Superabsorbent Polymers Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Type (Sodium Polyacrylate, Polyacrylamide Copolymer), Formulation, Application (Personal Care & Hygiene, Medical, Construction), and Sector (Agriculture, Packaging, Health & Wellness) - Global Forecast to 2031

Superabsorbent Polymers Market Size & Forecast

The Superabsorbent Polymers Market is expected to reach $14.6 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2024 to 2031.The growth of the superabsorbent polymers market is driven by the rising demand for SAPs in personal care products manufacturing, the increasing adoption of SAPs in agriculture for water management & improved crop yield, and rising awareness about hygiene & healthcare. Furthermore, advancements in bio-based SAPs and the increasing application of SAPs in the oil & gas, food packaging, and agriculture sectors are expected to generate significant growth opportunities for players operating in the superabsorbent polymers market.

Superabsorbent Polymers Market Growth Drivers

Rising Demand for SAPs in Personal Care Products Manufacturing

Superabsorbent Polymers (SAPs) are highly effective in absorbing and retaining large amounts of liquid, making them indispensable in the manufacture of personal care products such as diapers, adult incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and even some medical products.

The incorporation of SAPs in personal care products enhances their performance by providing better leakage protection, odor control, and overall comfort, which leads to increased consumer satisfaction and loyalty to brands that offer such advanced features. Also, with growing awareness about hygiene and health-related issues, consumers are more inclined to choose personal care products that offer superior protection and comfort. Thus, SAPs enable manufacturers to develop products that meet customers’ increased expectations. Superabsorbent polymers’ ability to absorb and retain large quantities of liquid far surpasses traditional materials, providing an efficient and reliable solution. Thus, as consumer awareness regarding hygiene and comfort continues to increase, the demand for personal care products incorporating SAPs is expected to rise further. Several companies are constantly investing in research & development to create more advanced SAPs that offer higher absorbency, improved softness, and reduced environmental impact. These benefits are increasing the adoption of SAPs in the manufacture of personal care products, driving the growth of this market.

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Increasing Adoption of SAPs in Agriculture for Water Management & Improved Crop Yield

Farmers’ growing awareness about the benefits of SAPs in enhancing water retention in soil and improving crop yield has increased the demand for these polymers in the agriculture sector. As more farmers adopt SAPs for agricultural applications, the overall demand for SAP products is expected to increase further.

SAPs are hydrophilic polymers that can absorb and retain large amounts of water relative to their own mass. This property makes them valuable in agricultural applications, particularly in regions facing water scarcity or irregular rainfall patterns. Also, the demand from the agricultural sector has encouraged manufacturers to innovate and develop SAP formulations optimized for agricultural applications, including SAPs with enhanced water absorption capacity, biodegradability, compatibility with different soil types and crops, and other desirable characteristics. Thus, the increasing adoption of SAPs in agriculture is driving the growth of this market.

Superabsorbent Polymers Market Opportunities

Advancements in Bio-based SAPs

Advancements in bio-based superabsorbent polymers have been a significant focus of research and development in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based SAPs. Advances in bioprocessing technologies, including enzymatic or microbial fermentation processes, have enabled the efficient conversion of renewable feedstocks into bio-based SAPs. These techniques offer precise control over polymer structure and properties, producing SAPs with improved performance and environmental characteristics.

Synthetic biology approaches allow for the design and engineering of microorganisms to produce specific polymers or polymer precursors. By harnessing genetic engineering techniques, researchers can tailor microorganisms to biosynthesize bio-based SAPs with the desired properties, enhancing their performance and sustainability. Moreover, advances in manufacturing processes and scale-up technologies are facilitating the commercial production of bio-based SAPs. Optimizing production efficiency, reducing manufacturing costs, and ensuring product consistency are key challenges that researchers and industry partners are addressing to accelerate the adoption of bio-based SAPs across various markets. Thus, the development of more advanced SAP products is expected to boost their adoption across multiple markets, generating growth opportunities for market players.

Superabsorbent Polymers Market Challenges

Stringent Regulations & Standards for the Use & Disposal of SAP Products

Stringent regulations and standards for the use and disposal of SAP products are primarily focused on mitigating potential environmental and health risks associated with these materials. These regulations typically cover various aspects, including production, usage, labeling, transportation, and disposal of SAP products. Developing SAP products that comply with increasingly stringent regulations demands substantial research and development efforts. Regulations often impose restrictions on the disposal of SAP products due to their non-biodegradable nature and potential environmental impact. These challenges hamper the development of the superabsorbent polymers market.

Superabsorbent Polymers Market Analysis: Key Findings

By Type: The Sodium Polyacrylate Segment to Dominate the Superabsorbent Polymers Market in 2024

Based on type, the superabsorbent polymers market is broadly segmented into sodium polyacrylate, polyacrylamide copolymer, and other superabsorbent polymers. In 2024, the sodium polyacrylate segment is expected to account for the largest share of over 78.0% of the superabsorbent polymers market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the ability of sodium polyacrylate to absorb much larger quantities of liquids compared to its own mass, its high absorbency & retention capabilities, the growing demand for disposable personal hygiene products, and increasing consumer awareness about hygiene and comfort.

However, the polyacrylamide copolymer segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to increasing awareness about the benefits of polyacrylamide copolymers in various applications, including wastewater treatment, agriculture, and personal care, the surging demand for enhanced oil recovery techniques, and the rising need for efficient water management and conservation.

By Formulation: The Granular Formulation Segment to Dominate the Superabsorbent Polymers Market in 2024

Based on formulation, the superabsorbent polymers market is broadly segmented into powder formulation, granular formulation, and flake formulation. In 2024, the granular formulation segment is expected to account for the largest share of the superabsorbent polymers market. Granular formulations allow for a higher surface area-to-volume ratio, enabling more efficient absorption of liquids compared to other forms like powders or flakes. Granules can be manufactured with consistent size and shape, leading to uniform performance in various applications. This uniformity ensures predictable behavior and performance, which is critical for industries like agriculture and hygiene.These benefits of granular formulation contribute to the segment’s large share.

However, the powder formulation segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Powder formulation offers high surface area-to-volume ratios, which enhances absorption efficiency. This factor is crucial in applications where rapid absorption of liquids is required, such as in hygiene products like diapers and sanitary napkins. Powdered SAP formulations allow for precise control over particle size distribution, chemical composition, and cross-linking density. This flexibility enables manufacturers to tailor SAPs to meet specific performance requirements for different applications. These benefits of powder formulation drive the growth of this segment.

By Application: The Personal Care & Hygiene Segment to Dominate the Superabsorbent Polymers Market in 2024

Based on application, the superabsorbent polymers market is broadly segmented into personal care & hygiene, packaging & absorbents, self-healing concrete & sealants, medical dressings, soil moisture retention, spill containment, and other applications. In 2024, the personal care & hygiene segment is expected to account for the largest share of over 67.0% of the superabsorbent polymers market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increasing consumer demand for personal care products offering enhanced comfort and convenience, the growing demand for leakage protection and odor control in diapers, adult incontinence products, and feminine hygiene items, and advancements in SAP technologies enabling improved absorption and retention capabilities.

However, the medical dressings segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing demand for superabsorbent polymers in the manufacture of advanced wound care products and the growing need to reduce the frequency of dressing changes and minimize disruption in the wound healing process.

By Sector: The Health & Wellness Segment to Dominate the Superabsorbent Polymers Market in 2024

Based on sector, the superabsorbent polymers market is broadly segmented into agriculture, packaging & industrial, construction & civil engineering, health & wellness, medical, oil & gas, and other sectors. In 2024, the health & wellness segment is expected to account for the largest share of over 66.0% of the superabsorbent polymers market. The large market share of this segment is attributed to the increasing demand for advanced personal care products with superior absorption and leakage protection properties, the growing emphasis on hygiene and sanitation in healthcare and hygiene applications, rising awareness about the importance of effective wound management and infection prevention, and the high adoption of SAP-based products in adult incontinence care.

However, the medical segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing production of medical products with high absorption capacities, the growing use of SAPs in surgical and medical dressings to enhance patient comfort and promote faster healing, the increasing development of biocompatible and biodegradable materials for medical applications, and the growing use of SAPs in drug delivery systems as carriers for controlled and targeted drug release.

Geographic Analysis

Asia-Pacific to Dominate the Superabsorbent Polymers Market in 2024

In 2024, Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share of over 42.0% of the superabsorbent polymers market. Asia-Pacific’s large market share is mainly attributed to the increasing awareness about personal hygiene, the rising adoption of hygiene & healthcare products, and increasing government initiatives promoting personal hygiene, healthcare, and infant care in the region. Also, the increasing adoption of SAPs for medical applications, including wound dressings and disposable medical products, and the rising demand for sustainable and biodegradable personal care products support the region’s large market share.

Moreover, Asia-Pacific is also projected to register the highest CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period.

Superabsorbent Polymers Market: Key Companies

The report offers a competitive analysis based on an extensive assessment of the product portfolios and geographic presence of leading market players and the key growth strategies adopted by them over the past 3 to 4 years. The key players operating in the superabsorbent polymers market include BASF SE (Germany), Evonik Industries AG (Germany), Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. (Japan), Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co., Ltd. (Japan), LG Chem Ltd. (South Korea), Formosa Plastics Corporation (Taiwan), Sanyo Chemical Industries, Ltd. (Japan), Yixing Danson Technology (China), Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd. (South Korea), San-Dia Polymers Global Co. Ltd. (Japan), Kao Corporation (Japan), Zhejiang Weilong Polymer Material Co., Ltd (China), Quan Zhou Banglida Technology Industry Co., Ltd. (China), Shandong Nuoer Biological Technology Co., Ltd. (China), Wanhua Chemical (Yantai) Sales Co., Ltd. (China), Sinofert Holdings Limited (China), and Ecovia Renewables Inc. (U.S.).

Superabsorbent Polymers Industry Overview: Latest Developments from Key Industry Players

• In March 2024, Germany’s Evonik signed a deal to sell its superabsorbents business to the International Chemical Investors Group (Luxembourg), a privately held industrial group headquartered in Germany.

• In October 2023, BASF SE (Germany) started production in its state-of-the-art Superabsorbents Excellence Center at its Verbund site in Antwerp, Belgium.

• In February 2023, NAGASE & CO., LTD. (Japan) and the NAGASE Group’s core manufacturing company, Nagase ChemteX Corporation (Japan), along with Hayashibara Co., Ltd. (Japan), jointly developed a super absorbent polymer (SAP) with absorption properties equal or greater than existing products, while having a high biomass content from an increased proportion of bio-based materials.
• In September 2022, Sanyo Chemical Industries (Japan) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary SDP Global Co. (Japan) had developed an eco-friendly Superabsorbent Polymer (SAP) made using plant-based biomass as part of its raw materials and acquired the Biomass Mark certified by the Japan Organics Recycling Association.

Superabsorbent Polymers Market Research Summary

Key questions answered in the superabsorbent polymers market report: