Super Absorbent Polymer Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Sodium Polyacrylate & Polyacrylate/Polyacrylamide), By Application (Personal Hygiene, Agriculture, Medical, Industrial), By Regions, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global super absorbent polymer market size was estimated to be USD 9.29 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.4% from 2023 to 2030. The market is expected to be driven by the increasing demand for adult incontinence products. An increase in the number of patients suffering from urological diseases and defective bladder, rising ostomy surgeries of the bowel, and an increasing geriatric population are significant factors boosting the market over the forecast period. The growing prevalence of diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and Crohn’s disease coupled with rising awareness regarding adult incontinence products is expected to play a key role in shaping the global SAP market.

Key initiatives such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid undertaken by the Government of the U.S. have enabled a large percentage of the population of the country to have access to effective and improved healthcare facilities and services.

This has fueled the demand for branded drugs, medical devices, and healthcare services in the U.S., thereby driving the consumption of super absorbent polymer in the country for developing disposable medical connectors, syringes, depth filters, etc.

In addition, the constantly rising patient population in the U.S., in addition to the effects of the spread of COVID-19 at the community level in the country in 2020, is projected to lead to the increased demand for various plastic-based medical products such as syringes, gloves, adult diapers, and masks. This is anticipated to fuel the growth of the market in the U.S. in the coming years.

Application Insights

The increased demand from the personal hygiene segment globally is the main factor driving the market expansion. Moreover, rising adult incontinence and female hygiene product demand brought on by rising hygiene awareness is anticipated to fuel the market over the forecast period.

Growing geriatric population, especially in regions such as North America and Europe, is projected to aid the growth of the adult incontinence products segment over the forecast period. The popularity of the adult incontinence market, in terms of attracting new customers, among manufacturers in consumer goods market is increasing owing to its potential to sustain growth over a long period of time.

The global female hygiene products segment is expected to witness a significant growth in the coming years owing to rising per capita disposable income in several countries and changing lifestyle of the global population. In addition, growing awareness among the female population pertaining to health and hygiene is anticipated to drive this segment over the forecast period.

In terms of volume, baby diapers segment dominated the global super absorbent polymer market in 2022 and this trend is projected to continue over the forecast period. Growing population, rising awareness regarding hygiene, and deeper market penetration measures by companies are expected to assist the growth of the segment globally in the near future.

Rapid growth in novel agricultural applications owing to the superior water retention property exhibited by super absorbent polymers is expected to play a positive role in shaping the market over the forecast period. Government policies that encourage such agricultural usage are anticipated to aid the regional as well as global market growth.

Type Insights

By type, sodium polyacrylate was the largest segment of the super absorbent market in 2022, which accounted for a market share of over 85%. Sodium polyacrylates are used as a super-absorbing polymer, which is also known as water-lock. It is frequently used as a film forming, coatings, binding agent, emulsion stabilizer, and viscosity controlling agent in a number of industries, including consumer goods, sanitary, building & construction, electrical & electronics, and industrial items.

In addition, the increased focus of major players on technical advancements and inventions will broaden opportunities for the sodium polyacrylate market to expand in the years to come. However, sodium polyacrylate ingestion and inhalation can moderately irritate the eyes, skin, and respiratory system due to the harmful chemicals released from them.

Polyacrylamide is commonly used in the processing of minerals after mining in order to extract minerals from their ore.  Moreover, it is employed as flocculant in the processing of wastewater from mineral extraction. The demand for polyacrylamide is expected to grow at a significant rate owing to the exponential expansion in population and the rising requirement for water treatment.

The growing demand for the product is anticipated owing to the expanding use in water treatment applications across a number of industries, including tanneries, beverages, dyeing, and municipal wastewater treatment. Moreover, the market for super absorbent polymers is anticipated to be stimulated by the growing focus on minimizing the amount of untreated wastewater and harmful components.

Regional Insights

North America is one of the largest markets for the super absorbent polymers. Aging population has been a major driving factor in the region, which has resulted in increasing the market penetration of super absorbent polymer over the past few years. Rising awareness and social acceptance regarding a wide range of health issues has resulted in changing the demand landscape of the hygiene industry.

High consumer demand has prompted manufacturers to develop more cost effective and differentiate their product offerings. The baby diaper segment, which has witnessed significant growth over the past few years, is undergoing various structural changes in diaper structures. There is a growing demand for products with higher superabsorbent content, improvement in breathability and the comfort level.

The rise in demand from emerging economies such as China and India are expected to propel the super absorbent market. The market is witnessing a rapid growth in the region owing to the rising awareness for baby health, growing population, and rising disposable income.

In Central & South America, healthcare spending is expected to rise gradually in the coming years. Several initiatives are being undertaken by the governments in the region to improve public healthcare systems amid budget constraints. This is expected to drive the market during the forecast period.

The demand for super absorbent polymers in the MEA is expected to be driven by rapid population growth, high incidences of lifestyle-related disorders, and ambitious healthcare infrastructure development. The demand for superior technology plastic components is expected to increase significantly, thereby propelling the demand for super absorbent polymer in the region.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Strategic partnerships, capacity expansions, and new developments are popular strategies adopted by a majority of the players operating in the global super absorbent polymer market. In August 2021, LG Chem manufactures and exports the first bio-balanced Super Absorbent Polymer in large quantities. The first export focused on resource circulation activities and carbon-neutrality as part of its sustainability strategy to expand the use of eco-friendly materials for the production of hygienic products such as diapers and sanitary pads. Some of the prominent companies in the super absorbent polymer market are:

• BASF SE

• LG Chem

• Formosa Plastic Corporation

• SANYO CHEMICAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.

• SONGWON

• Evonik Industries AG

• KAO Corporation

• Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.

• Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co. Ltd.

• Yixing Danson Technology

Super Absorbent Polymer Market Report Scope

Global Super Absorbent Polymer Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the super absorbent polymer market report based of type, application, and region:

• Type Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Sodium Polyacrylate

  • Polyacrylate/Polyacrylamide

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Personal hygiene

    • Adult Incontinence Products

    • Female Hygiene Products

    • Baby Diapers

  • Agriculture

  • Medical

  • Industrial

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

    • South Korea

    • Australia

    • Southeast Asia

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

    • Argentina

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • United Arab Emirates (UAE)

    • South Africa