Asia Pacific Cellulose Ether & Derivatives Market
Asia Pacific Cellulose Ether & Derivatives Market, By Product Type (Methyl Cellulose & Derivatives, Carboxymethyl Cellulose, HEC, HPC, EC), Application (Construction, Pharmaceutical, Personal Care, Food & Beverage, Others), and Country - Forecast to 2030
OVERVIEW
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
The Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market size was valued at USD 3.77 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach to reach USD 7.03 billion by 2030, projecting a CAGR of 10.9% during the forecast period between 2025 and 2030. The growth of the market is driven by the increasing demand for cellulose ether & derivatives in a variety of applications, such as food, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and industrial products. The increasing demand for infrastructure development and energy-efficient buildings drives the consumption of cellulose ether & derivatives in this sector. The pharmaceutical and personal care industries are significant markets for cellulose ether & derivatives.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
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BY COUNTRYBy country, China the accounted for a 50.9% revenue share in 2024.
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BY PRODUCT TYPEBy product type, methyl cellulose & derivatives segment is expected to register the highest CAGR of 11.9%.
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BY APPLICATIONConstruction application dominated the Asia Pacific methyl cellulose & derivatives market in 2024.
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COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPECompanies Taian Ruitai Cellulose Co., Ltd., Henan Botai Chemical Building Material Co., Ltd., Celotech Chemical Co., Ltd., Zhejiang Kehong Chemical Co., Ltd., and Shandong Liachang E Hua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. among others, have distinguished themselves among startups and SMEs by securing strong footholds in specialized niche areas, underscoring their potential as market leaders.
The Asia Pacific cellulose ether and derivatives market is growing quickly due to rapid industrial expansion, rising construction activities, and increasing demand from pharmaceuticals, personal care, and food applications. The region’s booming population, better living standards, and shift toward processed and convenient foods are driving up the consumption of cellulose-based additives. Sustained infrastructure development in China, India, and Southeast Asia is increasing the use of cellulose ethers in cement, paints, and coatings. The rising demand for eco-friendly, bio-based, and multifunctional ingredients also boosts market adoption. This trend positions Asia Pacific as the fastest-growing center for cellulose ether and related products.
TRENDS & DISRUPTIONS IMPACTING CUSTOMERS' CUSTOMERS
Changes in customer trends or disruptions affect consumers' businesses. These shifts influence the revenues of end users. As a result, the revenue changes for end users are likely to impact the revenues of cellulose & ether derivatives suppliers, which, in turn, affect the revenues of composite manufacturers
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
MARKET DYNAMICS
Level
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High demand from construction industry
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Increasing use of carboxymethyl cellulose in mining industry
Level
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Emission of Hazardous air pollutants during production
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Risk of burning and explosion
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Booming personal care industry
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Increasing demand from pharmaceutical industry
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Water retention issues due to external factors
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Emergence of substitutes in various applications
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Driver: High demand from construction industry
The construction industry is a major driver of the cellulose ether & derivatives market. The demand for these compounds is driven by the need for improved construction materials, such as cement, mortar, and adhesives, which require enhanced workability, water retention, and durability. The increasing construction activities, infrastructure development, and focus on sustainable building practices contribute to the growth of the market
Restraint: Emission of Hazardous air pollutants during production
Cellulose is an organic compound made up of a linear chain of thousands of linked glucose units. It is a key structural part of the primary cell wall in green plants, many types of algae, and oomycetes. Cellulose from trees or other plants serves as the main raw material for all commercial products made by various cellulose manufacturing industries. Cellulose ether manufacturers usually use either wood pulp or cotton linters as their main raw material. While the production of cellulose ether does not greatly add to pollution, many of these facilities are seen as sources of hazardous air pollutants.
Opportunity: Booming personal care industry
Cellulose ether comes from cellulose, which is widely and naturally available. Carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and methylcellulose are found in various personal care products. They serve multiple purposes, including thickening, binding, film-forming, and improving lather. By slightly changing the functional group, cellulose ethers can fulfil all the needs of end users. There are hardly any substitutes for cellulose ether products in the personal care industry. The personal care industry is expected to witness significant growth in the forecast period because of the rise in per capita spending on cosmetics products, increasing disposable income of the female working population, and strong advertising and marketing strategies adopted by personal care companies to attract consumers.
Challenge: Water retention issues due to external factors
The ability of cellulose ether to hold onto water is one of its most crucial features. The water retention of dry-mixed mortar relies on its viscosity, fineness, and the temperature of the environment where the mortar is used. The solubility of cellulose ether depends on its fineness. Coarser cellulose ether usually appears granular. It disperses easily or dissolves in water without clumping, but it dissolves slowly, making it unsuitable for dry-mixed mortar. Cellulose ether is combined with cementitious materials like aggregate, fine aggregate, and cement in dry-mix mortar. The water retention of cellulose ether is also influenced by the operating temperature; it decreases as the temperature increases. In practical engineering, mortar is often created in high-temperature conditions. As water retention drops, both workability and crack resistance will suffer.
ASIA PACIFIC CELLULO: COMMERCIAL USE CASES ACROSS INDUSTRIES
| COMPANY | USE CASE DESCRIPTION | BENEFITS |
|---|---|---|
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Use of cellulose ethers (HPMC, MC) in personal care formulations such as shampoos, conditioners, lotions, and creams to enhance viscosity, stabilize emulsions, and improve product texture | Widely used in skincare and haircare lines across Asia Pacific due to consistent rheology performance | Improves product stability and shelf life | Delivers smooth application and better sensory feel | Supports clean-label, plant-based formulation trends in the beauty & personal care industry |
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Application of cellulose ethers (HEMC, HEC) in construction-grade paints, coatings, and wall putty for thickening, water retention, and improved workability | Essential for humid and tropical Asia Pacific conditions | Enhances coating durability and adhesion | Improves application smoothness I Prevents sagging and cracking | Provides superior water retention ideal for hot, high-humidity climates |
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Extensive use of pharmaceutical-grade cellulose derivatives (HPMC, CMC) in oral solids, capsules, ophthalmic products, and controlled-release formulations | Used as binders, film-coating agents, stabilizers, and drug-release modifiers | Ensures consistent drug release profiles | Enhances tablet stability | Enables controlled-release and sustained-release dosage forms | Meets stringent regulatory standards across Asia Pacific and global markets |
Logos and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is for informational and illustrative purposes only.
MARKET ECOSYSTEM
The Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market ecosystem consists of raw material suppliers (WestRock, Sappi, Kemira, Daice, etc.), cellulose ether & derivatives distributors (Dow, Shin-Etsu, Ashland Global Holdings, FenChem, etc.), and end users (Dr. Reddy's, Nestel, Unilever). Raw material suppliers provide essential materials to cellulose ether & derivative manufacturers. The intermediates establish contact between manufacturing companies and end users to streamline the supply chain, increasing operational efficiency and profitability.
Logos and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners. Their use here is for informational and illustrative purposes only.
MARKET SEGMENTS
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Asia Pacific Cellulose Ether & Derivatives Market, By Product Type
The methyl cellulose & derivatives segment dominated the cellulose ether & derivatives market. Methyl cellulose and its derivatives have versatile properties as additives. It has applications in the construction, coatings, pharmaceuticals, food, and personal care sectors. They are employed in a wide range of functionalities, such as rheology modification, water retention, film formation, controlled release, adhesion, and stabilization. Owing to these factors, the methyl cellulose & derivatives segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR between 2025 and 2030.
Asia Pacific Cellulose Ether & Derivatives Market, By Application
The cellulose ether & derivatives market is segmented based on application into food & beverage, construction, pharmaceuticals, personal care, paints & coatings, industrial uses, and others. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) has many industrial applications. In the textile industry, CMC acts as a sizing agent and thickener during yarn and fabric production. It makes the weaving process smoother by enhancing strength, lubrication, and adhesion in the fibers. CMC also helps with dye absorption and color fastness. These benefits will drive the market growth.
REGION
Asia Pacific to be fastest-growing region in the fire-resistant glass market during forecast period
China dominated the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market. The high market share for the country is attributed to its robust manufacturing base, wide availability of raw materials, and highly integrated supply chain. Due to easy access to wood pulp and cotton linters, which drastically lowers production costs, the country is home to some of the biggest cellulose ether production facilities in the world. China's strong pharmaceutical, food processing, personal care, and construction sectors generate enormous domestic demand, solidifying its market dominance.
ASIA PACIFIC CELLULO: COMPANY EVALUATION MATRIX
In the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market matrix, Shin-Etsu (Japan) leads due to its robust market share and expansive product range, leveraging its established global presence and consistently strong record in delivering products across multiple applications. FemChem (Emerging Leader) is gaining market momentum through strategic regional initiatives and a diverse range of product developments for various applications.
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, MarketsandMarkets Analysis
KEY MARKET PLAYERS
- The Dow Chemical Company
- Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
- Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.
- LOTTE Fine Chemicals
- Rayonier Advanced Materials
- Shandong Head Co., Ltd.
- Nouryon Chemicals Holding B.V.
- Colorcon
- J.M. Huber Corporation
- J. RETTENMAIER & SÖHNE GmbH + Co KG
- FenChem
- Hubei Jiahua Cellulose Co., Ltd.
- DKS Co. Ltd.
- Lamberti S.p.A
- Zibo Hailan Chemical Co., Ltd.
MARKET SCOPE
| REPORT METRIC | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Market Size in 2024 (Value) | USD 3.77 Billion |
| Market Forecast in 2030 (Value) | USD 7.03 Billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 10.9% from 2025-2030 |
| Years Considered | 2023-2030 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025-2030 |
| Units Considered | Value (USD Billion), Volume (Kiloton) |
| Report Coverage | Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
| Segments Covered |
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| Countries Covered | China, Japan, India, Indonesia, Rest of Asia Pacific |
WHAT IS IN IT FOR YOU: ASIA PACIFIC CELLULO REPORT CONTENT GUIDE
DELIVERED CUSTOMIZATIONS
We have successfully delivered the following deep-dive customizations:
| CLIENT REQUEST | CUSTOMIZATION DELIVERED | VALUE ADDS |
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| Raw Material Suppliers (Pulp, Cotton Linters, MCA, ECH, PO, Alkali) |
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| Cellulose Ether Manufacturers (HPMC, HEMC, CMC, HEC, MC, HPC) |
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| OEMs in Construction, Pharma, Food, Personal Care, Oil & Gas |
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| Distributors & Regional Chemical Traders |
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RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
- May 2021 : Rayonier Advanced Materials announced a strategic investment in Anomera Inc., which produces the highest quality cellulose nanocrystals under the brand names DextraCel, ChromaPu, and ChromAllur. Anomera represents a new cellulosic technology platform for future growth. This investment is expected to offer a new platform to expand its business into new areas.
- January 2020 : Nouryon accelerated growth by signing an agreement to acquire the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) business of J.M. Huber Corporation. The transaction will significantly broaden Nouryon’s portfolio of products in CMC, a sustainable, bio-based water-soluble polymer used as a thickener, binder, stabilizer, and film former.
- November 2017 : Rayonier Advanced Materials announced the acquisition of Tembec Inc., combining two complementary high-purity cellulose businesses and diversifying its product offerings with integrated forest products, including paper, paperboard, and newsprint. This acquisition is expected to help the company diversify its product offering in high-purity cellulose and enable it to expand into new adjacent businesses.
Table of Contents
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Methodology
The study involves two major activities in estimating the current market size for the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market. Exhaustive secondary research was done to collect information on the market, peer market, and parent market. The next step was to validate these findings, assumptions, and sizing with industry experts across the value chain through primary research. Both top-down and bottom-up approaches were employed to estimate the complete market size. After that, market breakdown and data triangulation were used to estimate the market size of segments and subsegments.
Secondary Research
Secondary sources referred to for this research study include financial statements of companies offering Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives and information from various trade, business, and professional associations. The secondary data was collected and analyzed to arrive at the overall size of the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market, which was validated by primary respondents.
Primary Research
Extensive primary research was conducted after obtaining information regarding the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market scenario through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both the demand and supply sides across Asia Pacific. Primary data was collected through questionnaires, emails, and telephonic interviews. The primary sources from the supply side included various industry experts, such as Chief X Officers (CXOs), Vice Presidents (VPs), Directors from business development, marketing, product development/innovation teams, and related key executives from Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives industry vendors; system integrators; component providers; distributors; and key opinion leaders. Primary interviews were conducted to gather insights such as market statistics, data on revenue collected from the products and services, market breakdowns, market size estimations, market forecasting, and data triangulation. Primary research also helped in understanding the various trends related to technology, application, vertical, and region. Stakeholders from the demand side, such as CIOs, CTOs, CSOs, and installation teams of the customer/end users who are using the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives industry, were interviewed to understand the buyer’s perspective on the suppliers, products, component providers, and their current usage of Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives and future outlook of their business which will affect the overall market.
To know about the assumptions considered for the study, download the pdf brochure
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COMPANY NAME |
DESIGNATION |
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Dow Chemical Company |
Product Development Head |
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Shandong Head Co., Ltd. |
Director |
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DKS Co. Ltd. |
Consultant |
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Rayonier Advanced Materials |
Sales Head |
Market Size Estimation
The research methodology used to estimate the size of the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market includes the following details. The market sizing of the market was undertaken from the demand side. The market was upsized based on procurements and modernizations in Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives in different product type applications of the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives at a regional level. Such procurements provide information on the demand aspects of the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives industry for each application. For each application, all possible segments of the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market were integrated and mapped.
Asia Pacific cellulose ether & Derivatives Market Size: Bottom-Up Approach
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Asia Pacific cellulose ether & Derivatives Market Size: Top-Down Approach
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall size from the market size estimation process explained above, the total market was split into several segments and subsegments. The data triangulation and market breakdown procedures explained below were implemented, wherever applicable, to complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics for various market segments and subsegments. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from the demand and supply sides. Along with this, the market size was validated using both the top-down and bottom-up approaches.
Market Definition
Cellulose ether & derivatives are defined as polymers, which are produced by the chemical modification of cellulose. It consists of methylcellulose & derivatives, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and ethyl cellulose. They perform a variety of functions, such as thickening, binding, water retention, emulsifying, and acting as a protective colloid in industries, including pharmaceutical, construction, food & beverage, oil & gas, and paints & coatings.
Key Stakeholders
- Senior Management
- End User
- Finance/Procurement Department
- R&D Department
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, segment, and forecast the size of the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives based on product type, application type, and region
- To identify and analyze key drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges influencing the growth of the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market
- To analyze technological advancements and product launches in the market
- To strategically analyze micro markets with respect to their growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the market
- To identify financial positions, key products, and key developments of leading companies in the market
- To provide a detailed competitive landscape of the market, along with a market share analysis
- To provide a comprehensive analysis of business and corporate strategies adopted by the key players in the market
- To strategically profile key players in the market and comprehensively analyze their core competencies
Available Customizations
MarketsandMarkets offers the following customizations for this market report:
- Additional country-level analysis of the Asia Pacific cellulose ether & derivatives market
Product Analysis
- Product matrix, which provides a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company's market
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