Cellulosic Polymers Global Market Report 2026

Cellulosic polymers are biodegradable materials derived from cellulose, primarily obtained from plant sources, and are used in a wide range of applications such as packaging, textiles, and pharmaceuticals due to their versatile properties. Their benefits include biodegradability, renewability, non-toxicity, and adaptability, making them suitable for various industries while supporting environmental sustainability.

The primary types of cellulosic polymers are cellulose esters and cellulose ethers. Cellulose esters are derived from cellulose, a natural polymer found in plant cell walls. These polymers are used in applications such as paints and coatings, flexible packaging, skincare, print laminations, and others. They are utilized by industries such as food and beverage, building and construction, personal and cosmetic care, medical and pharmaceutical, among 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.

Tariffs have influenced the cellulosic polymers market by increasing costs of imported cellulose derivatives and processing chemicals. These impacts have affected packaging, pharmaceuticals, and personal care applications, particularly in Asia Pacific and Europe. Higher input costs have impacted formulation pricing and supply contracts. At the same time, tariffs have supported domestic cellulose processing and regional polymer manufacturing. This has improved supply security and encouraged local value addition.

The cellulosic polymers market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides cellulosic polymers market statistics, including cellulosic polymers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cellulosic polymers market share, detailed cellulosic polymers market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cellulosic polymers industry. This cellulosic polymers 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 cellulosic polymers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $11.01 billion in 2025 to $12.04 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to availability of cellulose feedstock, packaging industry demand, pharmaceutical formulation usage, construction additive applications, chemical modification technologies.

The cellulosic polymers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.17 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to plastic replacement initiatives, sustainable packaging regulations, growth in personal care products, pharmaceutical manufacturing expansion, bio based material investments. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for biodegradable materials, growing use in sustainable packaging, expansion in pharmaceutical excipients, increased adoption in personal care products, focus on renewable polymer alternatives.

The growing demand for personal care products is expected to drive the expansion of the cellulosic polymer market in the future. Personal care products cover a wide range of items used for hygiene, grooming, and enhancing appearance, including skincare, haircare, oral care, cosmetics, and fragrances. This increasing popularity is fueled by greater consumer awareness of health and wellness, a focus on personal grooming and aesthetics, and the influence of social media trends. Cellulosic polymers are commonly used in personal care products as thickeners, stabilizers, and film-forming agents to improve texture, viscosity, and overall product performance. For example, in July 2024, a report by the British Beauty Council, a UK-based organization, highlighted that the personal care sector contributed £27.2 billion ($30.44 billion) to the UK's GDP in 2023, marking an 11% increase compared to 2022. This growth was attributed to a 10% rise in household spending on personal care products and services in the UK. Therefore, the increasing popularity of personal care products is driving the growth of the cellulosic polymer market.

Major companies in the cellulosic polymers market are focusing on advanced solutions, such as membrane-based cellulosic sugar production, to improve sustainability, diversify feedstocks, and reduce dependence on fossil-based raw materials. Membrane-based cellulosic sugar production involves converting inedible biomass, such as bagasse or cassava pulp, into fermentable sugars using enzymatic treatment combined with membrane separation to purify and concentrate the resulting sugars. For example, in September 2023, Toray Industries, a Japan-based chemical and materials company, invested an additional US $8.2 million in its Thai subsidiary, Cellulosic Biomass Technology Co., Ltd., to expand its membrane-based saccharification process and scale up cellulosic sugar production. The expansion aims to increase daily production capacity from three tonnes of bagasse-derived sugar to five tonnes by incorporating cassava-pulp-derived sugar. Toray plans to produce approximately 100,000 tonnes of cellulosic sugar annually by 2030, which will be used to manufacture bio-based polyamide, including 100% bio-based adipic acid produced in 2022 from inedible biomass sugars.

In September 2023, DuBois Chemicals, a US-based provider of customized specialty chemical solutions, acquired Cellulose Solutions for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, DuBois aims to expand its pulp and paper chemicals portfolio and strengthen its position in the cellulosic polymers value chain. Cellulose Solutions is an India-based manufacturer of cellulose-derived polymers.

Major companies operating in the cellulosic polymers market are Dow Inc., Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Asahi Kasei Corporation, Grasim Industries Limited, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Eastman Chemical Company, Celanese Corporation, Nippon Paper Industries, Borregaard ASA, Sappi Limited, Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V., Daicel Corporation, Lenzing AG, Rayonier Advanced Materials, CP Kelco ApS, Blanver Farmoquimica e Farmaceutica S.A., J. Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH, Viscose Group, JNC Corporation.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the cellulosic polymers market in 2025. The regions covered in the cellulosic polymers market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the cellulosic polymers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The cellulosic polymer market consists of sales of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), lyocell, sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC), viscose (rayon), and cellulosic nanomaterials. 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.

Cellulosic Polymers Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses cellulosic polymers 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.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for cellulosic polymers ? 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 cellulosic polymers 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, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• 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.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Type: Cellulose Esters; Cellulose Ethers
• 2) By Application: Paints And Coatings; Flexible Packaging; Skin Care; Print Laminations; Other Applications
• 3) By End User: Food And Beverage; Building And Construction; Personal And Cosmetic Care; Medical And Pharmaceutical; Other End Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Cellulose Esters: Cellulose Acetate; Cellulose Propionate; Cellulose Butyrate; Cellulose Acetate Propionate; Cellulose Acetate Butyrate
• 2) By Cellulose Ethers: Methyl Cellulose (MC); Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC); Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC); Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC); Ethyl Cellulose (EC)
• Companies Mentioned: Dow Inc.; Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation; Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.; Asahi Kasei Corporation; Grasim Industries Limited; DuPont de Nemours Inc.; Eastman Chemical Company; Celanese Corporation; Nippon Paper Industries; Borregaard ASA; Sappi Limited; Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V.; Daicel Corporation; Lenzing AG; Rayonier Advanced Materials; CP Kelco ApS; Blanver Farmoquimica e Farmaceutica S.A.; J. Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH; Viscose Group; JNC Corporation.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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