sustainable packaging materials, and renewable fibers. 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.
Circular Economy Chemicals Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on circular economy chemicals market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for circular economy chemicals ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The circular economy chemicals market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.