Nitrocellulose Market Analysis

Global Nitrocellulose Market Overview

The Nitrocellulose Market Size was valued at USD 0.9 Billion in 2023. The nitrocellulose industry is projected to grow from USD 0.95 Billion in 2024 to USD 1.41 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Nitrocellulose, also called cellulose nitrate, is a pulp-like substance formed by exposing cellulose to a nitrating agent, particularly nitric acid. It is a flammable compound that is used in gunpowder, paints, and lacquers. Nitrocellulose is also used in plastic films, wood coatings, and inks due to the properties it imparts such as durability, adhesion, high solubility, and faster drying. The demand for nitrocellulose is expected to grow due to its several applications ranging from explosives to plastic films, therefore growing the nitrocellulose market.

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

Nitrocellulose Market Trends

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  The rising need in the automotive paint industry is boosting the boost growth.

  
  

Nitrocellulose-based paints find applications in the automotive paint industry as well. These paints possess several favorable qualities, such as quick drying ability and compatibility with a wide range of additives. However, with time, there have been numerous substitutes for nitrocellulose-based paints with properties that are superior to the above-mentioned ones. Nitrocellulose-based paints are one of the oldest types of paints used as automotive paints. These paints have lost their market share over the years due to the availability of superior substitutes. Nitrocellulose lacquer is thin, easy to apply, and provides a glossy finish.

Additionally, there are certain drawbacks as well, such as low resistance to scratches & pollution, low operational life, as well as the emission of large quantities of organic solvents into the atmosphere. The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected the market demand from various end-use industries, such as automotive paints, printing inks, and wood coatings, due to the impact of the nationwide lockdowns and shutting down of manufacturing units. The pandemic had affected the automotive industry, due to which, the production of automobiles had disruptively halted. This further contributed to the decline in the automotive sector, which affected the demand for nitrocellulose used in automotive paints.

A new style of packaging for Fazer's Oat Rice Pies was co-developed in 2024 by UPM Specialty Papers and Fazer. An inventive paper alternative that is simpler to recycle and maintains the safety of the rice pies within has replaced the conventional plastic laminated packaging paper. The WorldStar, ScanStar, and New Wood competitions have acknowledged the award-winning packaging, which is already available in the chilled food sections of Finnish shops. The new packaging for Fazer's Oat Rice Pie is consistent with UPM's Biofore strategy and Fazer's Sustainable Packaging Vision. After more than two years of meticulous development work, the new packaging method guarantees the package's recyclability without sacrificing food safety.

In 2023, Seigwerk launched a new product for paper plates and inner coating for food boxes. The product is water-based DFC barrier coating designed to replace PE and other restricted coating such as single use paper plates.

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc., a global leader in High Purity Cellulose, 2021 has employed Houlihan Lokey as its financial advisor to review the potential sale of its paperboard and high-yield pulp assets located at its Temiscaming site, thus signaling a significant shift in business strategy that includes reviewing of strategic options with respect to certain businesses it owns and operates as well as merger, acquisition or other similar transactions.

Nitrocellulose Market Segment Insights

Nitrocellulose Application Insights

The Nitrocellulose Market segmentation, based on Application, includes Automotive Paints, Wood Coatings, and Printing Inks. The printing ink application segment dominated the global industry in 2022 and accounted for the highest revenue share of more than 27.85% of the total revenue. Its high share is attributed to technological development and the rise in demand for eco-friendly inks. The printing ink market is both an application and customer-specific based business. Its major applications are in the packaging and logistics industry. It also has a high demand for digital inks, outdoor signage, and inkjet printing. Rising concerns for the environment are influencing the government authorities to modernize the standard of the printing industry. The use of nitrocellulose-based lamination ink in flexography and gravure printing gives high-quality and strong color paint results. These lamination-based inks are trending in the packaging industry because of their high laminated bond strength, no odor, and little solvent retention.  

Figure 2: Nitrocellulose Market, by Application, 2023 & 2030 (USD Billion)

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

Nitrocellulose Regional Insights

By region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific occupies the major share of the Nitrocellulose Market. The rising construction activities in developing countries are growing the demand for wood coatings. Additionally, the high demand for nitrocellulose for leather finishing is also growing in the nitrocellulose market.

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

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

In Europe, the demand for nitrocellulose is increasing due to the growing consumption of automotive paints due to the presence of major automobile manufacturers. North America has witnessed high demand for nitrocellulose due to growth in the furniture industry for coating wood. In Latin America and the Middle East & Africa, the growth in the nitrocellulose market is primarily because of the high demand for inks.

Nitrocellulose 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 Nitrocellulose 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 Nitrocellulose 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 Nitrocellulose. 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 global presence. To grow and thrive in a market climate that is becoming more competitive and growing, competitors in the Nitrocellulose industry must offer affordable products.

Manufacturing locally to cut operating costs is one of the main business tactics manufacturers use in the global Nitrocellulose 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 Nitrocellulose market players, including Nitro Quimica, Dupont Specialty Solutions, Hagedorn AG, Nitro Cellulose Group, and others, are attempting to increase market demand by funding R&D initiatives.

DuPont Specialty Products USA is a company providing technology-based materials and ingredients. It focuses on electronics, transportation, building and construction, health and wellness, and food and worker safety markets.

Also,

EURENCO is a company specializing in the chemical synthesis and transformation of energetic molecules for the defense and commercial markets. The company develops, manufactures, and provides military explosives, explosives for oil and gas perforation and mining, propellants, combustible items, nitrocellulose, and diesel fuel additives. Its explosive filling and propelling charge solutions are customized for warheads and missiles,

Key Companies in the Nitrocellulose market include

• Atomax Chemicals Co., Ltd.


• Nitro Quimica


• Hubei Xuefei Chemical


• Hengshui Orient Chemical Co., Ltd.


• Nobel NC


• IVM Chemicals


• Synthesia


• Nantong Tailida Chemical Co., Ltd.


• Nitro Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.

Nitrocellulose Industry Developments

December 2023: DuPont announced today that Coryor Surface Treatment Company Ltd and Nippon Paint Taiwan have unveiled a range of novel products, among them being printed Tedlar PVF solutions and PVF coating in Taipei Building Show, which is the largest building materials exhibition in Taiwan.

October 2023: Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc., a global leader in High Purity Cellulose, announced that it had hired Houlihan Lokey as its financial adviser to explore the possible sale of its paperboard and high-yield pulp assets located at Temiscaming.

DuPont established new relationships in 2023 with Coryor Surface Treatment Company and Nippon Paint Taiwan, where each company introduced innovative products, including printed Tedlar PVF solutions and PVF coatings, during the Taipei Building Show held in Taiwan’s biggest trade fair for construction materials. These were strategically done during Taipei’s Largest Building Materials Exhibition, showing improvements in surface treatment technologies.

Nitro Química, one of the world’s leading nitrocellulose manufacturers, diversified into Brazilian agribusiness through strategic acquisitions made in 2023. As part of this move, Nitro Química enters into agribusiness operations, thereby expanding its portfolio beyond traditional chemical production activities.

Hubei Xingfa Chemicals Group has executed an Equity Purchase Agreement to acquire an additional 18.785% minority stake in Hubei Taisheng Chemical from ABC Financial Asset Investment at CNY 510 million cash outlay on September 13th, 2021. The deal was funded internally.

Nitrocellulose Market Segmentation

Nitrocellulose Application Outlook

• Automotive Paints


• Wood Coatings


• Printing Inks

Nitrocellulose 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