Super Absorbent Polymer Market By Type (Sodium Polyacrylate, Polyacrylamide Copolymer, and Other), By Application (Personal Hygiene, Healthcare, Agriculture, and Other), By Region and Companies - Industry Segment Outlook, Market Assessment, Competition Scenario, Trends, and Forecast 2023-2032

Report Overview

Super Absorbent Polymer Market size is expected to be worth around USD 16.3 Bn by 2032 from USD 8.2 Bn in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 7.3% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2032.

A material known as a Super Absorbent Polymers Market has a high capacity for absorbing liquids. The aqueous solution's ionic concentration determines how well it retains water. It is a structured polymer with cross-links that prevents dissolution. These kinds of polymers can take in up to 100 times their own weight in liquid. As a result, it is utilized in products that require high absorption characteristics, such as incontinence products and child diapers/nappies.

The Super Absorbent Polymers Market will be driven by rising consumer awareness of health and hygiene and rising demand for sanitary napkins and diapers. The rise in infant diaper pants' popularity and ease of use will impact the market's expansion. The market's expansion will also be fueled by the growing use of super-absorbent polymers in agriculture for irrigation water retention.

Driving factors

Rising Demand for Adult and Baby Diapers

The use of Super Absorbent Polymers Market is on the rise as a result of the rising elderly population and public awareness of the benefits and accessibility of adult incontinence products. In order to prioritize the production of incontinence products, governments of various countries are collaborating with producers and medical professionals.

Government programs that encourage the use of adult incontinence products are available in Germany, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. In addition, the substantial elderly population of nations like Finland, Japan, Greece, and Italy, among others, drives adult diaper market penetration and accelerates Super Absorbent Polymers Market expansion.

Restraining Factors

cost of super-absorbent polymer

Acrylic acid is used to make the Super Absorbent Polymers Market, which is a derivative of propylene because polypropylene is made from petroleum resin. The cost of propylene varies greatly. The price of acryl acid has driven up the cost of Super Absorbent Polymers Market, driving up the cost of finished goods.

By Type Analysis

The improved liquid absorption capacity of sodium polyacrylate makes it dominant in the market.

In 2022 The sodium polyacrylate segment dominated the market with 43% of revenue. A Super Absorbent Polymers Market is an illustration of this. It is a cross-linked (network) polymer made of sodium atoms. Non-toxic, non-corrosive, and non-irritating are the major properties of Super Absorbent Polymers Market.

Polyacrylate/polyacrylamide copolymer, sodium polyacrylate, and other types of Super Absorbent Polymer are available on the market. The majority of Super Absorbent Polymer are available in granular or fiber forms and are composed of sodium polyacrylate. The improved liquid absorption capacity of sodium polyacrylate makes it ideal for hygiene applications, which is predicted to drive the segment's growth.

By Application Analysis

The market is dominated by the personal hygiene segment

In 2022, the personal hygiene sector dominated the application market with 37% market share. Baby diapers, adult incontinence products, and female hygiene products all make use of Super Absorbent Polymer as absorbents. Due to the growing global population of children aged 0 to 14, diapers are one of the main end-use applications for Super Absorbent Polymers Market.

The adult incontinence products market is expected to expand strongly due to the rising geriatric population in North America and Europe. In the coming years, there will likely be a higher demand for female hygiene products due to increased awareness of hygiene issues. It is anticipated that government efforts to promote agricultural applications, particularly in water-scarce regions, will significantly impact the market in the near future.

In addition, Super Absorbent Polymers Market used in agriculture are typically produced by suspension polymerization or solution polymerization of cross-linking agents like potassium or acrylic acids. The polymers created in this manner are referred to as polyacrylates. The swelling capacity and gel modulus of the polymer are significantly influenced by the quantity and type of cross-linker used.

Key Market Segments

Based on Type

• Sodium Polyacrylate
• Polyacrylamide Copolymer
• Other Type

Based on Application

• Personal Hygiene
• Healthcare
• Agriculture
• Other Applications

Growth Opportunity

Innovations in better design of diapers

The gel polymerization (GP) method is currently the most popular method for making super-absorbent polymers from sodium polyacrylate for use in diapers. The Super Absorbent Polymers Market begins as a powder and expands into a gel when exposed to moisture. Because this gel cannot be squeezed dry, it works well for diapers because a baby can sit on it and even sleep for hours wearing a wet diaper. Today's diapers are made with polyacrylic acid. A number of new innovations are being introduced to design better diapers to meet the needs of babies.

Latest Trends

Bio-based super absorbent polymers will create new opportunities

There is a significant contribution to global landfills from today's non-biodegradable, super-absorbent polymers. As a result, it is anticipated that investments in the creation of super-absorbent polymers made from renewable materials will open up new global Super Absorbent Polymers Market opportunities.

Super-absorbent polymers derived from renewable materials serve as alternatives to petrochemical-based polymers like potassium polyacrylate and sodium polyacrylate, which are currently utilized in the absorbent core of disposable diapers and other products for personal hygiene.

Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific dominated the market with the help of developing economies like India and China.

Developing economies like India and China dominated the Asia Pacific market in 2022 with a significant share. Diapers and other personal hygiene products are experiencing rapid growth in the region as a result of the region's growing population, rising disposable income, and rising awareness of baby health. In addition, the region's untapped markets for baby diapers, such as Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia, are expected to grow, driving demand for super-absorbent polymers.

In 2022, Europe held a sizable market share, accounting for more than a quarter of the total. Due to its high capacity for water absorption and retention, manufacturers of baby diapers are driving the market's expansion. Over the past few years, there has been some growth in the market. The European Super Absorbent Polymers Market is being driven primarily by a shift in lifestyle and an increase in online shopping.

The North American market is expanding due to rising demand from various application segments like agriculture, industrial, personal hygiene, and medical. The primary factors behind the rise in demand for baby diapers, which is expected to propel the market's expansion over the forecast period, are rising awareness of child health and hygiene and high living standards. Over the course of the forecast period, it is anticipated that technological advancements that result in superior product properties, like a low number of diaper-related issues and a high absorption rate, will play a significant role in shaping the regional market.

Key Regions and Countries

North America

• US
• Canada
• Mexico

Western Europe

• Germany
• France
• The UK
• Spain
• Italy
• Portugal
• Ireland
• Austria
• Switzerland
• Benelux
• Nordic
• Rest of Western Europe

Eastern Europe

• Russia
• Poland
• The Czech Republic
• Greece
• Rest of Eastern Europe

APAC

• China
• Japan
• South Korea
• India
• Australia & New Zealand
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• Thailand
• Vietnam
• Rest of APAC

Latin America

• Brazil
• Colombia
• Chile
• Argentina
• Costa Rica
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• Algeria
• Egypt
• Israel
• Kuwait
• Nigeria
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Turkey
• United Arab Emirates
• Rest of MEA

Key Players Analysis

Key businesses are exerting significant efforts to expand Super Absorbent Polymers Market share and establish a foothold in developing economies. These measures include developing products with superior qualities, expanding their network, introducing multiple brands, and utilizing fervent marketing strategies to reach customers. Throughout the forecast, the demand for Super Absorbent Polymers Market is anticipated to rise in response to manufacturers' increasing investments in innovation capabilities.

Top Key Players in Super Absorbent Polymer Market

• BASF SE
• Formosa Plastics Corporation
• Sanyo Chemical Industries
• SDP Global Co., Ltd.
• Songwon Industrial Co., Ltd.
• Evonik Industries AG
• KAO Corporation
• Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.
• Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co. Ltd.
• Yixing Danson Technology
• Satellite Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
• Tramfloc Inc.
• SOCO Chemical
• Wanhua
• Other Key Players

Recent Development

• In March 2021, An investment of USD 30.1 million was made by BASF for the development of a new excellence center. To improve innovation capabilities for its super absorbent polymer business, BASF will build a cutting-edge Super absorbents Excellence Center at its Verbund location in Antwerp, Belgium.
• In April 2021, Nippon Shokubai is investing more heavily in the super-absorbents industry as Evonik considers quitting the business. It is combining with Sanyo Chemical, a different polymer manufacturer in Japan, in a deal that they anticipate will be completed.

Report Scope: