Water Soluble Polymer Market

• Growing Oil & Gas Industry Will Be the Growth Engine for the Market

In the oil and gas business, especially in the upstream and midstream segments, water-soluble polymers are widely used. It is employed in drilling, well completion, cementing, the production of oil and gas wells, the use of diverting agents, well stimulation, the management of deposit formation, and the treatment of oil and oil-contaminated systems. Oil companies heavily rely on chemically enhanced oil recovery and hydraulic fracturing processes to reach maximum production levels and meet escalating energy demand. 40% of the oil wells in the world are thought to be stimulated by hydraulic treatment.

The majority of these hydraulic fracturing procedures stimulate unconventional oil and gas reserves by using water-based fracturing fluid. In order to enhance the performance of water-based fluids in terms of proppant transport, fluid loss to the formation, and increase in fracture dimension, water-soluble polymer additives are used.

The plastic guar and its derivatives, xanthan gum, hydroxyethylcellulose, and hydrolyzed polyacrylamide are examples of these additives. Alkali surfactants, which are employed in the chemically enhanced oil recovery (CEOR) method to recover oil trapped in capillaries and increase well production life and profitability, are based on this principle. Water soluble plastic has been widely used by mud engineers to improve and control the drilling fluid's properties to meet the needs of certain oil and gas reservoirs. These polymers' great degree of customizability has made it possible to precisely control and improve the desired fluid characteristic.

Clay anti-swelling agent, fluid-loss control agent for mud, rheology modifier, solid suspending agent, and high temperature/pressure applications are just a few of the uses for these plastics in well drilling.August 2022: Jointly launched by BASF and Nippon Paint China, the leading coatings manufacturer, this is an environmentally friendly industrial packaging used for dry mortar series products of Nippon Paint. The new packaging material uses the Joncryl High-Performance Barrier (HPB), a water-based acrylic dispersion of BASF, as the barrier material.

The Global Water-Soluble Polymer Market Industry is projected to experience robust growth, with estimates indicating a valuation of 36.4 USD Billion in 2024 and a potential increase to 72.9 USD Billion by 2035. This growth trajectory suggests a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.51% from 2025 to 2035. Such projections reflect the increasing adoption of water-soluble polymers across various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, and personal care. The diverse applications and benefits of these polymers are likely to drive market expansion, positioning the industry for significant advancements in the coming years.

The Global Water-Soluble Polymer Market Industry experiences a notable surge in demand driven by the agricultural sector. Water-soluble polymers are increasingly utilized as soil conditioners and fertilizers, enhancing water retention and nutrient delivery. This trend is particularly evident in regions where water scarcity poses challenges to crop yields. For instance, the use of polyacrylamide in irrigation practices has shown to improve soil structure and reduce erosion. As the global population continues to grow, the agricultural sector is projected to expand, contributing to the market's valuation of 36.4 USD Billion in 2024 and potentially reaching 72.9 USD Billion by 2035.

The Global Water-Soluble Polymer Market Industry is significantly influenced by advancements in medical applications. Water-soluble polymers are increasingly employed in drug delivery systems, wound dressings, and tissue engineering. These materials facilitate controlled release of therapeutics, improving patient outcomes. For example, hydrogels derived from natural polymers are gaining traction in regenerative medicine. The growing emphasis on personalized medicine and biocompatibility is likely to bolster the market, as the industry adapts to evolving healthcare needs. This sector's expansion is expected to contribute to the overall market growth, with a projected CAGR of 6.51% from 2025 to 2035.

The Global Water-Soluble Polymer Market Industry is witnessing growth fueled by the personal care and cosmetics sector. Water-soluble polymers are integral in formulating various products, including shampoos, conditioners, and skincare items. Their ability to enhance texture, stability, and moisture retention makes them desirable in product formulations. The increasing consumer preference for high-quality personal care products is likely to drive demand for these polymers. As the global beauty and personal care market expands, the water-soluble polymer industry is expected to benefit, contributing to the projected market valuation of 36.4 USD Billion in 2024.

The Global Water-Soluble Polymer Market Industry is expanding due to emerging applications in the food industry. Water-soluble polymers are utilized as thickening agents, stabilizers, and emulsifiers in various food products. Their role in enhancing texture and shelf life is becoming increasingly recognized. For instance, guar gum and xanthan gum are commonly used in food formulations to improve viscosity and stability. As consumer preferences shift towards convenience foods and clean-label products, the demand for water-soluble polymers is likely to rise. This trend may significantly impact the market, aligning with the overall growth trajectory.

The Global Water-Soluble Polymer Market Industry is shaped by stringent environmental regulations and a growing emphasis on sustainability. Governments worldwide are increasingly mandating the use of eco-friendly materials, prompting industries to adopt water-soluble polymers as alternatives to traditional plastics. These polymers are biodegradable and reduce environmental impact, aligning with global sustainability goals. For instance, the European Union has implemented regulations encouraging the use of biodegradable materials in packaging. This shift not only supports environmental initiatives but also drives demand for water-soluble polymers, positioning the market for substantial growth in the coming years.

Rising demand from the wastewater treatment industry is anticipated to be the main driver in the Asia Pacific area. Due to growing environmental concerns and expenditures from corporate and governmental parties to stop ecological damage, the municipal and industrial wastewater treatment sector will expand. For instance, China intends to increase its investment in rural wastewater treatment systems by USD 18.5 billion during their 14th five-year plan (2021-2025), which follows an investment of USD 80.7 billion in city wastewater treatment systems during their 13th five-year plan (2015-2020). Water soluble polymers are produced and consumed in large quantities in China.

Given that the wastewater treatment sector is anticipated to grow over the course of the forecast period, there will likely be an increase in the demand for polymers like polyacrylamide in the region. Polyacrylamide is a common flocculating and coagulating agent in wastewater treatment.

Figure 2:  WATER-SOLUBLE POLYMER MARKET, BY REGION, 2022 & 2030 (USD BILLION)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, Market Research Future Database and Analyst Review

The market for water soluble polymers is extremely competitive, with major market players developing new products, partnering with other companies, and acquiring smaller companies to expand their production capabilities, product portfolios, and industries across the globe.

BASF and Nippon Paint China, the leading coatings manufacturer, have jointly launched eco-friendly industrial packaging that incorporates the Nippon Paint dry-mixed mortar series products. This new packaging material is commercialized for producing a dry mortar product of Nippon Paint, using BASF’s water-based acrylic dispersion Joncryl High-Performance Barrier (HPB) as the barrier material.

Kemira Oyj announced in February 2022 that it had begun global-scale production of its newly introduced polyacrylamide polymer based on biobased feedstock. The first shipment of commercial volumes has been dispatched to one of Helsinki Region Environmental Services (HSY) wastewater treatment plants for testing.

Researchers at the Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a peptide sensor in Nov 2021 that can discriminate polymers soluble in water from those entering sewers, which is another problem similar to microplastic pollution. It offers machine learning technology that uses peptides bonded polymer for the detection and quantification of pollutants simultaneously present in the solution.

In its two factories, starting in May 2021, LG Chem will produce bi-based polymers. ISCC Plus has certified LG Chem under nine bio-balanced products: SAP, PO(polyolefin), and PC(polycarbonate) compounds, among others.

Flexibility and slightly increased capacity were added to BASF’s Ludwigshafen plant producing water-soluble polyacrylate in January 2020. An expanded plant in specialty chemicals at the manufacturing stage is expected to provide enhanced capacity to BASF’s customers in household and commercial cleaning product industries, as well as the chemical and formulator industries.