Polyacrylic acid (PAA) is a homopolymer manufactured by polymerization of acrylic acid monomers. The scope covers the use of polyacrylic acid across several applications and end uses. It also covers the consumption of PAA for the production of various copolymers. A few copolymers of PAA are poly(acrylic acid-sodium salt), poly(acrylic acid-co-methyl-acrylate), poly(acrylic acid-co-ethyl acrylate), poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide), and poly(acrylic acid-co-styrene). PAA is known for its versatility and has a wide range of applications due to its functional properties. Neutralized PAA gels are suitable for creating biocompatible matrices for medical applications such as treatment gels. Water treatment, textiles, paints and coatings, detergents and cleaners, and personal care are among the end-use industries of the polyacrylic acid market.
In 2023, Asia Pacific dominated the polyacrylic acid market. The market in Asia Pacific is driven by accelerating automotive, marine, aerospace, and construction industries. The Asia Pacific polyacrylic acid market, by country, is segmented into Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea, and the Rest of Asia Pacific. The demand for polyacrylic acid has been steadily increasing in Asia Pacific as it is one of the most rapidly growing markets driven by significant industrialization and urbanization trends. The rise in demand is attributed to its versatile applications across various industries, including personal care, paints & coatings, textile processing, and water treatment. In China, one significant driver is the country’s rapid industrialization, leading to increased demand for various industrial applications such as water treatment, paints & coatings, adhesives, and textiles. Polyacrylic acid’s versatility makes it a preferred choice in these industries due to its ability to function as a thickening agent, water absorbent, and dispersant. The National Development and Reform Commission issued the guidelines for improving the efficiency of sewage water treatment. China aims to increase the utilization rate of recycled water to more than 25% by 2025. The development of bio-based and sustainable products in Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as a trend in the regional polyacrylic acid market during the forecast period.
Rising Demand from Paper & Pulp Industry Drives Polyacrylic Acid Market Growth
The polyacrylic acid market report emphasizes the key factors driving the market. The global paper & pulp industry is growing due to factors such as the expanding e-commerce sector, increasing demand for paper packaging products, and rising demand for eco-friendly packaging products. Countries in Europe, Asia, and North America such as the US, China, Germany, Japan, Finland, and Canada are major pulp and paper producers across the world. In Europe, paper production is concentrated in the northern European countries, including Finland, Russia, and Sweden. The US paper industry continues to respond to shifting demands by converting paper machines to produce packaging grades, supporting the country’s manufacturing jobs, and sustaining local communities. In India, packaging is currently the fifth largest sector of the country’s economy. It consists of small, medium, and large paper mills, with production ranging from 5 to 2,000 tons per day.
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) announced regulations for online retail regarding packaging material effect from July 2023. The rules restrict the utilization of PVC plastic in the packaging by online retailers. According to the Confederation of European Paper Industries, European recovered paper exports increased by 58% in 2023 compared to 2022. As per Japan Paper Association, paperboard production in Japan increased from 12.26 million metric tons in 2021 to 12.39 million metric tons in 2022. Polyacrylic acid is a water-soluble material applied in paper manufacturing processes. Polyacrylate dispersant is used in the paper chemical industry. It enhances the production of paper by enhancing the paper characteristics. The sodium polyacrylate dispersant is used as a retention and drainage aid during papermaking. Thus, the growing pulp & paper industry influences the polyacrylic acid market growth.
Polyacrylic Acid Market: Segmental Overview
The polyacrylic acid market analysis has been carried out by considering the following segments: form, application, and end-use industry. Based on form, the market is segmented into powder and liquid. In 2023, the liquid segment held a larger market share and is expected to register a higher CAGR from 2023 to 2031. Liquid PAA can be used without the need for additional dissolution steps. This saves time and effort in applications where rapid deployment is a primary objective. Liquid PAA solutions are homogeneous, ensuring consistent performance and application across different batches and conditions. PAA in the form of white or off-white powder is available in varying particle sizes depending on the manufacturing process. It is hygroscopic and possesses high water solubility. The solubility of PAA is directly proportional to temperature changes. When dissolved in water, it forms a viscous solution with good dispersing and thickening properties. The powder form of PAA is commonly used as a flocculant and coagulant in water and wastewater treatment processes.
Based on application, the polyacrylic acid market is segmented into dispersing agent, anti-scaling agent, thickeners, emulsifiers, ion-exchanger, and others. The anti-scaling agent segment held the largest polyacrylic acid market share in 2023. PAA inhibits the deposition of insoluble mineral salts onto a surface, thereby making it a significant chemical in water treatment, preventing deposit formation in various oil and gas applications, and industrial cleaning. PAA is widely used in water treatment to prevent scale formation in water cooling systems, boilers, and reverse osmosis membranes. PAA effectively inhibits the precipitation of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, and other mineral scales that can impair the efficiency and performance of equipment.
Polyacrylic Acid Market: Competitive Landscape and Key Developments
Arkema SA, Ashland Inc, BASF SE, Evonik Industries AG, Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd, Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co Ltd, The Dow Chemical Co, The Lubrizol Corp, Shandong ThFine Chemical Co Ltd, and Glentham Life Sciences Limited are a few players profiled in the polyacrylic acid market report. Players operating in the market focus on providing high-quality products to fulfill customer demand.
Key Developments (as per Company Press Releases):
- In 2023, Lubrizol Life Science Beauty launched a thickening agent, Carbopol SC-800, for personal care products.
- In 2023, BASF SE announced the opening of the production complex at its Verbund site in Zhanjiang, China. The complex includes the production facility for butyl acrylate (BA), glacial acrylic acid (GAA), and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2-EHA). The company revealed its plan to stream by 2025, and the complex will have an annual production capacity of ∼400,000 metric tons of BA and 100,000 metric tons of 2-EHA.
- In 2023, Nippon Shokubai Co Ltd inaugurated the acrylic acid facility with a production capacity of 100,000 MT/year in Cilegon, Banten, Indonesia. The total investment of the project is reported to be ∼US$ 200 million.