Cellulose Sponge Market Size

Global Cellulose Sponge Market Overview

Cellulose Sponge Market Size was valued at USD 2.18 Billion in 2023. The Cellulose Sponge industry is projected to grow from USD 2.27 Billion in 2024 to USD 2.98 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.48% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Rising demand from hotels, the hospitality sector, households, restaurants, and other application areas for washing, wiping, and cleaning are the key market drivers boosting the market growth.Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Cellulose Sponge Market Trends

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  Growing Areas of Cleaning are driving the market growth

  
  

Market CAGR for cellulose sponges is driven by the increasing demand in application areas for cleaning and washing. Cellulose sponges are made of natural materials, because of which it is more prone to absorbing food particles and germs. Due to their soaking nature, cellulose sponges tend to trap bacteria and which is why it is very important to disinfect and replace them regularly, especially those used in the kitchen. They are also used in the packaging, medical, cosmetics, chemical, automotive, and other end-use industries.

Additionally, the low shelf life period and complex production process make it a time-consuming and tedious process for cellulose sponges. These factors together are estimated to hamper the growth of cellulose sponges in the market. But it is now driven by a rise in urbanization, an increase in disposable income, and growth in the chemical and petrochemical industry, which have surged the demand for cellulose sponge. The cellulose sponge is gaining popularity in the chemical sector due to its non-toxic, biodegradability, and bio-renewable properties. Cellulose sponge has great absorption capacity owing to which it is used for cleaning chemical laboratories, oil spills, and others. These factors are predicted to contribute to the market growth and are anticipated to offer new opportunities in the cellulose sponge market.

Further, the use of plastic materials in producing the sponges is generating landfills that tend to remain in the environment for over 52,000 years, whereas the cellulose sponges remain in the landfills for nearly a year. Therefore the utilization of natural raw materials in the production process is considered the major driver of the cellulose sponge market. The rising demand across household applications such as wiping and cleaning and increasing inclination towards protecting the cleaner indoor environment and better living spaces are enhancing the overall cellulose sponge industry growth in recent years.

For instance, cellulose sponges are made of natural materials that are derived from plants; they don't cause any harm to the environment or emit poisonous gases such as CO2 when burnt or buried. Moreover, several countries are imposing stringent regulations on harmful emissions and reducing carbon footprints, which are expected to encourage cellulose sponge market growth during the forecast period. Thus, driving the Cellulose Sponge market revenue.

Cellulose Sponge Market Segment Insights

Cellulose Sponge Type Insights

The Cellulose Sponge market segmentation, based on type, includes Synthetic and Natural. The synthetic cellulose sponge dominated the market, owing to being an alternative to the expensive natural sponge and low production cost. Synthetic cellulose sponge is chemical resistant, has high elasticity, is flexible, and can be used for all types of masonry, painting, and texturing, as well as general cleaning projects. These characteristics also make this type of sponge the obvious choice for all general home, auto, and marine applications. This is expected to act as one of the key drivers responsible for the growth of synthetic cellulose sponges during the forecast period.

Figure 1: Cellulose Sponge Market, by Type, 2022 & 2032 (USD billion)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Cellulose Sponge Raw Materials Insights

The Cellulose Sponge market segmentation, based on raw materials, includes Hemp Fibers, Sodium Sulfate Crystals, Softener, Wood Pulp, Flax, Polyester, and Others. The polyester category generated the most income during the forecast period. This is attributed to its cost-effectiveness, durability, and resistance to harsh cleaning chemicals, grease, and oil, absorbing nature. Other than this, the wood pulp category is expected to generate the most income due to its biodegradable nature after going through a lengthy process of soaking, pressing, yellowing, gluing, blending, and finally foaming.

Cellulose Sponge Application Insights

The Cellulose Sponge market segmentation, based on application, includes households, Automotive, Chemical, Cosmetics, Medical, Monofilaments, Packaging, and Others. The automotive category generated the most income during the forecast period. An increase in transport and logistics activities has led to the growth of the automotive sector, where cellulose sponges are widely greatly used for cleaning and washing the interior and exterior of vehicles and cleaning accessories. Cellulose sponges are extensively used in automotive applications.

However, the demand for cellulose sponges is increasing as compared to plastic sponges owing to the increasing demand for carbon footprint and rising awareness towards reducing the emissions generated by the cellulose sponges manufacturing industries.

Cellulose Sponge Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The North American Cellulose Sponge market area will dominate this market, owing to the stringent rules set by regulatory authorities regarding food and kitchen hygiene. For instance, Food & Drugs Administration has set certain rules to avoid the contamination of food, which mandates no bare-hand contact, and cleaning of kitchen tools and counters.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, German, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: CELLULOSE SPONGE MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Europe's Cellulose Sponge market accounts for the second-largest market share due to the increasing demand from the medical sector and the development of EVs for commercial and personal purposes. Further, the German Cellulose Sponge market held the largest market share, and the UK Cellulose Sponge market was the fastest-growing market in the European region

The Asia-Pacific Cellulose Sponge Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2023 to 2032. This is due to the demand from the packaging and glass industry. Moreover, China’s Cellulose Sponge market held the largest market share, and the Indian Cellulose Sponge market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia-Pacific region.

Cellulose Sponge Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in R&D in order to expand their product lines, which will help the Cellulose Sponge market grow even more. Market participants are also undertaking a variety of strategic activities to expand their footprint, with important market developments including new product launching, contract-based agreements, mergers and acquisitions, higher investments, and collaboration with other organizations. To expand and survive in a more competitive and rising market climate, the Cellulose Sponge industry must offer cost-effective items.

Manufacturing narrowly to minimize operational costs is one of the key business tactics used by manufacturers in the Cellulose Sponge industry to benefit clients and increase the market sector. In recent years, the Cellulose Sponge industry has offered some of the most significant advantages to medicine. Major players in the Cellulose Sponge market, including Toray Fine Chemicals, ACME sponge company, Spontex, Corazzi, Spongezz, Sponge Technology Corporation, and others, are attempting to increase market demand by investing in research and development operations.

ACME Sponge Company was formed in 1938 by Michael G. Cantonis. Borrowing $1000 from a friend, he visited New York at age 21 and started importing natural sponges from the Mediterranean. The company then moved to Chicago in 1947 to be closer to its customer base. And in the 1950s, imported natural chamois were added to the product mix of natural sponges and synthetic sponges. Acme Sponge is the industry leader in natural sponges and has built a reputation for durable, high-quality products. As a company, Acme is devoted to supplying value to the customers through pricing and consistently maintaining the highest quality but also by offering a wide selection and great customer service.

Since 1969, Americo Manufacturing Company has been innovating high-quality, effective floor care products manufactured with pride in the USA. Headquartered in Acworth, Georgia, the company offers a full line of floor pads made from 100% recycled PET fiber and natural content. They combine American-made quality with tested sustainability technology, giving you the confidence that clean floors need not come at the cost of our environment. As a subsidiary of Clean Solutions Group (CSG), Americo is committed to sustainability, green cleaning, and A Cleaner Way Forward™.

Key Companies in the Cellulose Sponge market include

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  Toray Fine chemicals

  
  


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  ACME sponge company

  
  


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  Spontex

  
  


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  Corazzi

  
  


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  Spongezz

  
  


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  Sponge Technology Corporation

  
  


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  Suvic Products Limited

  
  


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  Bruske

  
  


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  Kalle GMBH

  
  


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  Americo Manufacturing Company

  
  

Cellulose Sponge Industry Developments

July 2021: Swedish company Essity launched a new range of Tork industrial cellulose sponges that are more absorbent, stronger, and longer-lasting than traditional cellulose sponges.

February 2021: the German company Spontex launched a new range of cellulose sponges that are infused with aloe vera and vitamin E. These sponges are designed to be gentle on the skin and are marketed as a natural alternative to synthetic makeup removers.

Cellulose Sponge Market Segmentation

Cellulose Sponge Type Outlook

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  Synthetic

  
  


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  Natural

  
  

Cellulose Sponge Raw Materials Outlook

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  Hemp Fibers

  
  


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  Sodium Sulfate Crystals

  
  


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  Softeners

  
  


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  Wood Pulp

  
  


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  Flax

  
  


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  Polyester

  
  


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  Others

  
  

Cellulose Sponge Application Outlook

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  Household

  
  


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  Automotive

  
  


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  Chemical

  
  


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  Cosmetics

  
  


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  Medical

  
  


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  Monofilaments

  
  


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  Packaging

  
  


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  Others

  
  

Cellulose Sponge Regional Outlook

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  North America

  
  
  
  
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    US

    
    
  
  
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    Canada

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Europe

  
  
  
  
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    Germany

    
    
  
  
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    France

    
    
  
  
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    UK

    
    
  
  
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    Italy

    
    
  
  
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    Spain

    
    
  
  
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    Rest of Europe

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Asia-Pacific

  
  
  
  
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    China

    
    
  
  
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    Japan

    
    
  
  
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    India

    
    
  
  
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    Australia

    
    
  
  
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    South Korea

    
    
  
  
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    Australia

    
    
  
  
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    Rest of Asia-Pacific

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Rest of the World

  
  
  
  
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    Middle East

    
    
  
  
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    Africa

    
    
  
  
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    Latin America