PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927193
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927193
Rheology modifiers, also known as viscosity modifiers, are substances added to a material to alter its flow behavior or viscosity. They find common usage in various industries such as paints and coatings, adhesives, cosmetics, and food processing.
The primary types of rheology modifiers are organic and inorganic. Inorganic substances are compounds that lack carbon-hydrogen bonds and are typically derived from minerals or non-living sources. Inorganic rheology modifiers encompass a variety of materials, including clays, silica, talc, and various metal oxides. These substances can interact with the formulation matrix, forming structures or networks that influence the flow behavior of the material. They are applied in diverse applications such as paints and coatings, cosmetics and personal care, adhesives and sealants, pharmaceuticals, home care, oil and gas, construction, inks, and others. These modifiers are distributed through various channels, including direct and indirect distribution.
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 impacting the rheology modifiers market by increasing costs of imported specialty polymers, mineral additives, and processing chemicals. Paints, coatings, and cosmetics industries in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported modifiers, while Asia-Pacific faces higher costs for export-oriented specialty chemical production. These tariffs are raising formulation costs and impacting pricing strategies. However, they are also driving local production of additives, regional supply chain development, and innovation in alternative thickening technologies.
The rheology modifiers market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides rheology modifiers market statistics, including rheology modifiers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a rheology modifiers market share, detailed rheology modifiers market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the rheology modifiers industry. This rheology modifiers 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 rheology modifiers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $8.89 billion in 2025 to $9.35 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of construction and coatings industry, growth of cosmetic and personal care products, increasing demand for formulation consistency, rising use of additives in industrial applications, availability of diverse thickening agents.
The rheology modifiers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $11.53 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of sustainable formulation ingredients, rising demand for high-performance coatings, expansion of specialty chemical applications, growing focus on bio-based rheology modifiers, increasing investments in formulation innovation. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for advanced viscosity control solutions, rising use in water-based formulations, growing adoption in paints and coatings, expansion of clean-label cosmetic products, enhanced focus on formulation stability.
The expanding paints and coatings industry is expected to drive the growth of the rheology modifiers market going forward. The paints and coatings industry encompasses the production, distribution, and application of paints, coatings, and related products. Rheology modifiers are incorporated into paint and coating formulations to enhance their flow properties, controlling viscosity, thixotropy, and sag resistance, which ensures ease of application and a consistent finish. For example, in January 2024, according to the World Paint and Coatings Industry Association, a Belgium-based international non-profit organization, the global paint and coatings market reached $185.5 billion in 2023, representing a 3.2% increase compared to 2022. Thus, growth in the paints and coatings sector is propelling the rheology modifiers market.
Leading companies in the rheology modifier market are concentrating on sustainable solutions, such as biodegradable rheology modifiers, to secure a competitive edge. A biodegradable rheology modifier is a substance that modifies the flow and viscosity of materials while being environmentally friendly, as it can decompose naturally without leaving harmful residues. For instance, in February 2023, Clariant AG, a Switzerland-based chemicals firm, launched Aristoflex Eco T, a biodegradable rheology modifier intended for use in skincare formulations. Sourced from the Tara Spinosa plant in the Peruvian Andes, it is derived from Tara gum. This ingredient provides a luxurious texture and stability comparable to traditional synthetic polymers while remaining environmentally friendly. It enables formulators to create high-performance products such as facial creams, body lotions, and sun care items, catering to the increasing demand for sustainable and effective skincare solutions.
In July 2024, Tate & Lyle PLC, a UK-based food and beverage company, acquired CP Kelco for $1.8 billion. This acquisition aligns with Tate & Lyle's strategic shift toward healthier, clean-label ingredients in response to rising consumer concerns about sugar content and lengthy ingredient lists in food products. CP Kelco is a US-based manufacturer specializing in ingredients, including rheology modifiers.
Major companies operating in the rheology modifiers market are BASF SE, Arkema S.A., Evonik Industries AG, Clariant AG, Dow Inc., Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Lubrizol Corporation, Solvay S.A., Croda International Plc, Cabot Corporation, Elementis plc, BYK-Chemie GmbH, Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V., Huntsman Corporation, Wacker Chemie AG, LANXESS AG, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation, Allnex Belgium SA/NV, Celanese Corporation
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the rheology modifiers market in 2025 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the rheology modifiers market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the rheology modifiers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The rheology modifiers market consists of sales of synthetic thickeners, associate thickeners, clay-based modifiers, silica-based modifiers, and others. 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.
Rheology Modifiers 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 rheology modifiers 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 rheology modifiers ? 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 rheology modifiers 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.
Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.