Superabsorbent Polymers Market Size

Global Superabsorbent Polymers Market Overview

Superabsorbent Polymers Market Size was valued at USD 9.85 billion in 2023. The Superabsorbent Polymers industry is projected to grow from USD 10.91 Billion in 2024 to USD 22.30 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.35% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The growing population and Superabsorbent polymers acceptance outside the health care and personal care businesses are the key market drivers contributing to overall market expansion.

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

Superabsorbent Polymers Market Trends

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  The growing population and awareness about hygiene are driving the market growth.

  
  

The rising population and awareness of infant hygiene drive Market CAGR for Superabsorbent polymers. The industry will be increasingly impacted by several factors fueling the expansion of the superabsorbent polymer market during the projected period. The rising demand for diaper pants impacts the industry's value, and the expanding populations in countries like China and India are the main drivers of market growth. Another factor driving the market throughout the forecast period is the public's increased awareness of newborn cleanliness. During the projected period, the market will also be driven by the increase in superabsorbent polymers in the farming industry. Adult nappy sales will rise as a result of the rising elderly population in many areas, which will also boost the industry.

Additionally, Governments from different countries are working with manufacturers and medical experts to prioritize creating incontinence products as the rate of adult incontinence rises. The market for super absorbent polymers will increase as a result of new growth prospects for industry participants brought about by the rising per capita income. It is projected that the growing industry will produce and open new, expanding doors as a result of the rising hygiene consciousness among people in emerging nations. Moreover, Traditional superabsorbent polymers are not biodegradable and make up many landfills worldwide. As a result, investment in the development of highly absorbent polymers made from renewable resources would create fresh market possibilities on a  level. Superabsorbent polymers made from renewable resources are now substitutes for petrochemical-based polymers in the absorbency base of disposable diapers and other personal care products.

The need for safe patient secretion disposal free of infection during COVID-19 is expected to increase demand for superabsorbent polymers. Manufacturing companies created very effective superabsorbent gels that could clean up body fluids and COVID-19 scrubbings. Superabsorbent polymers are extensively used in producing wipers and diapers, and hospital demand for these products increased during the epidemic. As a result, businesses in this industry are boosting their ability to produce superabsorbent gels for disinfection.

For instance, The World Bank Group predicts that by 2050, there will be 2.08 billion people in the world between the ages of 0 and 14. As a result, it is anticipated that demand for superabsorbent polymers will increase throughout the projection period due to the rising infant population and growing need for diapers. Thus, driving the Superabsorbent Polymers market revenue.

By 2022, sanitary towels and diapers will be made of Superabsorbent polymers, or SAPs. Blood and urine are among the physiological fluids that these powerful compounds may absorb and hold onto for hundreds of times their initial weight. When SAPs landed on the personal hygiene scene in the early 1980s, they completely changed the personal care industry. The chemical sector now has to launch a fresh innovation wave with the goal of enhancing product sustainability. Because its primary constituents are generated from oil, SAPs, like most polymers, are neither renewable nor biodegradable. 

Superabsorbent Polymers Market Segment Insights

Superabsorbent Polymers Type Insights

The Superabsorbent Polymers market segmentation, based on types, includes Sodium polyacrylate, Polyacrylamide copolymer, and Others. Sodium polyacrylate dominated the market, accounting for 51% of the market share (USD 4.5 billion) in 2022. As more individuals accept the production of products in the superabsorbent category, the market segment will grow throughout the projected period and dominate the market for superabsorbent polymers.

Figure 1:  Superabsorbent Polymers Market, by Type, 2022 & 2032 (USD billion)

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

Superabsorbent Polymers Application Insights

The Superabsorbent Polymers market segmentation, based on Application, includes Health Care & Personal Care, Agriculture, Industry, Mining & Petroleum, and Others. The Health Care & Personal Care category generated the highest revenue share of about 65%  (USD 5.8 billion) in 2022. The rapid population increase, and medical equipment utilized in hospitals are credited with the growth. Every Region of the world is seeing an increase in demand for ultra-absorbent polymers. Additionally, the growing number of people ly between the ages of 0-14 is driving up demand for superabsorbent polymers used to make diapers and sanitary pads.

Superabsorbent Polymers Regional Insights

By Region, the research provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. The North American Superabsorbent Polymers will dominate this market, owing to an increase in population and use of diapers.

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:  Superabsorbent Polymers Share by Region 2022 (%)

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

Europe’s Superabsorbent Polymers market is anticipated to grow during the projected timeframe share due to the growing awareness of health care and personal care. Further, the German Superabsorbent Polymers market and the UK Superabsorbent Polymers market are anticipated to expand significantly during the projected timeframe in the European Region.

The Asia-Pacific Superabsorbent Polymers Market region holds the second highest market share. This is due to expanding awareness of hygiene and a growing population compared to other regions. Moreover, China’s Superabsorbent Polymers market dominates the market share, and India’s Superabsorbent Polymers market is expected to expand significantly during the projected timeframe in the Asia-Pacific region.

For instance, In the Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pacific, particularly in India and China, there will likely be a rise in consumer demand for superabsorbent polymers as a result of rising birth rates, higher disposable incomes, and growing public awareness of hygiene.

Superabsorbent Polymers Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Leading market players are investing heavily in research and development to produce new products, which will help the Superabsorbent Polymers market. Market participants are also undertaking strategic activities (organic or inorganic) to strengthen their international footprint, with important market developments including new product lines, partnership agreements, mergers and acquisitions, investments and capex, and strategic alliances with other organizations. The superabsorbent polymer industry must offer sustainable and affordable products to compete in fragmented markets.

Manufacturing regionally to minimize operational expenses is one of the key business tactics organizations use in the Superabsorbent Polymers industry to benefit customers and expand their market share. The superabsorbent polymer industry has offered significant advantages to the healthcare industry. Major players in the Superabsorbent Polymers market, including BASF SE, Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, SDP Co. Ltd., Formosa Plastics Corporation, KAO Corporation, LG Chem Ltd., SDP Co. Ltd., Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co. Ltd., Songwon Industrial Co. Ltd., and Yixing Danson Technology, are attempting to capture untapped markets by investing in research and development operations through advanced products.

Nippon Shokubai is a Japanese chemical firm that offers products and services in accordance with customer needs. It was founded in 1941 under the name Osame Gosei kagaku kogyo, and in 1949 it changed its name to Nippon Shokubai. The company is a leader in producing its major products and producing acrylic acid and superabsorbent polymers. In November 2020, Nippon Shokubai, LiveDo Corporation, and Total Care System, three Japanese companies, collaborated to create several innovations to support systems that recycle disposable diapers. The extremely absorbent polymers in old diapers have been the subject of novel recycling technologies developed by these three companies. The aforementioned method can be utilized with a wide variety of superabsorbent polymers that are available all over the world.

Founded in Germany in 1865 and active in about 30 nations, BASF SE manufactures chemicals and plastics. Oil and natural gas, chemicals, fertilizers, plastics, dyes and pigments, salt, inks and printing accessories, electronic accessories, cosmetic bases, medications, and other associated machinery and goods are all produced by the BASF Group. Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany serves as the headquarters. In March 2021, BASF made a $30,1 million investment in an emerging hygiene business innovation center. It will expand its super absorbent capabilities by constructing a cutting-edge Super Absorbents Excellence Centre at its Verbund location in Antwerp, Belgium.

In 2024, BASF launches Ccycled® goods made in the United States with feedstock derived from plastic trash. Customers can purchase ISCC+ certified advanced recycled building blocks from the BASF TotalEnergies Petrochemicals (BTP) facility in Port Arthur, Texas, by utilizing the company's global ChemCycling® expertise. In the traditional production method, plastic waste is converted into recycled feedstock, which is used in chem-cycling to partially replace fossil fuels. Using a mass balancing technique, the improved recycled building blocks are linked to the recycled feedstock. These building blocks can be utilized to create a wide range of American-made BASF goods, such as polyurethanes, engineered plastics, and ultra absorbent polymers.

Key Companies in the Superabsorbent Polymers market include.

• BASF SE


• Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd.


• Evonik Industries AG


• SDP Co. Ltd.


• Formosa Plastics Corporation


• KAO Corporation


• LG Chem Ltd.


• SDP Co. Ltd.


• Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co. Ltd.


• Songwon Industrial Co. Ltd.


• Yixing Danson Technology

Superabsorbent Polymers Industry Developments

March 2021: BASF made a $30,1 million investment in an emerging hygiene business innovation center. It will expand its super absorbent capabilities by constructing a cutting-edge Super Absorbents Excellence Centre at its Verbund location in Antwerp, Belgium.

November 2020: Nippon Shokubai, LiveDo Corporation, and Total Care System, three Japanese companies, collaborated to create several innovations to support systems that recycle disposable diapers. The extremely absorbent polymers in old diapers have been the subject of novel recycling technologies developed by these three companies. The aforementioned method can be utilized with a wide variety of superabsorbent polymers that are available all over the world.

October 2018:  Nippon Shokubai, In its current site in Zwijndrecht, Netherlands, increased its superabsorbent polymer production capacity, where the plant can produce 1,000,000 tonnes of goods per year.

Superabsorbent Polymers Market Segmentation

Superabsorbent Polymers Type Outlook

• Sodium polyacrylate


• Polyacrylamide copolymer


• Others

Superabsorbent Polymers Application Outlook

• Health Care & Personal Care


• Agriculture


• Industry


• Mining & Petroleum


• Others

Superabsorbent Polymers 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