Segments - Plant-based Natural Polymers Market by Type (Exudate & Vegetable Gums, Cellulose Ethers, Pectin, Chitin, Starch, Proteins, Carbohydrates, and Others), Application (Food & Beverages, Packaging, Oilfield, Construction, Biomedical, Cosmetics & Toiletries, Inks, Adhesives, Paints & Coatings, Textiles, and Others), and Region (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2023 – 2031
The global plant-based natural polymers market size was USD XX Mn in 2022 and is likely to reach USD XX Mn by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of XX% during 2023–2031. Growing usage of bio-based products to minimize harm to the environment is likely to fuel the market.
Plant-based natural polymers are derived from wood pulp, soybeans, and corn. They are more effective as compared to synthetic polymers, as they are less expensive, non-toxic, economical, and abundantly available in nature. These polymers prevent the accumulation of waste and pollution, as they can easily biodegrade.
These polymers include exudate & vegetable gum, cellulose ethers, starch & fermentation products, and protein-based merchandise, which found application in oilfields, pharmaceuticals, food & beverages, packaging, cosmetics, and other consumer products.
The COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the overall revenue generation of the market, owing to the sharp decline in the demand for polymers from the end-use industries and the temporary shutdown of manufacturing units that produce polymers. A few companies postponed their existing projects, due to the irregular supply of raw materials and announced a possible delay in the delivery of products, which disrupted the supply chain of the market.
Growing awareness regarding environmental hazards caused by non-biodegradable products is a major factor driving the market during the projected period. Synthetic polymers are non-biodegradable in nature, which makes them a permanent waste. Thus, governments across the globe are taking initiatives to ban non-biodegradable and petroleum-based polymers for sustainability across industries, which boosts the demand for natural polymers.
Increasing application is another major factor driving the market. Plant-based natural polymers are often used in packaging, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. However, it is widely used in the oilfield industry for hydraulic fracturing fluid. Thus, the rising demand for natural polymers from various industries, due to their non-toxic and biodegradable properties is likely to fuel the market.
High risk of microbial contamination during production hinders the market. The presence of chemical constituents in natural polymers is affected, due to climate changes and the availability of nutrition, which increases the risk of contamination.
Fluctuation in raw materials prices is anticipated to hamper the market in the coming years. A sudden surge and decline in the costs of raw materials encourage manufacturers to increase production costs. Furthermore, growing deforestation disrupts the overall supply chain of the market.
Rising consumer preference for eco-friendly products and stringent environmental regulations are likely to create immense opportunities for the key players competing in the market. Thus, key companies increasingly implementing sustainable initiatives to minimize carbon footprint. Moreover, increasing investments in R&D in agriculture, packaging, and pharmaceuticals by governments is likely to propel the market.
The market report includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes |
Details |
Report Title |
Plant-based Natural Polymers Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast |
Base Year |
2022 |
Historic Data |
2016–2021 |
Forecast Period |
2023–2031 |
Segmentation |
Type (Exudate & Vegetable Gums, Cellulose Ethers, Pectin, Chitin, Starch, and Others), and Application (Food & Beverages, Packaging, Oilfield, Construction, Biomedical, Cosmetics & Toiletries, Inks, Adhesives, Paints & Coatings, Textiles, and Others) |
Regional Scope |
Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa |
Report Coverage |
Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Market Trends, and Revenue Forecast |
Key Players Covered in the Report |
Akzo Nobel N.V.; Ashland Inc; Croda International; ADM; BASF SE; Cargill, Incorporated; CP Kelco U.S., Inc.; Dow; Economy Polymers & Chemicals; ENCORE Natural Polymers Private Limited; and Novamont S.p.A. |
Based on type, the plant-based natural polymers market is segregated into exudate & vegetable gums, cellulose ethers, pectin, chitin, starch, and others. The cellulose ethers segment is anticipated to expand at a considerable CAGR in the coming years, due to its excellent mechanical properties, high crystallinity, hydrophilicity, and degree of polymerization. Cellulose ethers are water-soluble polymers and function, as viscosity modifiers, stabilizers, and thickeners. Cellulose-based materials are used in biomedical applications including binders and fillers in capsules, medical implants, drug delivery agents, wound dressing, and scaffolds for tissue engineering.
The exudate & vegetable gums segment is projected to grow at a rapid pace during the projection period, owing to the increasing demand from the food & beverages industry. Vegetable gums are derived from coconut husks, seaweed, and soybean hulls, which are commonly used to improve consistency in various food items.
On the basis of application, the market is segmented into food & beverages, packaging, oilfield, construction, biomedical, cosmetics & toiletries, inks, adhesives, paints & coatings, textiles, and others. The packaging segment is expected to register a robust growth rate during the assessment period, owing to the rapid expansion of various industries across the globe, which demands for sustainable packaging to lower carbon emissions. Packaging products including thermoform, loose-fill, and form-fill contain natural polymers such as polylactic acid and starch-blend. However, growing demand for packaged food is likely to fuel the segment.
The construction segment is anticipated to expand at a high CAGR during the projection period, due to the increasing construction activities at a rapid pace. Natural polymers are widely used in wall coatings and flooring materials to improve UV resistance. It can be blended with marble chips and limestone to create wood floorings.
The cosmetics & toiletries segment is estimated to grow at a significant pace in the coming years, owing to the rising adoption of skincare and personal care products. Plant-based substances including gums, starches, and waxes help to maintain the moisture level of skin tissues. Growing trend toward herbal cosmetics products is likely to boost the segment.
In terms of region, the global plant-based natural polymers market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America is anticipated to dominate the market during the projection period, due to the increasing demand from the food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, oilfield, and construction industries. The growth of the market in the region is attributed to the rising government initiatives to minimize green gas emissions and the growing adoption of consumer packaged goods along with sustainable packaging.
The market in Asia Pacific is estimated to grow quickly in the coming years, owing to the increasing industrialization in developing countries such as India and China. The market growth is further attributed to the rising construction activities in the region and implementation of strict government regulations regarding the usage of non-biodegradable products.
The plant-based natural polymers market has been segmented on the basis of
Players in the global plant-based natural polymers market are Akzo Nobel N.V.; Ashland Inc; Croda International; ADM; BASF SE; Cargill, Incorporated; CP Kelco U.S., Inc.; Dow; Economy Polymers & Chemicals; ENCORE Natural Polymers Private Limited; and Novamont S.p.A.
Some of these major companies adopted several business development strategies including partnerships, mergers, collaborations, acquisitions, and product launches to expand their consumer base and market share. For instance,
On September 27, 2022, CP Kelco partnered with ExoPolymer to develop a portfolio of functional biopolymers for the personal care industry. The primary aim of this partnership is to bolster the production of polysaccharide-based biopolymers to be used in skin care formulations for anti-aging, hydration, and anti-wrinkle performance.