Nanocellulose Market Trends

Global Nanocellulose Market Overview

The nanocellulose Market Size was valued at USD 0.034 Billion in 2022. The Nanocellulose industry is projected to grow from USD 0.064 Billion in 2023 to USD 1.1 Billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.9% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Nanocellulose is a cellulose derivative obtained from wood pulp. The material is isolated from wood by using mechanical methods, which apply high shear forces. For instance, it is prepared under high-pressure homogenizers, ultrasonic homogenizers, grinders, or microfluidizers. These nanomaterials are extremely lightweight, super-strong, and electrically conductive, which makes them an excellent product for application in composites. A nanocomposite with a nanocellulose additive has the strength to stop a bullet, thus making it useful for manufacturing bullet-proof products. Also, its low density, high aspect ratio, and hardness make it an excellent additive in cement. According to the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), the increasing number of patent applications and research papers reflects the high interest of people in this type of nanomaterial.

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Nanocellulose Market Trends

• 
  

  Increasing R&D Activities for the Augmentation of Characteristics of Existing Nanocellulose Products is a Vital Trend.

  
  

The pursuit of new technologies and the augmentation of properties of existing products are the key factors trending in several research groups. A significant application of these materials in the upcoming years is expected from the expanding food & beverage sector on the backdrop of increasing health issues. Thus, companies operating in the market are studying the development of cellulose nanomaterials, which would enhance the health benefits of these functional food products. On the other hand, companies operating in cosmetics manufacturing are making significant investments in the development of natural products that can replace traditional chemical-based products and thus are increasingly undertaking the usage of Micro fibrillated Cellulose (MFC). 

Additionally, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, containers, and packaging comprise about 28.1% of the total municipal solid waste generated in the U.S. It alone accounts for 82.2 million tons of solid waste, the majority of which either enters into landfills or ends up in water bodies. Many packaging products are manufactured using plastics, paper & boards, or metals and are neither recyclable nor degradable. To improve the sustainability of the packaging industry, the concept of ‘active packaging’ techniques, which integrate nanoparticles into polymers, has been gaining traction. This innovation also enhances the properties of packaging products and caters to the recycling problem. These new composite packaging materials have observed a rapid growth in the demand from the food industry owing to their excellent microbial contamination resistance. This is set to drive the demand for cellulosic nanomaterials.

Nanocellulose Market Segment Insights

Nanocellulose Type Insights

The Nanocellulose market segmentation, based on Type, includes micro fibrillated cellulose (MFC), cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), bacterial cellulose (BC), and others. Cellulose nanofibrils are not only used in manufacturing textiles and filter materials, but researchers are also studying the development of CNF-based plastic materials. For instance, Daio paper developed a CNF-sheet material, which comprises about 80% w/w nanofibers, having performance comparable to commodity plastic. Recent breakthroughs have reported the development of plastic composites containing CNF, increasing their tensile strength and flexural modulus. For instance, the NEDO project developed a continuous process to produce hydrophobic, modified CNF, which are extremely durable and find application in the manufacturing of plastic resins for automotive applications. Owing to these factors, the CNF segment is gaining key market share at a very swift rate in the market.

Nanocellulose Application Insights

Based on Application, the Nanocellulose market segmentation includes cement & composites, textiles & nonwovens, paper & packaging, food products, cosmetics & toiletries, filter materials, and others. Out of these applications, the paper and packaging segment is projected to be the fastest-growing on account of the increasing utilization of cellulose nanocrystals in both paper and plastic-based packaging. This trend is confirmed by organizations, such as the International Organizations Association (ISO), TAPPI, and Canadian Standards Association (CSA), which introduced standards for CNCs that are being developed. As nano cellulose improves the strength of plastics and paper packaging products, it is expected to gain tremendous traction in the market during the forecast period.

Figure 2:  Nanocellulose Market, by Process, 2023 & 2030 (USD Billion)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Nanocellulose Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Due to the expansion of composites & packaging and the automotive sector, during the forecast period, Asia-Pacific is predicted to grow at a significant CAGR. Due to the growing middle-class population along with the constant growth of new purchase lightweight automobile vehicles. Moreover, the availability of labor & raw material with low cost, less manufacturing cost, and a moderately stringent regulatory framework.

Figure 3:  NANOCELLULOSE MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2023 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database, and Analyst Review

Due to growing production capacities, high consumption potential, and rising economic growth rate, North America is projected to moderate growth in the Nanocellulose Market. The US and Canada are the major contributors to the growth in this region and are expected to see significant demand over the forecast period. Growing cosmetics and personal care industries is proliferating the demand in this region. According to the Department of Commerce (U.S), in 2015, national-wide cosmetics and toiletries constituted less than 3 % of the total market size.

Due to increasing expenditure on innovation and the rising purchasing power of consumers in various countries like Italy, Poland, Germany, the UK, Spain, France, and Russia, the demand for this market in Europe is anticipated to grow at a significant rate. Due to the growing consumer spending on cosmetics and personal care products, Latin American countries like Argentina, Colombia, and Brazil are expected to witness moderate growth.

Nanocellulose Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending a lot of money on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the Nanocellulose market grow even more. Market participants are also taking a range of strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the Nanocellulose industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

The major market players are investing a lot of money in R&D to expand their product lines, which will spur further market growth for Nanocellulose. With significant market development like new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations, market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their presence. To grow and thrive in a market climate that is becoming more competitive and growing, competitors in the Nanocellulose industry must offer affordable products.

Manufacturing locally to cut operating costs is one of the main business tactics manufacturers use in the Nanocellulose industry to benefit customers and expand the market sector. The Low-Profile Additives market has recently given medicine some of the most important advantages. Major Nanocellulose market players, including Daicel Finchem Ltd (Japan), Nippon Paper Industries C0., Ltd (Japan), Borregard (Norway), Celluforce (U.S) and others, are attempting to increase market demand by funding R&D initiatives.

Nippon Paper is a manufacturer and supplier of paper and packaging products. It offers adult diapers, wraps, cardboard, liner board and corrugated sheets, carton boxes, and more.

Also, Asahi Kasei is a chemical company focused on materials, homes, and healthcare sectors. In the materials area, it provides chemical intermediates, polymers, fibers and membranes, alkaline water electrolysis systems cleaners, optical and printing materials, electronic devices and components, household products, etc. In the healthcare segment, the company develops pharmaceuticals and diagnostic reagents.

Key Companies in the Nanocellulose market include

• Daicel Finchem Ltd (Japan)


• Nippon Paper Industries C0., Ltd (Japan)


• Borregard (Norway)


• Celluforce (U.S)


• Sappi Ltd (South Africa)


• Kruger Inc. (Canada)


• Stora Enso (Finland)


• American Process Inc.(U.S)


• UPM (Finland)


• Rettenmaier & Sohne GmbH + Co KG (Germany) and others.

Nanocellulose Industry Developments

In September 2020, Celluforce announced the signing of a commercial agreement with a multinational company operating in the cosmetics sector for the exclusive supply of CNC for the next 10 years. The company also estimated that it will require the construction of a new, larger plant shortly to meet the demand from this agreement. The MNC is granted exclusivity for the commercialization of CNC-based cosmetics products and is projected to introduce new products gradually throughout the contract.

February 2020: GranBio Technologies, a subsidiary of GranBio announced the signing of a supply partnership with Birla Carbon, an Indian company for the supply of biomass-based for the replacement of carbon black, an oil by-product used in the tire & rubber industry.

Nanocellulose Market Segmentation

Nanocellulose Type Outlook

• Microfibrillated Cellulose


• Cellulose Nanofibrils


• Cellulose Nanocrystals


• Bacterial Cellulose


• Others

Nanocellulose Application Outlook

• Cement & Composite Materials


• Textiles & Nonwovens


• Paper & Packaging


• Food Products


• Cosmetics & Toiletries


• Filter Materials


• Others

Nanocellulose Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America