Global Cellulose Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Global Cellulose Market Size

The global cellulose market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1% during the period 2024-2032. Cellulosic materials have several applications in thermo-reversible and tenable hydrogels, coating additives, paper making, flexible screens, food packaging, optically transparent films and lightweight materials for ballistic protection, automobile windows, etc. North America, Europe and Asia are expected to be key markets.

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Global Market Likely to be Driven by Applications of Cellulose Across Sectors

Cellulose shows advantages over synthetic fibres displays potential to take the place of fossil-based materials known to damage the environment. Common applications of cellulose include packaging, electronics and printing, and healthcare materials. A key element in all plants, cellulose is possibly the most abundant organic compound on earth. While cellulose is present in all parts of a plant, it varies in content from part to part; for example, it is present in higher quantities in a plant’s stem than in leaves. Other sources of cellulose include wood, annual crops, residual agricultural waste, marine animals (tunicates), algae, fungi, bacteria, invertebrates and amoeba.

Cellulose is insoluble in water and majority of organic solvents. It shows good chemical stability, biocompatibility, mechanical properties, hydrophilic and biodegradation properties. The structural and physical properties of cellulose have drawn significant attention for multiple applications, including films, packaging, paper, building and coating materials, advanced materials, food, drugs and flexible electronics. Nanocrystalline cellulose (also known as cellulose nanocrystals), nanofibrillated cellulose (or cellulose nanofibrils), bacterial cellulose and cellulose nanobeads are the four types of cellulose in the nano-range Microcrystalline cellulose (a kind of commercially available cellulose) has applications in pharmaceuticals and the food industry; it is also used as starting material to manufacture nanocellulose.

Innovative Applications of Cellulose Expected to Boost Global Cellulose Industry

In this day and age, with environmental issues and circular economy gaining much attention, significant efforts are being made towards innovative applications employing natural fibres. Cellulose may have an important role in such applications. One such application is extraction of cellulose from wastepaper which is a probable source of cellulose. However, recycling wastepaper results in shorter fibre length, giving lower grade paper. Nevertheless, cellulose thus obtained from wastepaper could be employed in multiple applications. Cellulose nanocrystals extracted from wastepaper is suitable for food packaging applications.

Cellulose-based materials are commonly used in the packaging sector as wrapping materials, containers, primary and secondary packages, and in flexible and rigid packaging. Cellulose in packaging offers advantages including being lightweight, economical, biodegradable and sustainable. Cellulose fibres can be obtained from agricultural waste to manufacture biodegradable composites with good mechanical properties for packaging.

Carboxymethyl cellulose is used for regulated drug release in nanocomposite applications.

Multiple Applications of Cellulose Based Materials Expected to Stimulate Global Cellulose Market

Companies offer key applications of cellulose-based materials. For example, Daicel introduces major applications of cellulose acetate, including Tri-acetyl cellulose or cellulose triacetate (TAC) film, cellulose acetate plastics, cosmetics and healthcare, membranes for water treatment, acetate fibres, film base for photographic films, etc.

Cellulose triacetate is used in optical films such as protective films for LCD polarizing panels employed in LCD TVs, mobile phones, and notebook computers. Cellulose acetate also shows significant potential in light of advances in optical imaging technology.

Natural cellulose (such as cotton linter and wood pulp) is used to produce cellulose acetate plastics, making the sheets gentle on the skin and less allergenic. As compared to petroleum-based resins, the sheets are more transparent, enabling the expression of vivid colours. Further, processed parts manufactured with the material are easy to polish, cut as bend and twist as it begins to deform at around 60 ⁰C, rendering it appropriate for processing the unique curves of eyeglass frames.

Cellulose acetate is gentle to humans and the environment; it exhibits smooth texture and good spreadability, and is used in cosmetics and healthcare products.

The surface of cellulose acetate membranes with outstanding hydrophilicity are resistant to dirt, and can maintain high permeability with stability. The "Cellulose acetate hollow fiber ultrafiltration membrane module" has been taken up by several water purification plants, and enables high-quality drinking water.

Acetate fibre textile has a silky lustre and feel, displays superior water absorption and hygroscopicity, and offers an optimum material for comfortable clothing. Additionally, acetate tow, a mesh structure comprising acetate fibres, is used in cigarette filters.

Cellulose acetate is suitable as a base film for photographic and X-ray films due to outstanding transparency and surface smoothness.

Global Cellulose Industry Segmentation

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By source, the market is segmented into:

• Natural (further broken down by type as given below)
  • Crops
  • Fruits
  • Tree Wood
• Synthetic

By derivative type, the market is classified into:

• Commodity Cellulose Pulp
• Cellulose Fibres 
• Cellulose Ethers
• Cellulose Esters
• Microcrystalline Cellulose 
• Nanocellulose
• Others

By purity, the market is divided into:

• Above 95% 
• 85%- 95%
• Below 85%

By end use, the market is classified into:

• Food
• Pharmaceuticals
• Paper and Pulp
• Cosmetics
• Textile 
• Others

By region, the market is segmented into:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

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Key Industry Players in the Global Cellulose Industry

The report presents a detailed analysis of the following key players in the market, looking into their capacity, and latest developments like capacity expansions, plant turnarounds, and mergers and acquisitions:

• International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (Dupont De Nemours, Inc.)
• Eastman Chemical Company
• Daicel Corporation
• MACHEREY-NAGEL GmbH & Co. KG
• Celanese Corporation
• Others

The EMR report gives an in-depth insight into the industry by providing a SWOT analysis as well as an analysis of Porter’s Five Forces model.

Key Highlights of the Report

Cellulose Market Report Snapshots

Cellulose Market Size

Cellulose Companies