Specialty Super Absorbent Polymer Market by Type, Material (Sodium Polyacrylate, Polyacrylate/Polyacrylamide Copolymer, Bio-Based Sap), End-Use Industry (Agriculture & Horticulture, Industrial, Construction), & Region - Global Forecast to 2029
Specialty Super Absorbent Polymer Market
The global specialty super absorbent polymer market is valued at USD 1.5 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2.0 billion by 2029, growing at 6.5% cagr from 2024 to 2029. Rapid industrialization and urbanization in emerging markets, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, have led to increased demand for SAPs in various applications, from hygiene products to agriculture and waste management. Large-scale infrastructure projects often require efficient water management solutions, where SAPs play a crucial role. Climate change has heightened the need for efficient water management solutions. SAPs help mitigate the impact of droughts and water scarcity by improving water retention in soils and reducing the frequency of irrigation. Greater awareness and understanding of the benefits of SAPs among industries and consumers drive adoption rates. Educational efforts and industry collaborations help promote the advantages of using SAPs.
Attractive Opportunities in the Specialty Super Absorbent Polymer Market
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Specialty Super Absorbent Polymer Market Dynamics
Driver: Increasing use in water treatment applications
The need for efficient water treatment solutions has increased due to the growing global population and industrialization. Super absorbent polymers are being utilized more often in a variety of water treatment procedures, including sludge dewatering, water purification, and wastewater treatment, to increase productivity and cut expenses. Super absorbent polymer is capable of absorbing and holding large amounts of water. By increasing soil retention through super absorbent polymer incorporation, irrigation frequency can be decreased, and water use can be optimized in agriculture. Growing applications of super absorbent polymer in water treatment across several industries, such as beverages, tanneries, municipal wastewater treatment, and dyeing, are expected to drive market expansion.
Restraint: Fluctuating raw material prices
The fluctuation in the costs of raw materials such as acrylic acid used in the production of super absorbent polymers is a major restraint for the market growth. These price fluctuations have a direct impact on the overall prices of super absorbent polymers. The specific raw materials required for production make the market susceptible to uncertainties in their availability. Stringent regulations, particularly in developed countries, regarding the use of synthetic materials in healthcare applications, further pose challenges to market growth. The fluctuating raw material prices not only affect production costs but also influence the pricing dynamics of super absorbent polymers.
Opportunity: Rising demand for biodegradable super absorbent polymers
The rising demand for biodegradable super absorbent polymers creates a substantial growth opportunity in the market. With a growing awareness of environmental issues, there is an increasing inclination toward sustainable and eco-friendly solutions. Biodegradable super absorbent polymers emerge as a more. environmentally conscious choice, addressing worries about the lasting effects of conventional polymers. These polymers naturally break down and significantly reduce long-term pollution and ecological damage. Bio-based super absorbent polymers are derived from renewable or bio-based sources. They are gaining favor compared to synthetic super absorbent polymers. Synthetic super absorbent polymers lack biocompatibility, biodegradability, or renewability. The adoption of bio-based super absorbent polymers offers a potential solution to mitigate the environmental impact associated with super absorbent polymers. commonly utilized in products for agriculture, construction, and medical waste adsorbents.
Challenge: Environmental Concerns
Environmental concerns pose a significant challenge for the super absorbent polymers market. The non-biodegradable nature raises environmental apprehensions, potentially hindering market growth. There is mounting pressure on the super absorbent polymers market to innovate and create biodegradable alternatives, addressing environmental issues, and aligning with the rising demand for eco-friendly products. The industry is under increasing scrutiny to develop sustainable solutions that minimize environmental pollution and cater to the growing preference for environmentally conscious products.
Specialty Super Absorbent Polymer Market: Ecosystem
Source: Secondary Research, Interviews with Experts, and MarketsandMarkets Analysis
"Sodium Polyacrylate is largest type of material in specialty super absorbent polymer market, in terms of value."
Sodium polyacrylate is the largest market for specialty super absorbent polymers (SAPs) in industrial applications due to its exceptional absorption capacity, cost-effectiveness, and versatility. Sodium polyacrylate is widely used in agriculture to improve soil moisture retention, in packaging to control moisture levels, and in waste management to solidify liquids. Its relatively low production cost and established manufacturing processes further enhance its market dominance, making it the preferred choice for a wide range of industrial uses.
"Based on end-use industry, agriculture is the fastest market for specialty super absorbent polymer market in 2023, in terms of value."
Agriculture is the fastest-growing market for specialty super absorbent polymers (SAPs) in industrial applications due to their transformative impact on water management and crop productivity in the face of increasing water scarcity and climate variability. SAPs enhance soil moisture retention, allowing for more efficient water usage and reducing the frequency of irrigation, which is particularly crucial in arid and drought-prone regions. This leads to improved crop yields and more resilient agricultural practices, aligning with the global demand for sustainable farming solutions to feed a growing population. Additionally, the agricultural sector's urgent need for innovative technologies to optimize resource use and support food security drives the rapid adoption and growth of SAPs in this market.
“North America accounted the second largest market for specialty super absorbent polymer in 2023, in terms of value."
The growth of the specialty super absorbent polymer (SAP) market for industrial applications in North America is driven by several factors, including advancements in agricultural practices, increased demand for hygiene products, and a strong focus on sustainability. Heightened environmental awareness and regulatory pressures encourage the adoption of eco-friendly and biodegradable SAPs, further propelling market growth. North America's robust research and development infrastructure and the presence of leading industry players also contribute to the rapid expansion of SAP applications across various sectors.
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Specialty Super Absorbent Polymer Market Players
The key players in this market are Evonik (Germany), Sumitomo Seika (Japan), Nippon Shokubai (Japan), LG Chem (South Korea), Songwon Industrial Group (South Korea), Chase Corporation (US), Formosa Plastics Corporation (Taiwan), SDP Global (Japan) SNF (France), Yixing Danson Technology (China), and Acuro Organics Ltd. (India). Continuous developments in the market—including new product launches, mergers & acquisitions, agreements, and expansions—are expected to help the market grow.
Specialty Super Absorbent Polymer Market Report Scope
|
Report Metric |
Details |
|
Years considered for the study |
2020-2029 |
|
Base Year |
2023 |
|
Forecast period |
2024–2029 |
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Units considered |
Kiloton; Value (USD Million) |
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Segments |
Type, Material, End-use industry and Region |
|
Regions |
Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and South America |
|
Companies |
Evonik (Germany), Sumitomo Seika (Japan), Nippon Shokubai (Japan), LG Chem (South Korea), Songwon Industrial Group (South Korea), Chase Corporation (US), Formosa Plastics Corporation (Taiwan), SDP Global (Japan) SNF (France), Yixing Danson Technology (China), and Acuro Organics Ltd. (India). |
This report categorizes the global specialty super absorbent polymers market based on type, material, end-use industry, and region.
Based on the type:
- High Absorbency SAPs
- Encapsulating SAPs
- Hydrophobic SAPs
- Flame-Retardant SAPs
- Other Types
Based on the material:
- Sodium Polyacrylate
- Polyacrylate/Polyacrylamide Copolymer
- Bio-Based SAPs
- Other Materials
Based on the end-use industry:
- Agriculture & Horticulture
- Industrial
- Construction
- Packaging
- Other End-use Industries
Based on the region:
- Asia Pacific
- Europe
- North America
- South America
- Middle East & Africa
Recent Developments
- In September 2022, SDP Global Co. has developed an eco-friendly superabsorbent polymer (SAP) made using plant-based biomass as a part of its raw materials and has acquired the Biomass Mark certified by the Japan Organics Recycling Association.
- In May 2024, Sumitomo Seika collaborated with Lummus technologies for a portfolio that includes a range of competitive technologies for ethylene production and a wide range of the polymer technologies that are highly compatible with LDPE/EVA and rPMMA technologies, coupled with their strong marketing and development capabilities to expand our technologies worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What are the factors influencing the growth of the specialty super absorbent polymer market?
The growth of this market can be attributed to increasing demand from wastewater treatment application, regulatory environment, and technological advancements.
Which are the key sectors driving the specialty super absorbent polymer market?
The sectors driving the demand for specialty super absorbent polymer are construction, agriculture & horticulture, industrial and packaging industry.
Who are the major manufacturers?
Major manufacturers include Evonik (Germany), Sumitomo Seika (Japan), Nippon Shokubai (Japan), LG Chem (South Korea), Songwon Industrial Group (South Korea), Chase Corporation (US), Formosa Plastics Corporation (Taiwan), SDP Global (Japan) SNF (France), Yixing Danson Technology (China), and Acuro Organics Ltd. (India), among others.
What is the biggest restraint for specialty super absorbent polymer?
The biggest restraint can be fluctuating raw material prices.
How is recession impact affecting the overall specialty super absorbent polymer market?
The recession impact is majorly affecting the developed regions like North America and Europe whereas developing regions like Asia Pacific are largely unimpacted.
What will be the growth prospects of the specialty super absorbent polymer market?
Increasing demand for specialty super absorbent polymer from various end-use industries and growing awareness. .
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The study involved four major activities in estimating the market size of the specialty super absorbent polymers market. Exhaustive secondary research was done to collect information on the market, the peer market, and the grandparent 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. Thereafter, the market breakdown and data triangulation procedures were used to estimate the market size of the segments and subsegments.
Secondary Research
In the secondary research process, various secondary sources have been referred to for identifying and collecting information for this study. These secondary sources include annual reports, press releases, investor presentations of companies, white papers, certified publications, trade directories, articles from recognized authors, gold standard and silver standard websites, and databases. Secondary research has been used to obtain key information about the value chain of the industry, monetary chain of the market, the total pool of key players, market classification and segmentation according to industry trends to the bottom-most level, and regional markets. It was also used to obtain information about the key developments from a market-oriented perspective.
Primary Research
The specialty super absorbent polymers market comprises several stakeholders in the value chain, which include manufacturers, and end users. Various primary sources from the supply and demand sides of the specialty super absorbent polymers market have been interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information. The primary interviewees from the demand side include key opinion leaders in industrial sectors. The primary sources from the supply side include manufacturers, associations, and institutions involved in the specialty super absorbent polymers industry. Primary interviews were conducted to gather insights such as market statistics, data of 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 type, material, end-use industry, and region. Stakeholders from the demand side, such as CIOs, CTOs, and CSOs were interviewed to understand the buyer’s perspective on the suppliers, products, component providers, and their current usage of specialty super absorbent polymers and outlook of their business, which will affect the overall market.
The breakdown of profiles of the primary interviewees is illustrated in the figure below:
Note: Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 companies are classified based on their market revenue in 2022 available in the public domain, product portfolios, and geographical presence.
Other designations include consultants and sales, marketing, and procurement managers.
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Market Size Estimation
The top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the size of the specialty super absorbent polymers market.
- The key players in the industry have been identified through extensive secondary research.
- The supply chain of the industry has been determined through primary and secondary research.
- All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources.
- All possible parameters that affect the markets covered in this research study have been accounted for, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to obtain the final quantitative and qualitative data.
- The research includes the study of reports, reviews, and newsletters of the key market players, along with extensive interviews for opinions with leaders such as directors and marketing executives.
TOP - DOWN Approach-
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BOTTOM - UP Approach-
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the total market size from the estimation process, the overall market has been split into several segments and sub-segments. To complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics for all the segments and sub-segments, the data triangulation and market breakdown procedures have been employed, wherever applicable. The data has been triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand and supply sides. Along with this, the market size has been validated by using both the top-down and bottom-up approaches and primary interviews. Hence, for every data segment, there have been three sources—top-down approach, bottom-up approach, and expert interviews. The data was assumed correct when the values arrived from the three sources matched.
Market Definition
Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are materials that can absorb and retain extremely large amounts of a liquid relative to their own mass. These polymers are used extensively in both industrial and agricultural applications due to their high absorption capacity and the ability to release absorbed liquids under specific conditions. SAPs are typically made from acrylic acid (AA) and its sodium or potassium salts, which are polymerized to form a network structure. Other polymers, such as polyacrylamides, may also be used. The network structure is created by cross-linking the polymer chains, which allows the polymer to retain absorbed liquid and swell rather than dissolve.
Key Stakeholders
- Senior Management
- End User
- Finance/Procurement Department
- R&D Department
- Manufacturers
- Raw Material Suppliers
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, and forecast the size of the specialty super absorbent polymers market, in terms of value and volume.
- To provide detailed information regarding the major factors (drivers, opportunities, restraints, and challenges) influencing the growth of the market
- To estimate and forecast the market size based on type, material, end-use industry, and region.
- To forecast the size of the market with respect to major regions, namely, Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America, along with their key countries
- To strategically analyze micro-markets with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the overall market
- To analyze opportunities in the market for stakeholders and provide a competitive landscape of market leaders.
- To track and analyze recent developments such as expansions, new product launches, partnerships & agreements, and acquisitions in the market.
- To strategically profile key market players and comprehensively analyze their core competencies.
Available Customizations
Along with the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations according to the company’s specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:
Regional Analysis
- Further breakdown of a region with respect to a particular country or additional application
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiles of additional market players
Tariff & Regulations
- Regulations and Impact on Specialty super absorbent polymers Market
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Specialty Super Absorbent Polymer Market