The global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemicals Market is exhibiting a strong growth path with the evolving need of production and quality in the paper industry. Rising demand for different types of specialty paper from the paper, stationery, and packaging sectors across the globe will contribute heavily toward business expansion. Paper continues to be commonplace in the medical, household, industrial, packaging, and other commercial sectors despite the fledging digitization technology. Growing demand for one-sided specialty papers will be a major driver for the growth of specialty pulp and paper chemicals market over the coming seven years. One-sided coated papers find application in envelopes, laminating, gift wrapping, release liners, posters, labeling, and thermal transfers and are expected to witness a heightened market demand, after registering a valuation of 4000 kilo tons in 2015. As per a report by Global Market Insights, Inc., specialty pulp and paper chemicals market is anticipated to register a CAGR of 4.9% over 2016-2024 and the market valuation is expected to surge from USD 20.2 billion in 2015 to USD 31 billion by 2024.
U.S. Specialty Pulp And Paper Chemicals Market size, by product, 2015 & 2024 (USD million)
Specialty pulp and paper chemicals market is segmented into four types of products namely, process chemicals, functional chemicals, bleaching chemicals, and polymerization & blowing agents. Of these, functional chemicals accounted for more than 50% of overall specialty pulp and paper chemicals industry share in 2015 and is expected to be the fastest growing segment at 4.5% CAGR in terms of revenue from 2016-2024. These types of chemicals include various pigments, dyes, and coatings chemicals.
Process chemicals, which constitute caustic soda and other mineral acids help in easy breakage of fibers and are used to increase the pH level. This product segment within specialty pulp and paper chemicals industry is anticipated to generate revenue over USD 6,700 million by 2024. Process chemicals also include chelating agents which are used to remove scales of machines to improve their efficiency and life span. Bleaching chemicals on other hand, are expected to witness high demand, owing to their rising use in recycling papers. In 2015, the worldwide recycled paper consumption was over 200 million tons and this number is expected to rise with the growing awareness toward environmental conservation. Bleaching and process chemicals market together catered to 45% of the global demand in 2015, but are expected to lose their share to functional chemicals over the coming years.
Asia Pacific represents the fastest growing region in the global specialty pulp and paper chemicals industry. Increasing production capacities in the region are expected to drive the market growth. Positive outlook of packaging and retail market in India and China has propelled the growing demand for specialty paper chemicals. Asia Pacific specialty pulp and paper chemicals market accounting for 35% of total volume in 2015 dominated the regional revenue landscape and is projected to register a CAGR of 6% over 2016-2024. The regional market is expected to generate a revenue over USD 11.5 billion by 2024, subject to increasing production capacities in the region. Latin America market is also gaining prominence as many new manufacturing facilities have been established in the area. Latin America specialty pulp and paper chemicals industry is expected to surpass a revenue generation of USD 3,300 million by 2024, at 5% growth rate from 2016-2024. The steady demand in Asia Pacific and Latin America will lead North America and Europe losing their industry share.
Strong digitization trends in North America and Europe are one of the major reason of shifting paper consumption trends to Asia Pacific. In 2015, Europe specialty pulp and paper chemicals industry share accounted for 30% of overall demand, however the industry collapsed with rising inclination toward to e-books and electronic media. The specialty pulp and paper chemicals industry is foreseen to depict below average gains over the coming seven years. Nevertheless, though the advent digital age has impacted the paper industry, a noticeable rise is expected in use of specialty papers for packaging. Europe and North America specialty pulp and paper chemicals markets are expected to grow at an annual rate of 4% each in terms of revenue over the period of 2016-2024.
The top six industry player occupied more than 75% of the global specialty pulp and paper chemicals industry share in 2015 and is thus fairly consolidated in nature. In 2015, Kemira OYJ was one of the leading companies, which has been establishing several facilities to intensify its output rate and strengthen its global foothold. Other such prominent specialty pulp and paper chemicals industry players include AkzoNobel N.V., Dow Chemical Company, BASF SE, Shell Chemicals, Buckman Laboratories International, Inc., and Evonik Industries.