Polyacrylic Acid Global Market Report 2026

Polyacrylic acid (PAA) is a synthetic polymer derived from acrylic acid, recognized for its exceptional ability to absorb water and modify viscosity. It is commonly employed as a thickening agent in cosmetics and paints, a dispersant in detergents, and in superabsorbent materials. Additionally, PAA is used in pharmaceutical formulations and medical applications due to its moisture-retaining properties, which enhance the consistency of various products.

The primary varieties of polyacrylic acid include copolymers, homopolymers, and terpolymers. Copolymers are created by blending acrylic acid with other monomers, resulting in polymers with distinctive characteristics, such as enhanced flexibility or specific adhesive properties. These are particularly beneficial for applications in adhesives, coatings, and personal care products that require tailored performance features. PAA is available in both liquid and powdered forms, categorized by grades such as industrial, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical, which serve various functions, including thickeners, dispersing agents, conditioners, emulsifiers, anti-scaling agents, ion exchangers, and clarifying agents. Key end users encompass sectors such as water treatment, personal care, and detergents and cleaners, 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 polyacrylic acid market by increasing costs of imported acrylic acid, specialty additives, and processing equipment, impacting overall production economics. Detergents, water treatment, and personal care segments are most affected, particularly in asia pacific and europe where cross border chemical trade is significant. At the same time, tariffs are encouraging regional manufacturing, backward integration of raw materials, and investment in local capacity expansion, supporting long term supply stability.

The polyacrylic acid market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides polyacrylic acid market statistics, including polyacrylic acid industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a polyacrylic acid market share, detailed polyacrylic acid market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the polyacrylic acid industry. This polyacrylic acid 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 polyacrylic acid market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $3.74 billion in 2025 to $3.98 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of detergent industry, adoption of synthetic polymers in cosmetics, increasing use of water treatment chemicals, expansion of industrial cleaning applications, development of acrylic acid chemistry.

The polyacrylic acid market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5.06 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for advanced water treatment solutions, expansion of pharmaceutical formulations, growth of premium personal care products, increasing industrial wastewater regulations, innovation in polymer dispersion technologies. Major trends in the forecast period include rising use of paa in water treatment applications, growing demand for high performance thickeners, expansion of paa in personal care formulations, increased adoption in detergents and cleaners, focus on multi functional polymer formulations.

The rising demand for personal care products is projected to drive the growth of the polyacrylic acid market in the coming years. Personal care products encompass a wide range of items related to hygiene, grooming, and beauty, including skincare, haircare, oral care, and cosmetics. This growing demand is fueled by increasing consumer awareness of hygiene, self-care, grooming, and changing beauty trends. Polyacrylic acid is utilized in personal care formulations for its thickening, emulsifying, and moisture-retention capabilities, which enhance the texture and stability of products such as lotions, gels, and creams. For example, the Cosmetic Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA), a UK-based trade group, reported that the color cosmetics sector sold 118,178 units in 2022, which rose to 123,056 units in 2023, reflecting a growth of about 4.1%. Similarly, the skincare sector saw an increase from 456,401 units in 2022 to 460,868 units in 2023, marking a growth of approximately 1.0%. Thus, the growing demand for personal care products is expected to boost the polyacrylic acid market.

Leading companies in the polyacrylic acid market are focusing on high-performance additives, including modified polymers, to improve product performance and formulation stability. Modified polymers are chemically or physically altered to enhance properties such as strength, flexibility, or thermal stability for better performance in specific applications. For instance, in August 2023, Lubrizol Life Science Beauty, a division of The Lubrizol Corporation, launched Carbopol SC-800 polymer, a hydrophobically modified cross-linked polyacrylic acid. This polymer provides an efficient thickening and stabilizing solution for mild, sulfate-free cleansers such as shower gels, shampoos, and facial cleansers. It offers superior clarity, thickening efficiency, and suspension properties compared to other polymers, giving formulators the flexibility to enhance skin cleansing formulations. Additionally, foam generation studies indicate that this polymer maintains foam volume and quality, ensuring the desired lather in rinse-off beauty products without compromising performance.

In August 2023, Nantong Jiangshan Agrochemical & Chemicals Limited Liability Co., Ltd., a China-based company specializing in agrochemicals and fine chemicals, acquired a 67% stake in Nantong Uniphos Chemicals Co., Ltd. for $24.71 million. This acquisition is a strategic move to expand its presence in the water treatment chemicals sector while strengthening its position in China's broader specialty chemicals market. Nantong Uniphos Chemicals Co. Ltd. is a Chinese manufacturer focused on producing polyacrylic acid-based compounds.

Major companies operating in the polyacrylic acid market are BASF SE, Dow Chemical Company, Arkema S.A., Solvay S.A., SNF Group, Kemira Oyj, Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd., The Lubrizol Corporation, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Toagosei Co. Ltd., Evonik Industries, LG Chem, Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Company, Wanhua Chemical Group, Sanyo Chemical Industries, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Zhejiang Satellite Chemical, Shanghai Huayi Acrylic Acid, Anhui Newman Fine Chemicals, Shandong ThFine Chemical, Acuro Organics Limited

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the polyacrylic acid market in 2025. North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the polyacrylic acid market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

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

The polyacrylic acid market consists of sales of standard polyacrylic acid, neutralized polyacrylic acid, and low-molecular-weight polyacrylic acid. 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.

Polyacrylic Acid 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 polyacrylic acid 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 polyacrylic acid ? 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 polyacrylic acid 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: Copolymer; Homopolymer; Terpolymer
• 2) By Physical State: Liquid Polyacrylic Acid; Powder Polyacrylic Acid
• 3) By Grade: Industrial Grade; Cosmetic Grade; Pharmaceutical Grade
• 4) By Application: Thickeners; Dispersing Agents; Conditioners; Emulsifiers; Anti-Scaling
• 5) By End User: Water Treatment; Personal Care; Detergents And Cleaners; Other End Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Copolymers: Acrylic Acid/Acrylate Copolymers; Acrylic Acid/Maleic Acid Copolymers; Acrylic Acid/Styrene Copolymers
• 2) By Homopolymers: Polyacrylic Acid (PAA); Polyacrylic Acid Salts; Cross-Linked Homopolymers
• 3) By Terpolymers: Acrylic Acid/Acrylate/Maleic Acid Terpolymers; Acrylic Acid/Acrylate/Styrene Terpolymers; Acrylic Acid/Butyl Acrylate/Styrene Terpolymers
• Companies Mentioned: BASF SE; Dow Chemical Company; Arkema S.A.; Solvay S.A.; SNF Group; Kemira Oyj; Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd.; The Lubrizol Corporation; Ashland Global Holdings Inc.; Toagosei Co. Ltd.; Evonik Industries; LG Chem; Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Company; Wanhua Chemical Group; Sanyo Chemical Industries; Formosa Plastics Corporation; Zhejiang Satellite Chemical; Shanghai Huayi Acrylic Acid; Anhui Newman Fine Chemicals; Shandong ThFine Chemical; Acuro Organics Limited
• 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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