Water-Soluble Polymers Market

GMI Research analysis indicates that the Water-soluble Polymers Market size was estimated at USD 33.2 billion in 2022 and is slated to register a single digit CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period, and is projected to reach USD 50.2 billion in 2030.

Major Water-Soluble Polymers Market Drivers

The global water-soluble polymers market is expected to reach new heights due to its extensive usage in different industries such as petroleum, chemical, and pharmaceutical and its wide variety of applications as thickeners, stabilizers, lubricity acids, emulsifiers, and rheology modifiers. The chemical industry holds an important position within the economy. The projected growth in the chemical industry is predicted to drive the supply of products. In 2018, the Chemical Industry in the U.S. as reported by the World Bank, contributed to 16.43% of manufacturing value-added. With the significant growth in demand from an end-user segment, the global market for chemical goods is estimated to rise during the coming period. UNEP estimated that chemical sales will probably double from 2017 to 2030. Additionally, its enormous usage in pharmaceutical organizations and growing bio-based acrylamide demand is predicted to result in different market growth opportunities for manufacturers in water-soluble polymers market. Its applications in paper manufacturing, processing minerals, municipalities treatment, wastewater from factories, oil sand tailings dewatering, and biotechnology are also probably to aid the global water soluble polymers market growth in the forecast period.

In addition, the usage of water-soluble polymers is huge in the oil and gas industry, specifically in midstream and upstream segments. It offers different applications in the oil and gas industry concerning cementing, diverting agents, drilling, well stimulation, well completing, oil and gas well production, treatment of oil and oil-contaminated systems, and deposit formation control. Oil companies extensively employ chemical-enhanced oil recovery methods and hydraulic fracturing methods to accomplish peak production levels and encounter the growing energy requirements. Besides this, many hydraulic fracturing functions use the water-based fracturing fluid to develop unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. The Water-soluble polymer additives are employed to develop the performance of water-based fluids, developing factors such as minimizing fluid loss, proppant transport, and growing fracture dimensions in hydraulic fracturing functions which further propel the global water-soluble polymers market size. To increase productivity and fulfill the growing energy requirement, oil companies heavily depend on hydraulic fracturing and increased chemical oil recovery processes. In 2020, US oil production touched 11.2 million barrels daily, and US natural gas extraction touched 112.6 billion cubic feet daily.

Water-soluble polymer substances are important elements in solid-liquid separation units engaged to remediate procedure effluents. These water-soluble polymers comprise long chains that effectively separate non-settling tiny methods from aqueous solutions. It finds applications in mineral processing commercial and residential wastewater treatment, biotechnology industries, and paper manufacturing due to which demand for water-soluble polymers increases in the forecast period. China intends to build or update 80,000 kilometers of sewage collection pipelines from 2021 to 2025 and develop sewage treatment volume by 20 million cubic meters daily.

Polyacrylamide with high molecular significance is broadly utilized as a flocculant in the treatment of wastewater and as a viscosity converter in enhanced oil recovery processes. Overuse and insufficient treatment can lead to pollution of local water sources, posing a threat to the region’s plant and animal life. Plastic with high molecular significance is generally less harmful to the surroundings. However, they undergo severe chemical, mechanical, and thermal conditions throughout the manufacturing procedure. The harsh conditions can lead to the degradation of high molecular weight materials, modifying their physical and chemical features, ultimately restraining the global water-soluble polymers market growth. The rapid generation of bio-based acrylamide on account of increasing environmental initiatives or concerns is estimated to open new market growth opportunities for global market players.

Whereas, water-soluble polymers market insights predict that the market players in the global market are increasingly spending on research and development activities to enhance water-soluble polymers from different sources for sustainable surroundings. The focus of market players on producing water-soluble polymers from amino acids that can reject high temperatures is a positive factor propelling the market growth. Other than this, a high increase in employment of water-soluble polymers to dissolve drugs in pharmaceutical industry, which decrease the blood viscosity and are not soluble in water, is fostering water-soluble polymers market share.

By end-user, the water treatment industry holds a high CAGR

The significant growth in demand for effluent generation from different manufacturing firms and the rise in the need for effluent treatment fosters the demand for the water treatment procedure, hence propelling the global market growth. In the US and other nations, because of growing sustainability concerns, vigorous environmental standards shall boost the market growth globally. In 2022, based on the Ministry of Jal Shakti of the GOI, the rural population percentage having admittance to clean and safe drinking water within grounds increased to 61.5% from 55.2% during FY2021. In addition, across India, different enterprises such as SPML Infra, Abengoa, and Suez, are investing in water treatment developments. In water industry, the investment opportunities are predicted to rise to USD 130 billion by 2030. In addition, the environmental initiatives concerning sustainable environment, clean drinking water, and wastewater release propel the demand for synthetic polymers.

By Raw Material, Synthetic segment exhibits the highest growth

The market growth is attributed because these substances can dissolve, swell, or disperse in water, modifying the physical properties of aqueous systems through procedures such as stabilization, emulsification, gelation, or thickening. Unlike natural plastics sourced from plants and animals, synthetic polymers are attained through chemical modification of natural plastics.

Polyacrylamide is the largest sub-segment of Synthetic segment

In the synthetic segment, there are further sub-classifications including polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, polyacrylic acid, and others. Polyacrylamide synthetic upgrades the water viscosity and supports the flocculation of elements in water. Its developing applications across industries such as paper making, food & beverage, wastewater treatment, and oil and gas are projected to propel growth in the polyacrylamide market segment.

By Region, Asia Pacific region accounts for the largest market size

The Asia Pacific region growth is attributed due to significant development in chemical industry, the existence of giant market players, growing environmental concerns, and increase in spending of governmental and private stakeholders to safeguard the ecological breakdown. China’s substantial investments in rural wastewater treatment systems, including an additional USD 18.5 billion in their 14th five-year plan, following the significant investment of USD 80.7 billion in municipal wastewater treatment systems throughout their 13th five-year plan, reflect the nation’s commitment to addressing water pollution. As a foremost manufacturer and customer of water-soluble polymers, this advancement is projected to further foster the requirement for such polymers in the region. The APAC demand for polymers including polyacrylamide, a commonly utilized coagulating and flocculating agent in wastewater treatment, is estimated to increase as the wastewater treatment industry is projected to develop in the forecast period. Moreover, growth in the pharmaceutical sector in emerging nations such as India due to supportive government regulations motivating private investments in different practices will increase the demand around the Asia Pacific water-soluble polymers market.

North America is predicted to rise at the fastest rate in the forecast period

The high rise in generation of shale gas, and considerable growth in demand from the oil & gas industry are the prime factors propelling the North America water-soluble polymers market. In oil & gas industry, the rapid rise in need for these materials in the oil & gas industry is primarily for well completion, drilling, production, and oil-enhanced recovery procedures. The enhanced oil recovery approach is predicted to be a significant component of oil & gas extraction functions, particularly in the US, as innovations in fracking technology continue to drive regional market growth in the forecast period. Although, in the extraction of shale gas there is an increase in usage of these polymers predicted to present a positive market growth. The market expansion is predicted to drive due to the growing need from the oil & gas industry because it offers better customizability compared to conventional injection fluids in oil-enhanced recovery, propelling their adoption in the market.

Europe is predicted to present steady growth

The substantial increase in demand from personal care and detergent industries is predicted to lead Europe water-soluble polymer market. In addition, an increase in the disposable income of customers and speedy urbanization also drive the regional market growth in the forecast period. Moreover, the European water-soluble polymers market revenue share is becoming competitive, with the entrance of giant and popular market players who are engaging in different research and development activities, product portfolio expansion globally, and other strategic collaborations.

Top Market Players

Various notable players operating in the market include Ashland, Arkema, BASF SE, CP Kelco US Inc., DuPont, Gantrade Corporation, Kemira, Kuraray Co. Ltd, Merck KGaA, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation among others

Key Developments

• • In 2023, BASF announced an investment to increase its dispersant business around Europe to aid customers of BASF in different industries in MEA and Europe including chemical processing, detergent, and cleaning industry.
  • In 2022, BASF and Nippon Paint China announced a joint launch in China of innovative industrial eco-packaging to make an eco-friendly and green value chain in the industrial packaging market of China.
  • In 2022, Kemira Oyj announced the commencement of its first global full-scale making of its newly bio-based balanced polymer which can be utilized in different industries to develop complete performance and environmental impact.
  • In 2022, ARKEMA announced its earlier global PEBAX elastomer capacity expansion for 2023 from +25% to +40% to support high need from clients from different industries including consumer electronics, sports, and others.

Segments covered in the Report:

The Water-Soluble Polymers Market has been segmented on the basis of Type and End-user Industry. Based on the Type, the market is segmented into Synthetic water-soluble polymers and Natural water-soluble polymers. The Synthetic water-soluble polymers segment is further segmented into Polyvinyl alcohol, Polyacrylic acids, Polyacrylamides and Others. The Natural water-soluble polymers segment is further segmented into Gelatin, Guar gum, Others. Based on the End-user Industry, the market is segmented into Personal Care and Hygiene, Other End-user Industries, Food and Beverage, Water Treatment, Oil and Gas, Pharmaceutical, Pulp and Paper.

Report Coverage	Details
Market Revenues (2022)	USD 33.2 billion
Market Base Year	2022
Market Forecast Period	2023-2030
Base Year & Forecast Units	Revenues (USD Million)
Market Segment	By Type, By End-user Industry, By Region
Regional Coverage	Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and RoW
Companies Profiled	Ashland, Arkema, BASF SE, CP Kelco US Inc., DuPont, Gantrade Corporation, Kemira, Kuraray Co. Ltd, Merck KGaA, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, among others; a total of 10 companies covered.
25% Free Customization Available	We will customize this report up to 25% as a free customization to address our client’s specific requirements

Market Segmentation

Global Water-Soluble Polymers Market by Type

• • Synthetic water-soluble polymers
    • Polyacrylamides
    • Polyacrylic acids
    • Polyvinyl alcohol
    • Others
  • Natural water-soluble polymers
    • Gelatin
    • Guar gum
    • Others

Global Water-Soluble Polymers Market by End-user Industry

• • Water Treatment
  • Food and Beverage
  • Personal Care and Hygiene
  • Oil and Gas
  • Pulp and Paper
  • Pharmaceutical
  • Other End-user Industries

Global Water-Soluble Polymers Market by Region

• • North America Water-Soluble Polymers Market (Option 1: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Type
    • By End-user Industry
    • US Market All-Up
    • Canada Market All-Up

  • Europe Water-Soluble Polymers Market (Option 2: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Type
    • By End-user Industry
    • UK Market All-Up
    • Germany Market All-Up
    • France Market All-Up
    • Spain Market All-Up
    • Rest of Europe Market All-Up

  • Asia-Pacific Water-Soluble Polymers Market (Option 3: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Type
    • By End-user Industry
    • China Market All-Up
    • India Market All-Up
    • Japan Market All-Up
    • Rest of APAC Market All-Up

  • RoW Water-Soluble Polymers Market (Option 4: As a part of the free 25% customization)

    • By Type
    • By End-user Industry
    • Brazil Market All-Up
    • South Africa Market All-Up
    • Saudi Arabia Market All-Up
    • UAE Market All-Up
    • Rest of world (remaining countries of the LAMEA region) Market All-Up

Global Water-Soluble Polymers Leading Market Players (Option 5: As a part of the free 25% Customization – Profiles of 5 Additional Companies of your Choice)

• • Ashland
  • Arkema
  • BASF SE
  • CP Kelco US Inc.
  • DuPont
  • Gantrade Corporation
  • Kemira
  • Kuraray Co. Ltd
  • Merck KGaA
  • Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation