PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1926932
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1926932
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose belongs to the class of cellulose ethers, wherein one or more of the three hydroxyl groups in the cellulose ring have been substituted with other hydroxyl groups. It is characterized as odorless and tasteless, appearing white to slightly off-white with fibrous or granular properties. Its wide range of applications includes medicine delivery, dyes and paints, cosmetics, adhesives, coatings, agriculture, and textiles, attributed to its hydrophilic nature, biodegradability, and biocompatibility.
The primary types of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose are pharmaceutical grade and industrial grade. Pharmaceutical-grade products meet the standards set by the FDA (The United States Food and Drug Administration) for use in food for both people and animals, ensuring compliance with strict purity requirements. Sales channels for hydroxypropyl methylcellulose include both direct and indirect sales, catering to various industries such as construction, pharmaceuticals (including cosmetics), and the food industry, 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 are influencing the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market by increasing costs of imported cellulose pulp, chemical reagents, processing equipment, and packaging materials. Pharmaceutical and construction sectors in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on export-oriented production. These tariffs are increasing formulation costs and impacting margins. However, they are also encouraging regional production, backward integration, and innovation in alternative cellulose sourcing.
The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market statistics, including hydroxypropyl methylcellulose industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market share, detailed hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose industry. This hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 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 hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.82 billion in 2025 to $5.16 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of pharmaceutical manufacturing, growth of construction chemical applications, rising use in food thickening agents, established demand in cosmetic formulations, availability of cellulose-based raw materials.
The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.63 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable excipients, rising investments in advanced drug formulations, expansion of green construction materials, growing focus on plant-based ingredients, increasing adoption in specialty coatings. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for pharmaceutical-grade cellulose ethers, rising use in controlled drug delivery systems, growing adoption in construction additives, expansion of clean-label food ingredients, enhanced focus on biodegradable polymers.
The rise in the construction sector is expected to drive the growth of the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) market. Construction involves building, repairing, designing, and planning structures using various engineering techniques to improve infrastructure and buildings. HPMC is used in construction as a water-retaining agent and cement mortar retarder, making mortar pumpable, preventing cracking from rapid drying, and enhancing structural strength. For instance, in February 2024, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, average annual building production in the EU and eurozone increased by 0.1% and 0.2%, respectively, compared to 2022. Therefore, growth in the construction sector is boosting the HPMC market.
Major companies in the HPMC market are focusing on innovative products such as Low Nitrite METHOCEL HPMC to gain a competitive advantage. Low Nitrite METHOCEL HPMC is a modified hydroxypropyl methylcellulose that significantly reduces nitrosamine formation risk in pharmaceutical formulations while maintaining the binder, film-forming, and formulation flexibility of traditional HPMC. For instance, in November 2025, Roquette, a France-based food and pharma ingredients company, launched Low Nitrite METHOCEL HPMC. This grade ensures nitrite levels remain at or below 200 parts per billion, supporting safer and more reliable tablet formulations for controlled-release and moisture-sensitive drugs.
In May 2025, Univar Solutions, a U.S.-based specialty ingredients distributor, entered into an exclusive European partnership with Shandong Head Group for the distribution of cellulose ethers and pharmaceutical excipients, including HPMC. This partnership enables Univar Solutions to expand its European market reach and regulatory support while providing high-quality cellulose ethers from Shandong Head, a China-based manufacturer supplying HPMC for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, food, and industrial applications.
Major companies operating in the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market are Celotech Chemical Co Ltd., Zhejiang Kelain New Materials Co Ltd., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd, Ashland Global Specialty Chemicals Inc, DuPont de Nemours Inc, Colorcon Inc, Lotte Fine Chemical Co Ltd, Shandong Head Co Ltd, Shijiazhuang Shangdun Cellulose Co Ltd, Fenchem Biotek Ltd, Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Paramount Chemical & Acid Corporation, Madhu Hydrocolloids Pvt. Ltd., Dow Chemical Company, Samsung Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd., Zhejiang Kehong Chemical Co. Ltd., China Ruitai International Holdings Co. Ltd., Kingstone Chemical Holdings Co. Ltd., SE Tylose GmbH & Co. KG, Daicel FineChem Ltd., Anhui Shanhe Pharmaceutical Holdings Co. Ltd., Changzhou Guoyu Environmental S&T Co. Ltd., J. Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH + Co KG, Shanxi Sanwei Group Co. Ltd.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The hydroxypropyl methylcellulose market consists of sales of hypromellose 2208 (K chemistry or grade) and hypromellose 2910 (E chemistry or grade). 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.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 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 hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 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 hydroxypropyl methylcellulose ? 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 hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 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.
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