Super Absorbent Polymer Market

Historical and Future Outlook

Future Market Insight (FMI) has been tracking global sales of super absorbent polymers for a decade. According to our analysis, the global super absorbent polymer market was valued at nearly US$ 7 bn in 2014, equaling a volume of 2,119.5 (‘000 tons). In 2020, global consumption reached 2,892.4 (‘000 tons), valued at nearly US$ 9 billion.

During the assessment period, Future Market Insights projects global demand to remain steady, with new hotspots emerging. The impact of COVID-19 impact on this market has also been analyzed in the new edition (2021-2031) of the study.

Why Personal Hygiene Industry Remains a Mainstay for SAP Growth?

The super absorbent polymers have a wide range of applications across a range of industries. Personal hygiene industry continues to be one of the most lucrative, accounting for bulk of the demand

Increasing awareness of personal hygiene continues to be a key influencing factors, especially in developing countries. This is especially true in rural areas where women have been using traditional products of questionable quality during their menstrual cycles.

The use of disposable hygiene products such as sanitary napkins, adult protective underwear and diapers, baby diapers and more, is increasing. According to Menstrual Hygiene Day, “there are over 355 million menstruating women and girls in India, 4 but millions of women across the country still face significant barriers to a comfortable and dignified experience with menstrual hygiene management (MHM).” The personal hygiene segment is one of the fastest growing segments of the super absorbent polymers market.  

Due to the increase in the birth rate, baby diapers manufacturers are witnessing rapid growth. The diaper manufacturers are coming out with new and innovative ideas to further expand the sales of the product. The growing population is leading to the increase in usage of baby diapers and sanitary napkins. Not only this, but adult diapers are also in demand mainly because the aging population has a lot to benefit from them. Problems like Urinary Incontinence and Stress Incontinence are leading to increase in the usage of adult diapers. 

As mentioned above, studies suggest that, “Approximately 75% of the superabsorbent polymers used worldwide are sold in diaper products from the key players in the market.” The demand of baby and adult disposable diapers is projected to keep growing at a significant CAGR especially because of the demand from developing countries and emerging economies. 

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, “Most childcare centers, even free and subsidized facilities require parents to provide a day’s supply of disposable diapers.” This has given the companies an opportunity to expand themselves in the disposable diapers market. For instance, Sumitomo Seika came out with Aqua Keep HP which is a very high level super absorbent polymer basically used for the creation of thin and disposable baby and adult diapers. Seeing the rate of return, the key players have been investing in the super absorbent polymers market at global levels and are also increasing and improving the SAP production.  

How is Sustainability Creating Opportunities for SAP Manufacturers?

The daily care products and super absorbent polymers go hand in hand. The super absorbent polymers play a very important role in contributing immensely to the production of daily care products such as diapers and sanitary napkins.

With the emerging concepts such as sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the manufacturers are focusing on re-creating these products with utmost innovation. This eventually is leading to the creation of new opportunities and highly profitable situations for the 

Bio based materials are increasingly being used in the production of super absorbent polymers. These materials have excellent water retention properties in comparison with the synthetic super absorbent polymers. Advancements in the agricultural sector are forecasted to immensely promote the usage of bio based materials in the production of SAP. 

As per local women’s project, “Most sanitary pads use plastic that requires as long as 800 years to decompose”. As sustainability is gaining popularity, the manufacturers are focusing on the sustainable alternatives of the synthetic super absorbent polymers, which is ostensibly leading to the creation of new and interesting opportunities. The emphasis on sustainability by the SAP industry has compelled the researchers to put in efforts for coming out with various eco-friendly super absorbent polymers. 

Category-wise Insights

Super Absorbent Polymer Industry Banking on Innovation

In order to grow substantially in the industry, innovation is the key. The main players are very efficiently utilizing the available opportunities to gain higher profits in the market. This is one of the industries projected to remain highly innovation-led.  

The leading players are developing super absorbent polymers and launching innovative products making utmost use of their capabilities. Strategic planning and its effective implementation is expected to increase the demand of super absorbent polymers at global levels. For instance, Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd, is making use of super absorbent polymers in a varied range of products. 

Impact of COVID-19 on Super Absorbent Polymers Supply-Demand

Covid-19 infected people of all ages across the world. The medical supplies and life support products industry across the globe witnessed bolstering growth with the outbreak of covid 19. Leaving a high impact on almost every industry, covid 19 pandemic definitely showed a downfall in the super absorbent polymers Market as well. With the industry growing at a significant rate until the pandemic hit the world in the beginning of 2020.

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The global demand for super absorbent polymers witnessed a decline in 2020. However, the industry is on recovery path as with the outbreak of COVID-19 came the awareness of personal hygiene which is one of the leading drivers of the SAP industry. The need of the hour is the innovative development of super absorbent polymers.

Key Challenges for Super Absorbent Polymer Manufacturers

The increasing awareness of sustainability and personal hygiene, the sanitary napkins are rapidly being replaced by sustainable and hygienic alternatives like menstrual cups and tampons. Menstrual cups effectively cut down cost, lead to savings and have much reduced effects on the environment as compared to the sanitary napkins.

Further, although awareness is rising, it is important to note that women in many societies still are unaware of the health benefit of using hygienic products. Use of traditional cleaning methods of questionable quality continue to be a deterrent for market players.

Country wise Insights

How is Super Absorbent Polymers Demand Evolving in US?

According to realdiaper.org, 95% of mothers in the U.S. solely use disposable diapers for their children. The super polymers market is projected to grow owing to increased usage of diapers across the age group of 0-5 years. The mothers buy the diapers in bulk from warehouses. 

The statistics also reveal that, “One in three mothers in the U.S. (36%) and nearly one in five in Canada (18%) report cutting back on basic essentials like food, utilities, or child care in order to afford enough diapers for their children.”

How India’s Personal Hygiene Industry Continues to Create Opportunities

As mentioned above, “there are over 355 million menstruating women and girls in India, 4 but millions of women across the country still face significant barriers to a comfortable and dignified experience with menstrual hygiene management (MHM).” The personal hygiene segment is one of the fastest growing segments of the super absorbent polymers market. 

The Government of India is actively organizing awareness programs on the importance of personal and menstrual hygiene amongst women. This eventually is leading to the increased usage of sanitary napkins and expansion and growth of the super absorbent polymers market. 

Opportunities in Adult Incontinence Products for European SAP Industry

According to WeForum, Europe is the continent with the oldest population. The European super polymers market is expanding owing to the high demand for adult diapers.

The older population in Europe prefers using adult diapers because of its easy management of urine and fecal discharge, high absorbing capacity, emergency situation management, easy wear and leakage free and many more. “Europeans are living longer than ever before and the age profile of society is rapidly developing”, says Eurostat. This is also the reason why the european government is taking various measures for the increasing old population. 

Competitive Analysis of the Super Absorbent Polymers Market

The innovatively developed super absorbent polymers and their designs have gained a wide popularity. The surge in demand has led to the increasing competition in the industry. For instance, Archer Daniels Midland Company signed an agreement with LG Chem in 2019 for the development of sustainable technology (Bio based Acrylic Acid) for super absorbent polymers to be used in sanitary napkins and other products such as baby and adult diapers. 

The increasing numbers of accidents have increased the demand for super absorbent dressings for highly effective wound care. Companies see this as an opportunity to expand and grow in the market. Ulcers, burns, surgical wounds, accidental wounds and more factors in the healthcare sector act as the motivating factors for the industry. 

 The leading players in the super absorbent polymers market are-

• BASF SE
• Evonik Industries AG
• Kao Corporation
• Sumitomo Seika Chemicals
• LG Chem
• SDP Global Co Ltd. (SDP)
• NIPPON SHOKUBAI Co. Ltd. 

*The list is not exhaustive, and only for representational purposes. Full competitive intelligence with SWOT analysis available in the report

Report Scope

Key Questions Answered in Report

• Which are the top companies operating in this industry?

  Some of the top companies operating in the super absorbent polymers are

  • BASF SE
  • Evonik Industries AG
  • Kao Corporation
  • Sumitomo Seika Chemicals
  • LG Chem
  • SDP Global Co Ltd. (SDP)
  • NIPPON SHOKUBAI Co. Ltd.

• Which are some of the lucrative markets for super absorbent polymers?

  US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, China, and India are some of the lucrative markets

• Which industry accounts for highest demand for super absorbent polymers?

  The personal hygiene industry continues to be one of the most prominent for super absorbent polymers.

• Which are the key applications for super absorbent polymers?

  Presently, key applications of super absorbent polymers are Hospitals, Surgical Centres, Specialized Clinics, Nursing Facilities, varied age groups and others, which will aid demand growth over the coming years.

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• Is this research conducted by FMI?

  Yes, the research has been conducted by expert analysts of FMI, through a combination of primary research and secondary research. To know more about how the research was conducted, you can speak to a research analyst.

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• What are the sources of secondary research?

  FMI conducts extensive secondary research through proprietary databases, paid databases, and information available in the public domain. We refer to industry associations, company press releases, annual reports, investor presentations, and research papers. More information about desk research is available upon request.  

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Segmentation by Category

By Product Type

• Sodium Polyacrylate  
• Polyacrylamide Copolymer
• Ethylene-Maleic Anhydride Copolymer
• Polyvinyl Alcohol Copolymer
• Starch Grafted Polymers

By End-Use

• Diapers
• Other Hygienic Products

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Japan
• Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ)
• Middle East and Africa (MEA)
• Latin America