PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927079
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927079
Paper chemicals are specific substances utilized in the production and processing of paper products to improve their properties, performance, and appearance. These chemicals encompass additives like fillers, coatings, sizing agents, and surfactants that enhance characteristics such as brightness, strength, and printability.
The realm of paper chemicals, there exist distinct categories, namely bleaching chemicals, pulping chemicals, and functional chemicals. Bleaching chemicals are specifically employed in the bleaching of pulp and paper. Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) stands out as the most commonly utilized bleaching agent, particularly in the environmentally preferable ECF chemical pulp bleaching process. Paper chemicals exist in various forms, categorized as specialty and commodity types, catering to diverse applications across packaging and board, printing and writing, as well as hygiene product manufacturing.
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 affecting the paper chemicals market by increasing costs of imported bleaching agents, functional additives, specialty chemicals, and processing equipment. Europe and Asia-Pacific are most impacted due to large pulp and paper operations, while North America faces higher costs for specialty chemicals. These tariffs are increasing production costs and affecting paper pricing. However, they are also encouraging local chemical sourcing, development of bio-based additives, and innovation in sustainable paper processing solutions.
The paper chemicals market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides paper chemicals market statistics, including paper chemicals industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a paper chemicals market share, detailed paper chemicals market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the paper chemicals industry. This paper 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 paper chemicals market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $40.38 billion in 2025 to $41.9 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of paper and pulp manufacturing, growth of packaging and board production, increasing demand for printing paper, rising adoption of chemical additives, availability of commodity paper chemicals.
The paper chemicals market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $47.65 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing focus on recyclable paper products, rising demand for specialty paper chemicals, expansion of hygiene paper applications, growing investments in eco-friendly papermaking, increasing adoption of advanced coating technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for sustainable paper additives, rising adoption of functional paper chemicals, growing use in packaging applications, expansion of high-quality printing papers, enhanced focus on paper strength and brightness.
The increase in usage of paper-based packaging is driving the growth of the paper chemicals market. Paper containers, also referred to as paper packaging, are a highly efficient and affordable alternative for transporting, carrying, and storing various items. Many paper packaging products, including soup jars, plates, and bowls, contain PFAS (paper chemicals). Paper-based packaging can be easily recycled and contributes to sustainability. For instance, in October 2023, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based government agency, around 80 million tons of packaging waste were produced in Europe, with paper and cardboard accounting for 41%, followed by plastic (19%), glass (19%), wood (16%), and metal (5%). Municipal recycling rates were 82% for paper and cardboard packaging, 78% for metallic packaging, 76% for glass packaging, 41% for plastic, and 31% for wooden packages. Therefore, the increasing adoption of paper-based packaging and its sustainable properties are driving the paper chemicals market.
Key players in the paper chemicals market are dedicated to innovating products like the Valmet Polarox6 to provide dependable services to their customers. The Valmet Polarox6 is an inline measurement tool for pulp bleaching aimed at optimizing the bleaching process by enhancing measurement and control precision. For instance, in May 2023, Valmet Oyj, a Finland-based technology firm that offers automation systems for the pulp, paper, and energy sectors, introduced the Valmet Polarox6. This device includes a sensor that prevents the under- or overdosing of bleaching chemicals, ensuring the precise dosage needed for the pulp bleaching process.
In February 2023, Solenis, a US-based specialty chemicals manufacturer, acquired the paper process chemicals division of KLK Kolb Group for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows Solenis to enhance its offerings and provide cost-effective solutions for its pulp and paper clients. KLK Kolb Group is a Switzerland-based producer of paper process chemicals.
Major companies operating in the paper chemicals market are Kemira Oyj, BASF SE, Solenis LLC, Akzo Nobel N.V., Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Dow Inc., Evonik Industries AG, Huntsman Corporation, Imerys S.A., Omya AG, Minerals Technologies Inc., Buckman Laboratories International Inc., Archroma Corporation, SNF Group, Borregaard ASA, Nouryon, Clariant AG, LANXESS AG, Kuraray Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Solvay S.A., Arkema S.A.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the paper chemicals market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the paper chemicals market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the paper chemicals market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The paper chemicals market consists of sales of optical brightening agent, pigment, retention agent, caustic soda, sizing agent, and wet strength additive. 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.
Paper Chemicals 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 paper 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 paper 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 paper 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, 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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