Global Specialty P&P Chemicals Market to Reach $22,829 Million by 2023

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, Portland, Ore., USA, titled, Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemicals Market by Type: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023, the global specialty pulp and paper chemicals market was valued at $15,568 million in 2016, and is projected to reach $22,829 million by 2023, registering a CAGR of 5.6% from 2017 to 2023. In 2016, the functional chemicals segment

Specialty pulp and paper chemicals are the raw materials used to produce specialty paper. These are the integral part of manufacturing processes for paper, and reduce the consumption of water and energy. They also improve the optical and functional properties of paper such as color, texture, brightness, strength, printing ability, and others during the paper manufacturing process. Some of the specialty paper chemicals include: sodium hydrosulfite, hydrogen peroxide, and chlorine, which are used as bleaching agents; sodium silicate, enzymes, and various surfactants used in the deinking process; and alkyl ketene dimers, and alkenyl succinic anhydride used for sizing. Specialty paper has wide applications, which include printing, labeling, and packaging in various sectors such as paper, food, textile, retail, and packaging.

The recycling of paper has gained considerable importance in the global paper industry during the past decade. The increased use of recycled paper results in an increased requirement for specialty pulp and paper chemicals. In addition, the demand for functional chemicals in various applications such as packaging, printing, and decoration is on an increase, thus driving the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market.

The functional chemicals segment of specialty chemicals includes different types of dry-strength additives, wet-strength resins, fluorescent whitening, and sizing agents. The wide applications of specialty paper in different sectors demand different characteristics of papers related to its color, brightness, sizing, texture, and others. The use of functional chemicals has increased to meet the needs of the paper manufacturing industry, which contributes to the growth of the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market. However, due to the adverse effects of chemicals on environment and human health, stringent regulations are drafted about their usage in manufacturing of specialty paper, which hampers the growth of the market. In addition, fluctuations in the price of raw materials and chemicals required for paper production is expected to restrict the growth of the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market.

Nevertheless, specialty pulp and paper chemicals offer benefits such as improvement in productivity, reduced water, raw materials, and energy consumption that help control the overall cost of operation providing lucrative opportunities for the market in the upcoming years. Moreover, the use of new enzymes in the production of specialty papers is also anticipated to provide great opportunities for the specialty pulp and paper chemicals market during the forecast period.

The functional chemical segment is expected to be the fastest growing segment, at an estimated CAGR of 6.3% from 2017 to 2023.
The bleaching and RCF chemical segment is expected to account for the highest market share and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2017 to 2023.
Asia-Pacific accounted for the largest market share in the global specialty pulp and paper chemicals, growing at a CAGR of 7.4%.
In 2016, the U.S. accounted for the largest market share, growing at a CAGR of 4.1%, closely followed by China, which is growing at an estimated CAGR of 7.9% from 2017 to 2023.
LAMEA is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR of 5.8%.

Key players operating in the specialty pulp and paper chemical market are AkzoNobel, Ashland, Buckman Laboratories International, BASF, Kemira, SNF Floerger, The Dow Chemical Co., Evonik Industries, Nalco, and Shell Chemicals.